Frequently Asked Questions
How Did El Ranchito Get Started?
In 2000, El Ranchito de Los Niños was built by long-time Valencia County residents Mike & Kathy Mechenbier, a successful grass roots ranching and farming family. Through their active philanthropic efforts they recognized a need for more long-term homes for children whose parents could not care for them. They saw a growing and heartbreaking population of children being placed in temporary foster homes or institutional environments where sibling groups are often separated, and their families were continually disrupted. With this information, Mike and Kathy saw the importance and the need for a home that focuses on keeping brothers and sisters together in a nurturing, caring environment.
Who Is Ranchito de los Ninos?
El Ranchito was built to create a permanent, stable home for siblings where they can grow into adulthood together. It is a safe, loving home where children thrive in a supportive, family farm setting. The rural locale teaches the children how to care for animals (dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, Ginny pigs, goats and chickens), how to respect nature, and creates a well-rounded, more compassionate individual. Each child at El Ranchito receives individualized attention with their educational needs, social and personal development (such as 4-H, Boys & Girls Scouts and church organizations) and life skills.
Children need a permanent stable home where they are loved unconditionally. While we all recognize that a home with two loving parents is the goal, the reality often falls short. The ultimate goal is to offer as many children as possible a home of their own in which to grow, creating a childhood filled with stability and love.
How is El Ranchito de los Ninos is Unique in the Community?
Through their philanthropic efforts, the founders also recognized the specific needs of children that were not being met by other organizations. Based on these needs, El Ranchito developed these services:
• El Ranchito is the only Children’s Home that focuses specifically on keeping siblings together and families connected.
• El Ranchito is only one of the few Children’s Homes in New Mexico that accepts children under the age of six.
• A low 6-to-1 caregiver-to-child ratio allows individualized care and attention to our children.
• El Ranchito provides an apartment for children to return for visits once they have begun their own lives after El Ranchito.
Where is the Home Located?
The home is located in rural Tomé, New Mexico, 30 minutes south of Albuquerque.
How is the Home Designed?
The home is designed for 16 children with a boys’ and girls’ wing consisting of four bedrooms in each wing. House parents live in an apartment that is attached to each wing so the house parents are nearby should any child need them. The home includes a large kitchen and dining room where the family gathers for meals. The home also has a guest suite for visitors or the children when they come to visit once they have begun their own adult lives. In the center of the home there is a large, but cozy, living room where the children watch movies, read and welcome visitors. A playground, barns, corrals, animals of all kinds, gardens, cornfields, and an orchard surround the home. The home is complete with handicapped accessible bedrooms and bathrooms.
Who is Eligible?
All children and sibling groups, ages 0-18 (infants-18), are considered for admission to the home. Our preference is for an entire sibling group to be placed in the home. We do not discriminate against any child based on age, gender, race, national origin, religion or disability. All applicants are evaluated by a screening committee in order to determine if our home is the correct placement for them, and that both the children and the home complement each other.
How is the Home Funded?
El Ranchito is funded solely by generous donors that believe in our mission. The home does not receive funding from any county, city, state or federal entities. The home is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization funded by donations made from private sources including individuals, churches, civic groups, businesses, corporations and foundations.
Who is the Home Licensed by and how is the Home Governed?
The home is licensed by the State of New Mexico, Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). The home is also certified by the New Mexico Christian Child Care Association. Standards and guidelines for both are adhered to and monitored annually. The home is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who approves policy and procedure, oversees the financial aspects of the home, and participates in development and fund-raising efforts.
How does El Ranchito Operate?
El Ranchito has live-in house parents who help meet our goal of providing a stable home and family environment. House parents wake the children each morning, tuck them in at night, attend their sports games, watch their performances in school activities and participate in a variety of activities with the children. With a large core of volunteers to support the house parents, we are truly a community home. Each child assumes responsibility for various tasks required to keep the home running smoothly. Each child is expected to keep his/her room clean and tidy. Together, the children and house parents take care of responsibilities at the home including animal care, landscaping, gardening, general maintenance, meal preparation, laundry, to name a few chores. We value education, personal responsibility and personal growth, as well as charitable giving to others. The following are the guidelines and basis for how the children are raised.
Not only do we value the children here at El Ranchito but we recognize the importance of keeping the biological families of the children who have come to live here. We diligently try to keep our children connected to their families by helping with family visits and fostering their cultural heritage.
How are the Educational Needs of the Children Met?
As we feel strongly that education is the key to the future success of our children, we emphasize its importance to all of our children. El Ranchito de los Niños' house parents work closely with the local schools to be certain that each child's educational needs are being met. Tutoring is provided to those needing special help, and we make every effort to tailor each child's educational plan to their needs. After our children graduate from high school, all efforts are made to ensure that they pursue post-secondary or vocational education depending on their individual goals, talents, desires and dreams.
Does El Ranchito Have any Religious Affiliations?
Although our house parents are of various faiths, the home is non-denominational. To respect and preserve the individual heritage of our children, El Ranchito de los Niños supports each child in their desire to practice their individual beliefs. In order for our children to grow in faith, we encourage each child to attend religious services on a weekly basis and encourage additional involvement with church youth activities. Additionally, we educate and inform our children on the history of religion, the many practicing faiths and ceremonial traditions. For this endeavor, we enlist community members and other available resources.
How is Personal Growth for Each Child Attained?
In addition to teaching responsibility in family living through chores, El Ranchito hopes to offer many activities to our children. These include 4-H, youth groups, team/individual sports, the arts, music, dance, computer/technology skills development, cooking, cultural education, and development through family trips to local museums, theater and other places of interest. We also encourage our children to volunteer with other organizations and give back to the community that has helped them in so many ways. Whatever talents surface and requests are made, we do our best to provide the outlet for developing those talents and dreams.
