Atlantic Cares Supports Seamark Ranch

 
Tens of thousands of children grow up in the foster care system in Florida, often moved around so much they are unable to heal from trauma caused by family crises. It may seem too big of a problem to tackle privately, but Seamark Ranch was founded for such causes.  

Seamark Ranch was founded as an answer to fill the need for a safe place for traumatized foster care children to heal.

“The word ‘Seamark’ means a beacon or a lighthouse,” said interim CEO Chris Shee. “The way I like to think of it is we are this beacon of shining light for the kids to know ‘this is where the safe harbor is in these rough seas.’ That’s what we are to these children.”  

Founded in 2001, Seamark Ranch is a Christian home and family system set on a 465-acre site that includes a working farm community, specialized residential school and family home model for children from families in crisis.  

Seamark Ranch welcomed its first children in 2007, and has since helped 177 children with its home, school and childcare programs. Foster children ages 10 to 16 are welcome to join the ranch while going through therapy.  

This work is why Seamark Ranch was chosen as a recipient of the Atlantic Cares program donation given monthly by Atlantic Logistics.    

The number one priority, Shee said, is to help the children strengthen their faith in Jesus. Seamark offers care for children suffering from all kinds of struggles, from molestation to physical or emotional abuse.  

“One of our main goals is to reunify, because every child wants to be with their family,” Shee said. “We work with not only the kids but their parents to provide therapy and counseling so … we can have a reunification if that is the most appropriate thing to do.”  

Seamark Ranch is a working farm, which allows children to care for animals, work the soil, grow crops and other outdoor activities in a safe environment. A robust equine therapy program allows children to care for and ride Seamark horses and learn many skills, including empathy, confidence and problem solving. A school, counseling and childcare are also available.

Federally funded foster homes often “age-out" children when they turn 18. But because Seamark Ranch is privately funded, the facility can keep children past age 18 if need be. One current resident turned18 in November but doesn’t graduate high school until May, and he still lives at the Ranch.

Seamark Ranch has four homes led by “Houseparents” who provide Seamark children with a stable, two-parent household, family meals and stability. Two more homes are currently under construction. 

New CEO Nathan Stanley, who Shee describes as an “absolute rockstar,” recently took over Seamark Ranch, but Shee remains involved as a home builder. Working at Seamark Ranch helped him find Jesus too, Shee said. He and his wife were married on property, and he was even baptized in its creek.  

Moving forward, Shee said Seamark Ranch needs more full-time house parents and relief parents (house parents get one weekend off a month) the most. Seamark Ranch is also working to increase its "lightkeepers program” monthly donations of steady income, as well as corporate sponsors.  

“You have to have places for kids in need to grow, heal and understand unconditional love, not only from their house parents but from the Lord,” Shee said. “One thing we know is that Jesus always has a plan. That’s why bringing them to Jesus is so important. There’s so much healing in what our Father provides us.”  

Click here to donate or to read more about Seamark Ranch.

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