Within prison walls, your community, across the street and throughout the world, we are keeping families together.
Who We Are
At The RIDGE Project, we believe strong families produce strong and healthy children who will then pass that legacy on to future generations. We are in the business of rescuing families who others have deemed disposable. No family is ever disposable! Read more
Our Mission
"To Lead Families Into a Future Defined by Hope, Peace, and Righteousness for Generations to Come."
Our Programs
Based on the Tijerina family’s personal experience with welfare and incarceration (in and out of prison), TYRO was created out of Ron and Cathy Tijerina’s journey to overcome impossible odds and succeed as a Family.
Our programs equip individuals with the life skills they need to be responsible parents and partners, better communicators, reliable employees, and positive role models. TYRO is a holistic, multi-faceted character-building program, designed to strengthen individuals and families. The word TYRO is Latin, meaning novice, apprentice, or someone learning something new. TYRO teaches participants how to overcome destructive generational cycles that oftentimes tear families apart and keep individuals stuck in patterns of defeat.
TYRO YOUTH
In TYRO Youth, adolescents participate in award-winning programs. These include writing their autobiography, Vision Board, Mission Statement and Family Crest. During the class, the students learned self-control and complete a Fast.
After completion , participants receive a certificate and have earned the right to be called “TYRO”.
TYRO DADS
This character development program focuses on the family by Breaking Cycles of Incarceration and Connecting Prisoners with Their Families.
TYRO has become an international brand that to equips individuals, institutions and organizations with skills they need to be responsible parents and partners, better communicators, reliable employees, and positive role models.
TYRO LEADERSHIP
TYRO Leadership is a nationally known and award-winning curriculum that equips participants to achieve their highest potential.
TYRO teaches participants responsibility, and prepares participants to live a life of honor and integrity. Through TYRO Participants increase their emotional intelligence, self-image and how they view their relationships.
TIJERINA TRIUMPH TIPS
Our founders, Ron and Cathy Tijerina are passionate about building strong families. Join them on social media to:
- Be better communicators
- Improve talking and listening skills
- Seek collaborative conflict resolution and manage anger
- Build satisfying relationships with family, friends, and coworkers
Join Ron and Cathy Tijerina with special guest Kimberly Dent, Executive Director Ohio Commission on Fatherhood Ohio.
Kimberly will be discussing some of the ways Ohio is working to support incarcerated and returning citizens.
Click here to watch this event.
2020 brings Celebration: Building Community With People
TYRO is pleased to announce that 100% of the grants submitted for adult programming utilizing TYRO in 2020 have been awarded. Grants ranging from $730,000 – $15,000,000, totaling over $25 million, to be dispersed over the next five years in service of our nation’s most fragile families.
TYRO brings in over 25 million dollars to help families
- These grants, which stem from different departments within the state, local, and federal government, are providing the resources necessary for TYRO Partners—including ANTHEM Strong Families, Friends Outside, THE RIDGE Project, and TYRO Atlanta—to work directly with incarcerated fathers and their families.
- These funds provide the vital support needed to bring the proven TYRO approach to some of the nation’s most fragile families in Ohio, Texas, Georgia, and California, transforming their lives by building stability, opportunity, resilience, and hope for generations to come. The men who emerge from TYRO programs become leaders in their homes, their families, and their communities.
- Celebrating 20 years this year, The Ridge Project is a Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk families. Launched in Ohio where Co-Founder Ron Tijerina was once incarcerated, the project has grown to include partner organizations in 13 states and two international partners. Working directly with incarcerated individuals and their families, we empower individuals to cultivate honor, integrity, and self-discipline, and to pass that legacy of strength onto their children through committed parental relationships.
- We are honored to stand alongside these high-performing organizations as they bring transformation to the people in their communities every single day, and we are grateful and humbled to be entrusted with the financial resources that make the work possible.
Real Outcomes
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TYRO 3-year recidivism rate
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Commitment to Fatherhood
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Hopefulness for the Future
Evidence-based
TYRO restores families, reduces recidivism for incarcerated individuals, and equips men and women with job-readiness skills. Our programs attack the culture of entitlement and empowers individuals to reinvent themselves.
"Serving thousands in prisons"
Leading Families Into A Future of Hope & Peace
" I love The Ridge Project and all they stand for. Each staff I have met was not only kind but motivated and believe in their mission. I am beyond grateful that organizations like theirs exist to make the future better..."
SHERRI ROCHESTER
"The Ridge Project helped me out in more ways than I can express. I am very proud to say I am a man worth following to several people: a special thank you to: Brad, Japhet, Ron and Catherine, I am proud to be a Tyro/Warrior..."
JAMES SOLES
" I am a Tyro! During one of the toughest times in my life, a time of great setback, disappointment, disaster, and discouragement the Tyro family came along side me, brought me in, and made me a part of something bigger..."
JOSEPH CROCKETT
"I came a long way from making bad choices for worst out comes to having the life that i always dreamed of. When I wanted to give up the program helped me make better choices for myself and better a relationship with my Children..."
RAY CARTAGINO
Such an amazing thing you guys do, really gives family hope. And its nice to know there are such good people who stand behind our inmates and faith in them, also keeping them with high hopes. Keep up the amazing work!!
EMILY WALLACE
WHAT IS TYRO MOMS?
Join us for a A journey to overcome seemingly impossible odds …learn more
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We are hiring!
We are an industry leader in the human services field, specializing in Youth Intervention, Fatherhood, Healthy Relationship, Healthy Family, and Workforce Development services.
Donate
By giving to the RIDGE Project, you are investing into our mission to lead families into a future defined by hope, peace, and righteousness for generations to come., not to mention the appreciation.
Cathy's Blog
Cathy's blog is dedicated to helping you & your loved in prison thrive.
One Minute Moto
Join Ron LIVE as he helps you maintain a positive day and build your strong family.
More Testimonials
Real stories of families transformed through the work we do.