Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado Canyon unveiled a new technology center, funded by a $100,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
The Double R Ranch is a functioning horse and livestock ranch that offers the formerly homeless served by the faith-based rescue mission “redemption and restoration” — where the Double R comes from — through vocational training and retreat programs. Along with job training and life skills education to achieve long-term employment, its residents have access to recreational facilities, including an indoor gym and horseback riding lessons.
The horse corral at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The kitchen and dinning room at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 will house visiting family members. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cathy Rich of the Orange County Rescue Mission at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lake Forest Mayor Mark Tettemer at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Serenity House at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 will house visiting family members. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The men’s transitional housing at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. The new Success Center is on the bottom floor. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The living room at Serenity House at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 will house visiting family members. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The bedrooms at Serenity House at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 will house visiting family members. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The raised garden at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The recreation center at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A common room at Serenity House at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 will house visiting family members. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The kitchen at Serenity House at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 will house visiting family members. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Double R Construction Training Center at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The bedroom in the men’s transitional housing at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The bedroom in the men’s transitional housing at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The bedroom in the men’s transitional housing at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The fitness center at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The recreation center at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The hallway for the men’s transitional housing at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The horse corral at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bryan Crain, president and CEO of Orange County Rescue Mission speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chanelle Hawken, of Cox Communications, uses scissors to cut the ribbon held by Bryan Crain, left, of the Orange County Rescue Mission, and Colleen Dillaway of Cox during a ceremony to open the new Success Center at Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Louie Perez, a resident at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Louie Perez, left, a resident at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chanelle Hawken, vice president of government and public affairs for Cox Communications at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch Success Center in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Representatives from the Orange County Rescue Mission and Cox Communications tour the new Success Center at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The horse corral at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Double R Ranch in Silverado on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Named the “Success Center,” the new technology room features 20 computers, a modern amenity in the rural setting essential for those experiencing homelessness to achieve financial stability, ranch officials said.
“We want to get (residents) on a path of career development, but we need vocational training, which needs certifications and proficiency tests. But that can’t happen without the Success Center,” said Cathy Rich, Double R Ranch grant writer.
Chanelle Hawken, assistant vice president of Cox Communications, spoke to the company’s long-time partnership with the Tustin-based Orange County Rescue Mission.
“We have been partners for over 25 years, so it’s really awesome being able to make a bigger impact,” said Hawken. The foundation is named for the founder of parent company Cox Enterprises. “Being able to take classes or to visit a licensed clinical social worker online, the Success Center provides a great opportunity for people to get the skills to get a job and be self-sufficient.”
Double R Ranch was established in 2005 in San Diego County by the Orange County Rescue Mission, a Christian-based nonprofit that provides housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The ranch was moved to Silverado, converting a former monastery acquired by the rescue mission, and in September began housing its first eight individuals at the new location. Spanning 33 acres, it has since expanded to house 24 men. The ranch is undergoing further renovations to add 60,000 square feet of facilities and 141 beds to shelter women, children, senior citizens, and other individuals experiencing homelessness by early 2025.
Louie Perez is one of the original eight men who moved into the Double R Ranch last year.
“(It is important) to have the beauty of nature and modern technology combined, so that some person, like myself, can develop,” Perez said at the opening ceremony Tuesday.
Perez, who calls the ranch “grandma’s house,” said while he loves the location tucked away in Silverado Canyon, he doesn’t plan to stay indefinitely.
“Trust me, I’ve thought about it. Who would want to leave this place?” he said. “But it is a place to set a good foundation.”
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