In the summer of '76, a thirteen-year-old young man who thought the only thing that life had to offer was abuse, neglect, and beatings from a drunken stepfather arrived at the Ranch on Darden Hill. His life had been a tragic one full of trials and tribulation. There was the event of him and his three brothers burying his mother, with no help from anyone, in the prior summer.


By his second year at the Ranch,he wasn't quite so hard to please. Because, no matter what he dished out, he wasn't beaten, locked in a room, or having to pick locks off of the refrigerator anymore. Best of all, he was supported and rewarded for achieving positive things in his life. Most important, he realized, no matter what tomorrow brings, that life offers a whole world of possibilities and endless achievements.

By the third year in placement, he had a year and a half to go in school; he stayed on a high privilege level; he was the Master of Ceremonies of the shows put on by the Ranch boys; and was the class aide at public school. Other kids were envious of him and the other boys who lived at the Ranch, because while they bragged about their homes, the boys at the Ranch bragged about their horses, cows, chickens, and pigs, not to mention the numerous camping trips to Camp Ben McCullouch. This boy was in love with life and greeted every day with a smile, hoping life would bring him new achievements.

In his fourth and final year, the boy's childhood was coming to an end and so was his stay at The Burke Foundation. He spent most of his time finishing his education and preparing his life for the real world. He left Darden Hill and got a job at a gasoline station. Seventeen months later, he bought the station and turned it into a car lot. He named it Aloha Auto Sales. Of course nothing lasts forever. He had a lot of ups and downs and hurdles in his life. But he is doing well. Today he is 38 years old, has four children, and is living in Forth Worth, Texas.

How do I know so much about this young man? Well, I am that young man, Pete. So, to Rose and Charlie and all of the staff at The Burke Foundation, I say that my hat goes off to you. You have filled my childhood with warmth, affection, and understanding, mixed with regulations that stayed with me for my whole life. The Lord willing, the Ranch will be around for another thirty years.

Michael Pete Harp

  
   
   
       
     
     
 

My name is Kendrick. I started out in a rough place in Dallas. I was raised with four sisters and four brothers--we all have different dads. South Oak Cliff was pretty rough. You survived by hustling, believing in yourself...Then a dark thing happened. I had to leave my family...

  
   
   
     
     
     
 

...After we were split up, I was the only one. That's when the nice "K-Love" became dark. I didn't care about anything. I didn't care if I lived or died. I didn't care about who I walked over or hurt. After being moved several times, I got into a foster home. A foster home seemed pretty weird. I told my foster mom I was ready to leave. I missed my family. I wanted to go home. One of my brothers was in a shelter. We found out and he moved in with us. This made me happy but it wasn't enough.

A lot of people told me to get into basketball because I was athletic. At first I didn't want to; then my 10th grade year, I joined the team. That is when my whole attitude changed. Basketball gave me another way.

When I step on the court, my problems are gone. I feel like a bird flying. That's when I learned about focus and visualizing. I found how to work as a team. It turned the dark to light. I became more spiritual. I wanted to live. All my worries went away, and everything got better.

My varsity year, in 11th grade, I made All-district and won the MVP award. It is a good life. And always will be...Now I am a good man, respectful and respected. I came from dust to wind. I believe I can fly. I believe in me.

  
   
 
   
     
   
   
 
   
     
   
     
 

 

Central Office
P.O. Box 40        Phone: (512) 858-4258        FAX: (512) 858-4960
Driftwood, Texas  78619

Charles Campise, M.Ed., L.M.S.W., Clinical Director
Cell: (512) 461-2935


Corpus Christi Office
3833 South Staples Street, Suite 73    Corpus Christi, Texas 78411
Office: (361) 853-6700    FAX: (361) 853-6701    Cell: (361) 658-1118
Email: BurkFound@SBCGlobal.net

Laredo Office
608B W. Calton Road    Laredo, Texas 78041
Phone: (956) 723-5886    FAX: (956) 723-4774
Cell: (956) 763-1791
Email: tburkef@sbcglobal.net