New Building Coming Soon:
Youth Outpatient Behavioral Health Services
This project marks a significant step toward building a healthier, more resilient future for youth and families in our local community.
Rancho was awarded $4,197,699 through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 4: Children and Youth. The grant supports the construction of a Youth Outpatient Center on our campus in the Northwest San Fernando Valley, where additional youth-focused mental health and substance use services are critically needed.
The center will expand our current substance use treatment services by providing a space for integrated behavioral health services, including mental health care, substance use treatment, case management, and linkage to additional resources for youth and their families. This initiative responds to urgent community needs, including rising suicide rates and fentanyl overdoses among youth.
Currently, Rancho is awaiting final clearance from the City of Los Angeles to secure the necessary permit to begin construction. Demolition is anticipated in the coming months, with groundbreaking expected by the end of 2025. Construction is projected to take 12–18 months to complete.
Seasons of Change
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Aubree Sweeney, LMFT
One of my favorite songs from the musical RENT is “Seasons of Love.” The chorus asks how we measure a year—“Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes”—and answers: we measure it in love. Brother John taught us that same lesson: to measure time not in milestones or minutes, but in love. As we enter the fall season, a time of reflection and transformation, we also prepare for our upcoming gala honoring Brother John Crowe. It feels fitting—this season of change, this celebration of legacy.
Like clockwork, just before each newsletter is due, an alumnus seems to appear—calling, visiting, or simply reminding us why we do what we do. This time, it was Isaac, a young man I met at Rancho in 2004. Now a devoted father and a man of faith, Isaac shared how Rancho has been a guiding light throughout his life. He recited scripture, spoke of memories, and of a card he once made after losing his father. It read: “Seasons may come and go, but a father will never be forgotten.” Isaac carries that truth with him still—and he carries Brother John’s inspiration too.
He also shared the heartbreak of watching loved ones struggle with addiction. But Isaac chose a different path. He now speaks at his church, offering hope and wisdom to others. He told me that when he feels nervous, he remembers speaking to benefactors as a youth at Rancho—and if he could do that then, he can do anything now. So I invited him to come full circle- to be our alumni speaker at the very dinner where it all began. Please join us on Saturday, December 6, 2025, as we celebrate the holiday season and honor Isaac’s journey at the annual Benefactor Dinner.
Later, standing beneath a tree with staff—some who knew him then, some meeting him for the first time—Isaac quoted Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” The seasons may change, but our mission remains constant: to guide young men back onto a path of purpose and possibility. Isaac is living proof of this.
Aubree Sweeney, LMFT
BROTHER JOHN’S PRAYER CORNER
In Loving Memory…
THE LOVE FOR equals is a human thing—of friend for friend, brother for brother. It is to love what is loving and lovely. The world smiles.
The love for the less fortunate is a beautiful thing—the love for those who suffer, for those who are poor, the sick, the failures, the unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart of the world.
The love for the more fortunate is a rare thing—to love those who succeed where we fail, to rejoice without envy with those who rejoice, the love of the poor for the rich, of the black man for the white man. The world is always bewildered by its saints.
And then there is the love for the enemy—love for the one who does not love you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The tortured’s love for the torturer. This is God’s love. It conquers the world.
-Originally published in The Magnificent Defeat by Frederick Buechner
RANCHO ALL STAR
Seasons of Change: Isaac’s Rancho Story
When Isaac first arrived at Rancho San Antonio as a teenager, life felt uncertain. Growing up in East Los Angeles, he had faced challenges that left him restless, wounded, and searching for something more. What he found at Rancho was not just a place of care, but a community that opened his mind, encouraged healing, and planted seeds of hope that would guide him long after he left.
Isaac recalls how Rancho helped him learn to think differently, to pause, reflect, and analyze why people act the way they do. “Rancho opened my mind to think outside the box,” he shared. “It gave me the tools to understand that there’s always a reason behind behavior and that healing comes from being open and transparent.”
While he witnessed both triumphs and tragedies during his time in the program, Rancho gave him a safe space to process grief and learn that transparency and vulnerability are powerful steps toward healing.
During his stay, life took an unexpected turn when a relative recognized his name on a pharmacy medication list. This chance discovery connected Isaac with an extended family member who temporarily took him in. Although that chapter came with its own hardships, Isaac reflects with resilience: “There was a lot of healing that took place here [at Rancho]. I learned that even when people let you down, you can keep moving forward.” Ultimately, Rancho remained a constant, a place he could return to and feel supported through challenges.
One of the most impactful experiences for Isaac was his time in the chapel with Brother John. There, he first encountered the message of grace, forgiveness, and redemption. “So many people carry shame for what they’ve done or what was done to them,” Isaac reflected. “At Rancho, I learned the power of letting go of that shame. That changed everything for me.” This newfound faith shaped how Isaac saw himself and his future. It became a cornerstone of his healing and growth as a leader, father, and mentor.
Today, Isaac is a husband and father of three. He embraces fatherhood as both a responsibility and a calling: “I try to teach my kids to always be open, to share, to let things out instead of keeping them inside.” Isaac also uses his experiences to inspire others. He has volunteered as a youth leader in his church and often shares his story publicly. “I tell people, I’m no different than you. If I made it through, so can you. There’s always hope.”
His story is a powerful reminder that healing is not a straight line. It’s a journey of resilience, faith, and community, and Rancho remains a place where lives are transformed and futures are reimagined.
Photo of Isaac as a youth; playing baseball at Rancho San Antonio
Isaac in 2025 with his certificate of completion and trophy.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Rancho’s Back-to-School Drive raised $599.60, surpassing our $500 goal! These funds provided essential supplies like pencils, notebooks, and highlighters, ensuring our youth started the school year prepared, confident, and ready to succeed. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this effort including:
Albert De La Pena
Catherine McMinn
Laura Braunstein
Marisa Capra-Cunningham
Princess Cazzaly
Robert Plassmeyer
Rosalie Brown
Veronica Ortiz-Zarate
Victor Luke
Benefactors List
Rancho is grateful to our friends who contributed from April 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025.
All donations are greatly appreciated. Any omissions are not intentional.
Includes monthly sustainers and in-kind donations.
Alaine Watson
Alicia Fong
Alison Hemmens
American Building Comfort Services, Inc.
American Museum of Natural History
American Symphony Orchestra
American Online Giving Foundation
Ana Greene
Ann and John Shea
Ann Marie Tinsley
Anthony Stella
Antonio Mastroianni
Arthur J. Gallagher & Company
Bacari Restaurants
Barry Wagner
Belmont Park Entertainment
Beverly Bushner
Bill Jeffries
Brian Cavanagh
Brian Edwards
C. Neff
Caren Sawyer
Carl Schack
Carolina and Ray Guillen
Carolyn Hilliard Becker
Casey Corr and Anthony Langford
Catherine McMinn
Chance Theater
Charles Stevenson
Cindy Grant
Classic Chevys Of Southern CA
Colleen Gulbranson
Connecting A Caring Community
Coronado Playhouse
Councilmember John Lee
Damian Foley
DAOU Winery
Dennis Irving
Desert Adventures
Desert Princess Country Club
Diane Lao
Donna Stinauer
Dr. Carol and Dr. Carolyn Bloch
Drury Hotels
Eleanor Rosa
Elite Island Resorts
Erendria Ortiz
Evan Burse
Five Guys Operations, LLC
Frances Greenspan
Frances Magalang
Frank and Marianne Wilson
Frank Tucci
Friese Foundation
Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary
Gabriel and Phyllis Kalenian
George and Laura Braunstein
George and Veronique Zaki
Georgia and Steve Altmayer
Golden Nugget Laughlin
Goodwin Family Memorial Trust
Gregory and Deb Lefevre
Hans Herman
Harry Johnson
Harvey and Dolores Marsh
Heather Jenkins and Steve Dey
Helen Murphy
Hiller Aviation Museum
Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
Hughes Brothers Theatre
Irvine Park Railroad
James and Judy McKay
Janet O’Connor
Jeanne and John Monaghan
Jeannie and Ronald Piekunka
Jerome Fischer
Joe and Elena Preciado
Joe Hemmens
John Martin
Jonathan Wilson
Judy Beer
Kathleen and Robert Klope
Kathie Saravia & Deborah Bloomquist
Keith Wieser
Kelly and John Steiner
Ken Oplinger and Diana Stein
Knights of Columbus #3601
Knights of Columbus #3744
Knights of Columbus #4039
Knights of Columbus #14660
Knights of Columbus #15874
Kristine Koehler
LA Arboretum
LADWP Employees’ Association
Liza Parilla
Long Beach Playhouse
Loretta Allen
Los Angeles Conservancy
Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc.
Los Robles Greens
Marilou Perez
Marty Schneider
Mary and Anthony Aveta-Giangrasso
Mary Jones
Mary Lou and Robert Vanderlip
Melville Winery
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa
Musical Theatre West
Mutual of America
Myra Whitney
Nancy Brown
Newport Landing
Nick Hoogoian
Olivia Kelly
Pablo and Maria Ulloa
Pala Mesa Golf & Resort
Palms Casino Resort
Patricia Carney
Patricia Hawkins
Patty Sciuto
Paul and Ofelia Corsa
Peter and Marie Ferry
Princess Cazzaly
Randy Gist
Renee Viray
Richard Hansen
Robert and Janet DeLeo
Robert Quon
Robert Volpe
Robert and Kathryn Radford
Robin Flowers
Roger Lamer
Rojo Corp
Rosalie Brown
RPS Monument
Ryan Patterson
S & K Romofsky
S. Russell Edwards
Saul and Jackie Rodriguez
Security of Los Angeles (SOLA)
Selina Mendoza
Shark Demolition, Inc.
Sheila Spence
Sherman Oaks Castle Park
Shirley Weinbeck
Sohyung Park
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)
Steamboat NATCHEZ
Sue Opdyke
Susan Johnson
Susan Silva
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
The Legacy Golf Club
The Palace Hotel
Thomas, Michael & Olivia Hemmens
Timothy Sweetland
Toni Hertz
Valerie Vogler
Valley Salt Cave
Verde Canyon Railroad
Victoria Berman
VJB Cellars
Walt & V. Petrovsky
Wellington Cellars
West Valley Chapter NLYM
Wiens Cellars
Wine Country to Coast
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
The following donations were made to Rancho as tributes
In honor/memory of
Lucy Guido
Antonio Mastroianni
In honor/memory of
Father Mac
Barry Wagner
In honor/memory of
Rose Huddleston
Brian Edwards
In honor/memory of
Carole Camerota
Caren Sawyer
In honor/memory of
Carl Fischer
Loretta Allen
In honor/memory of
Joseph and Marie Saliger
Marilou Perez
In honor/memory of
Edward H. Pence
Mary Jones
In honor/memory of
Knights of Columbus of Pasadena, Council #1174
Richard Hansen
In honor/memory of
Rose Huddleston
Russell Edwards
In honor/memory of
Edith Sullivan
Toni Hertz
The following donors purchased bricks
from April 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025
Alaine Watson
Alicia Fong
Casey Corr and Anthony Langford
Councilmember John Lee
Frank and Marianne Wilson
Georgia and Steve Altmayer
Harry Johnson
Helen Murphy
James and Judy McKay
Jeannie and Ronald Piekunka
John Martin
Knights of Columbus #15874
Knights of Columbus #3601
Myra Whitney
Patty Sciuto
Roger Lamer
Rosalie Brown
Saul and Jackie Rodriguez
Sheila Spence
When Life Gives You Lemons
On August 27, Creative Healing Arts hosted a Heal and Be Heard event centered on the theme When Life Gives You Lemons. In the weeks leading up to the event, youth explored the deeper meaning of the phrase, reflecting on the “lemons” they’ve faced and how they’ve transformed struggle into strength.
Rancho kicked things off with a “Strengths Draft,” where youth selected personal strengths – like perseverance or leadership – and shared how those qualities were shaped through adversity. All youth crafted “Sour to Power” keychains as symbols of resilience and transformation.
At the showcase, youth presented personal clothing brands designed to inspire positive change and original songs that gave voice to lived experiences. Each dorm also took part in a T-shirt design contest, using fashion and storytelling to bring the theme to life. With strong participation from both youth and staff, the event was a moving celebration of courage, creativity, and community.
Rancho San Antonio’s
LEGACY OF HOPE GALA
A Tribute to Brother John Crowe
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 6 PM
Taglyan Complex in Hollywood
Michaela Pereira
Live & Silent Auctions
Dinner, Music, Awards and Program
Join us in celebrating these two outstanding honorees whose lives
reflect the enduring spirit of Brother John and the mission of Rancho San Antonio.
Award Recipients
Councilmember John Lee has spent his life serving the City of Los Angeles, where he was raised and now represents Council District 12. A dedicated public servant, he is known for his commitment to public safety, support for local organizations, and efforts to improve quality of life across the city. His leadership embodies the values Brother John stood for.
Terrance Turner arrived at Rancho at age 17, carrying the weight of trauma and uncertainty. Through Rancho’s support, he discovered his passion for the culinary arts and transformed his life. Today, Terrance is a successful chef with an international career—and a shining example of what is possible when a young person is given the opportunity to thrive.
Details can be found here: https://ranchosanantonio.org/2025gala
Presenting Sponsor
Diamond Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Underwriting generously provided by
Buy-A-Brick Campaign
Help build a stronger foundation for our youth with a commemorative brick. Your gift will remain a permanent reminder of hope, possibilities, and healing.
Standard Paver Brick
- Size: 6″ x 9″
- Engraving: Helvetica ½”
- Up to 3 lines
- Up to 16 characters per line (including spaces and punctuation)
- Best For: Short names, family name, initials + year, or “In memory of…”
$250.00
Square Paver Brick
- Size: 9″ x 9″
- Engraving: Helvetica ½”
- Up to 4 lines
- Up to 16 characters per line
- Best For: Family dedications, short phrases, alumni messages
$500.00
Premium Paver Brick
- Size: 9″ x 12″
- Engraving: Helvetica 1″
- Up to 5 lines
- Up to 16 characters per line
- Best For: Longer messages, multi-generational dedications, organizations or tributes
$1000.00
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