Ron continually inspired me and encouraged me that we COULD make a difference for all those who came behind us. I believed him, and we took on a new mission beyond just our own family. In 1993, we began with a program we developed called Keeping FAITH (now replaced by our TYRO program).
In this program, Ron mentored other men in prison, while I would meet with and encourage their families on the outside. This was the beginning of the Ridge Project. In 2000, while Ron was still incarcerated, we officially founded the Ridge Project. Ron continued to mentor incarcerated men, while I worked with their families, and I also began an after-school program to help at-risk or struggling youth.
In September of 2006, Ron was released, and within two weeks we were awarded an OFA grant to work within prisons. Shortly after that, we began serving incarcerated fathers and their families. Additionally, demand for our youth services continued to grow. Because the demand for services for the youth and the incarcerated families was so great, Ron and I each agreed to oversee a portion of the programming. Ron led our prison ministry, and I oversaw our youth division.

Today, as co-directors of The RIDGE Project, Ron and I travel throughout Ohio and other states strengthening youth and families and bringing hope and healing to the hopeless and wounded families. Our sons have spoken at schools and events across the country. We work to serve families as well as to educate communities, churches, and policy makers about the importance of abstinence and relationship education within both youth development and re-entry programs.
In addition, we are advocates for those overcoming the culture of incarceration. Together with our staff, we help build and maintain healthy, stable families so children can grow up in safety, having the security of knowing they are loved.