New Perspectives, 2/1997 - Jubilee Fellowship

Jubilee Fellowship currently operates two Christian based programs for struggling adolescents, the Jubilee Youth Ranch and Jubilee Christian School and Academy (JCSA), with students of the Ranch meeting their academic needs through JCSA.

Youth who would most benefit at Jubilee Ranch and Academy are those who have experienced personal, family or educational difficulties, but have not yet become involved heavily in drugs/alcohol or other related activities. However, many students have come from informal diversion programs within the juvenile system. Many of the students’ families are blended, (step-father, step-mother, ect.)and are having confusing relationship difficulties. Jubilee Youth Ranch was founded in 1995 to provide a structured Christian program/school where young people can begin the process of learning how to make new choices and beginnings. The program began with 11 students living in the existing farm houses on the former dry land wheat farm 35 east of Pasco, Washington. In 1996 the expansion of the program really began with future plans to accommodate a total of 200 students, 50% boys and 50% girls. Presently the new dorms were completed to house 50 boys and 50 girls. The boys facility opened in November of 1996 and the girls facility opens January 25, 1997.

The Ranch is a certified boarding school in the state of Washington meeting all applicable educational, fire, health and safety codes. The concept of family is an important component at Jubilee with regular phone calls, letter writing and family visits. Staff members live in the dorms with the students and when parental involvement is unavailable, the ranch staff becomes the extended family, reaching out to support the students.

Academics at the ranch are provided by Jubilee Academy which uses the highly individualized curriculum “School of Tomorrow”. The highly structured program with positive rewards assists students to accelerate their foundation of learning and character growth at the same time. Art, music, sports, computer labs and vocational training round out the program. Blended with the academics are one-to-one ministry, bible studies, chapel services, outreach trips and devotions providing multiple opportunities for the students to learn how to make new and better choices.