Ron & Catherine Tijerina
About the founders
About the founders
Ron & Cathy’s Story
In September of 1991, I was twenty-four years old when I found myself Trying to explain to my two and four year old sons why Daddy didn’t come home that day. “Prison” was a new word to define for my sons – a word that toddlers should not even know – yet here I was trying desperately to provide an explanation to them that would make sense without completely robbing them of their innocence. We were so sure that Ron was not going to be convicted of a crime he did not commit we had not even thought about telling our sons anything.
Now, as I sat alone on the floor of our house, holding my sobbing, frightened children, I wondered how on earth our young family was going to make it through that night – let alone the next 14-25 years my husband was just sentenced.
Little did I know that the devastation I felt as I walked out of the court house alone that day was just the beginning of a journey of pain, shame, disappointment and social shunning that my husband’s incarceration had created for my children and me. My sons and I had joined the leagues of forgotten victims; the families of the incarcerated. I searched everywhere for help. I knew from the number of people who filled the prison visiting rooms that we were not alone in our plight, and yet I could not find a single support group or program offered to help families and children of the incarcerated.
The fact that Ron had not committed the crime for which he was incarcerated provided little comfort to us, as we fought to stay together as a family with no outside support. We soon realized the loss and grief my sons suffered was simply beyond the grasp of society, and that the world has little use for the families of felons and ex-offenders.
The fact that Ron had not committed the crime for which he was incarcerated provided little comfort to us, as we fought to stay together as a family with no outside support. We soon realized the loss and grief my sons suffered was simply beyond the grasp of society, and that the world has little use for the families of felons and ex-offenders.
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.

building a legacy of strong families
Our Mission
“To establish a path of honor, discipline, and integrity; by way of education, motivation, and inspiration; in order to lead families into a future defined by hope, peace, and righteousness for generations to come.”
Stay Connected
Visit tyro.blog for inspirational stories from the Founders of TYRO and The RIDGE Project, Ron and Cathy Tijerina, as well as stories and content from industry leaders.
Upcoming Events
April 22 - RIDGE Gala
5:30 – 8:30 PM- Come find out more about how you can help us continue to provide support to those that are ready to build positive futures for themselves and their families.