Tyler McDowell is a walking, talking, Boys Ranch success story.
Children may come to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes for a variety of reasons. Some are referred because of adult illness or death in the family, some because of neglect or abuse, and some because of other family dynamics, such as parental incarceration.
Tyler McDowell’s arrival at the Boys Ranch as an adolescent was a result of a combination of these circumstances. His mother was incarcerated, and his grandmother became ill and was unable to continue to care for him and his two brothers.
Before coming to the Boys Ranch, Tyler lived in what he characterized as a “dysfunctional” family. Channing, Tyler and younger brother Zach had always lived together, but in keeping the Boys Ranch policy, they were placed in separate cottages upon their arrival.
That wasn’t the only adjustment they would have to make.
Tyler recalls that having a daily “routine” was a surprising-but welcome-change.
“That routine is the thing that had the biggest impact on my life,” he says. ” A few chores in the morning, then school, them time to finish any chores you hadn’t finished in the morning, study time, dinner, having that routine really changed me. I’ve practiced that ever since I was there. It’s the basis of my whole life!”
Discipline played a part, too. When asked about his least favorite chore, Tyler laughs. “Pulling stumps,” he said. “I learned to finish all my chores so I wouldn’t have to do that!” he said.
His stay at Boys Ranch was relatively short-around two years before he and Zach moved to Florida to live with his stepfather-but Tyler’s fondest memory is of the Fenders, his house parents at Maple cottage, who treated him with love and kindness. “They were so nice!” he said. ” They were absolutely amazing!”
After completing high school in Florida, Tyler apprenticed with a plumbing company and continues in that trade. Interestingly, he also credits the Boys Ranch for helping prepare him for his career.
“You have to be able to keep to a routine and be disciplined to be successful in a trade,” he said. He stays busy with his work, but maintains a healthy, balanced family life. He and his wife, Jordan, have a young daughter, Skyler and Baby Everly joins the family in April.
Asked to explain what his time at Boys Ranch meant to him, Tyler doesn’t hesitate: “Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am,” he says simply, joining hundreds of other young people who are grateful for the guidance, balance, warmth and comfort-and yes, chores and routines-offered on the campuses of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes.