These eight areas are:

1.        Character Building

2.        Work Ethic

3.        Vocational Training

4.        Academics

5.        Spirituality

6.        Life Skills

7.        Emotional Health

8.        Transition into Independence 

      The first seven areas of our program above are provided at Broken Shackle Ranch in Davisboro, Ga. and are designed to help students develop the traits needed to obtain a good job and the skills needed to move up.  The final “transitional” step is provided in Augusta, Ga.; students in the ILP program live in a large house with BSR staff Stanley & Sue Moffett.  They are supervised the Moffetts and are expected to get jobs, continue their educations, and live according to what they are taught while at the ranch.

1. Character Building-  Helping our students involves more than simply helping them change their habits; it also involves a complete change in attitude, perspective, and their way of thinking.  The staff at BSR does this through weekly counseling sessions, daily teachings and devotionals, and scheduled peer group talks.  Students are also “mentored” by other students who have been in the program longer and have proven themselves as trustworthy leaders.  Beyond staff and peer counseling, BSR students are also held responsible for their attitudes and actions, both negative and positive.  A set of rules is presented to every student upon admission and they are expected to follow these rules.  If they choose to break the rules, they are held accountable for that action and must go through “restriction,” which is basically being grounded for a certain number of days. 

2. Work Ethics-  Many of our students come to BSR with little or no work ethic.  Therefore, our program consists of daily work schedules for all students.  BSR instructors work with students and help them develop both the confidence and determination that employers are looking for in their work force.  With constant positive instruction and motivation, we find that students soon want to do a good job in whatever they’re working on.

3.  Vocational Training-  BSR is not just a youth home; we are also an educational institution.  All of our students will be placed in one of our vocational areas in order to learn valuable vocational skills, develop a work ethic, and learn to get along with co-workers and authority figures.  These vocational training areas include:

1)       Cabinetry  (NCCER Certified)

2)       Welding  (NCCER Certified)

3)       Construction  (NCCER Certifited)

4)       Auto Mechanics

5)       Landscaping

Students can earn certification in these areas through both Broken Shackle Ranch and the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), an accredited institution of higher education.  The credits earned at BSR in an NCCER-based trade will transfer to any vocational or technical school in the country.

4. Academics-  An education, both academic and vocational, is the most important part of a young man’s preparation for adulthood.  Many of our students find it difficult to focus in a regular classroom setting, or have simply not been given the one-on-one attention they need to achieve their goals in school.  At BSR, one of our major requirements for graduation is for every student to earn his General Educational Development Diploma (GED).  We have morning and afternoon classes so that our students can be broken down into smaller groups and given the individual attention they need and deserve.  They are allowed to work at their own pace, while still being motivated and encouraged in their work.  Once a student earns his GED, he is given the opportunity to continue in a higher level of learning by attending college or vocational schools at the Omega House, BSR's independent living program in Augusta, Ga.   

5. Spirituality-  The BSR program is based on the values and morals taught by the life of Jesus Christ.  The staff members are devoted to teaching by both example and counsel, with daily Bible studies and working with students and exhibiting what has been taught.  In teaching about Christianity, our students learn that they are loved and accepted for who they are, regardless of what they did or were before they came to BSR.  Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but their sins have been wiped clean through Christ’s sacrifice and they are accepted and loved.  With teachings geared toward love and acceptance, students learn that there is hope for change in their lives.  Students are also mentored by their peers, older students who have seen God work in their lives and can testify to new students.  Mentors also serve as guides in the program itself, helping new students to fit in and giving them support as they work through problems that arise. 

6. Life Skills Training-  Young men at BSR are expected to learn how to live independently.  This includes learning to take care of a living area or environment.  Students must clean their rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens in their living areas.  Beds must be made, closets  orderly, and bathrooms clean.  This area also deals with peer interaction; students must learn to live with others in a cooperative manner, whether they’re rooming with friends or with people who have different opinions and characteristics.  Students are assigned to specific living areas based on their program level and overall attitudes.  

7. Emotional Health-  Many of our students come to us with a very disrupted childhood.  The past can be very difficult for a young man to overcome; if left unattended, many of these past disruptions can lead to unhealthy problems in adulthood.  To help our students deal with their emotional problems, BSR offers individual counseling with professional on-staff counselors who speak with their assigned students a minimum of once a week.  We also offer constructive group counseling, including groups on Alcohol & Drug Prevention, Anger Management, and Life Skills Development.  These groups allow students to openly discuss their issues in a safe, nurturing atmosphere with other students who are dealing with the same problems, or perhaps have overcome these problems.  This allows students to see that they are not alone and to help one another find healing.

8. Transition To Independence- Once a student fills the requirements for the ranch program, they have an opportunity to go to the Omega House in Augusta, Ga., committing themselves to the program for six month increments.  At the Omega House, students will live with BSR staff Stanley & Sue Moffett and share general household duties, such as cooking and cleaning.  They will find employment, preferably in their field of vocational study, and/or continue their educations in the area colleges.  Students will learn how to budget their money, plan weekly menus for meals, and how to manage a checking account.  They may also obtain their drivers license if desired, but are not allowed to have vehicles until they’ve completed the program.  All transportation for work and school is provided by Omega House staff members.  Supervision by these staff members is moderate, but can be increased as needed.