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Susan Hamilton, Chair
Retired CSX/Consultant
Ryan Schmitt, Vice-Chair
President, Petticoat-Schmitt
Civil Contractors, Inc.
Jeff Bryan
Community Volunteer
Walt Bussells
President, Forbes Street Capital
Billy Catlin, IV
Community Volunteer
John B. Coxwell
Founder, J.B. Coxwell
Contracting, Inc.
Brenda Davis
Community Volunteer
Vicki Gillander
Community Volunteer
T.R. Hainline Attorney, Rogers Towers, P.A.
Adam Hollingsworth
Community Volunteer
Ward Huntley
President, South Lubes, Inc.
Elizabeth Hyman
Senior Vice President, Citi
Aaron Kendrick, III
Senior Director, Jacksonville
Port Authority
Joyce Mann
Community Volunteer
Will Montoya
President, Montoya & Associates
Mark A. Morley
President, Ohmega Group
Richard L. Myers, MD
North Florida OB/GYN Associates
Emily B. Smith
Community Volunteer
James R. Weeks
Clay County Tax Collector
Ken Wilson
President, Gate Lands Company
Allene Zvara
Community Volunteer
OUR MISSION
Seamark Ranch is a nurturing Christian
home and family system that gives children
from families in crisis the tools they need
for a brighter future. Through a family
home model, a specialized residential
school and the lessons of life in a working
farm community, Seamark Ranch provides
the ideal setting for love, stabilization,
healing, education, and empowerment.
It is a great honor for me to chair the Seamark Ranch Board of Directors at this
stage in our history. Those of us who became involved at the very beginning,
when a Christian ranch for abandoned and/or abused children needing love and
hope was only a vision, look back on our development as having been divinely
guided.
The hand of God has been on Seamark every step of the way and especially when
we needed help the most. Shortly after the unsettling events of 9/11/01, our
founders, Keith and April Denton, felt led to bring to Jacksonville their concept
for the Ranch based upon Keith’s experience being raised in a similar home in
Alabama. A remarkable group of people networked and dreamed, bringing to life
the Dentons’ vision in 2007 as we opened to our first children. Timing was critical
as we were fully operational and debt-free when the U.S. economy fell into crisis
in 2008.
We brought together a remarkable and committed team led by Fred Meiners, our
Executive Director, and persevered through the country’s worst financial times
since the Great Depression. Today we are changing lives and demonstrating the
potential of that vision first stirred in 2001.
We are well-positioned to grow and help our children be all they can be.
Gratefully,
FOUNDERS:
Keith & April Denton
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:
Fred Meiners
Executive Director
Amanda Landau, CPA
Director of Business and Finance
Robin Garvey, M. Ed.
Director of Education
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Susan Hamilton
Seamark Ranch Board Chair
OUR VISION
Seamark Ranch’s vision is to break the
generational cycle of failure that affects the
families we serve, and to nurture purposeful
living in children who have experienced the
tragic impact of broken families.
The children of Seamark Ranch will be
equipped with a worldview and life skills that
will enable them to productively contribute to
our community. Our children will be healed in
heart and formed for service.
RESIDENTIAL CHILDCARE PROGRAM MORE THAN A HOME, A FAMILY
Seamark Ranch has transcended the group home environment and
has developed a healthy family culture. Boys’ and Girls’ homes are
structured as a two-parent setting where the children receive the
love, nurture, discipline and consistency every child deserves. Each
family works, plays and attends church together, just like a traditional
family. Not only do the children feel safe, they also feel they have
a family where they “belong”; some for the very first time. In the
confines of their family they are developing healthy relationships,
responsibility and accountability. Our goal is to nurture the pursuit
of excellence in our children in all areas of their lives.
Nick, age 15, attends Clay High School and enjoys the
Seamark Ranch horses. He volunteers regularly with
Horse Sense and Sensitivity (see page 5) and won “Best in
Show” for his horticulture display at this year’s Clay County
Agricultural Fair. Nick joined our Seamark Family in 2011.
Seamark currently has two fully functioning and fully paid-for homes
in operation, with the goal of adding at least two more homes in the
next two years so that more children can find a loving home and
family at Seamark Ranch.
SEAMARK PROGRAMS
SEAMARK COUNSELING - HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION
Seamark Ranch has developed a strong network of counselors and community resources
that work with our houseparents, teachers and qualified volunteers to address the
therapeutic needs of the children. We are meeting children at their point of need with not
only emotional assistance, but also seizing these opportunities for further equipping and
helping each child develop healthy behaviors and self-esteem. Healthy behaviors and selfesteem are not only addressed in counseling, but in every aspect of life at Seamark Ranch.
Children are learning more than just coping mechanisms for past hurts. They are experiencing
healing and the transformation of their lives in preparation for a more confident future.
We have children who have graduated from our childcare program and are now successful,
productive members of our community. One graduate is living on her own, working two
part-time jobs, attending college and studying to become a social worker.
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SEAMARK SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM… ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE
For many of the children at Seamark Ranch, education was not a priority before they arrived. Seamark’s educational
program is geared to address each child’s strengths and weaknesses. By promoting academic success though our oncampus elementary and middle school, our partnership with area high schools and our community-based continuum
of care for our students, Seamark creates a positive environment where children can excel at learning. Our on-campus
school and extensive life skills program on our 468 acre campus allow students to apply academic knowledge and
learning through working together on real life, hands-on projects.
Since opening our doors, four Seamark students have graduated from area high schools and academic programs.
Our on-campus elementary/middle school is bursting at the seams with seventeen students – both residential and
community day students. Our goal is to build and staff a dedicated K-12 school building and integrate even more
essential life skills on our ranch campus.
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SEAMARK FARM… GROWING HEALTHY KIDS
Seamark is a working farm! Here the children care for animals, work the soil, cultivate crops and participate in outdoor
activities in a safe, wholesome environment. In addition to producing fresh food daily for our home menus and
providing free or low cost fresh produce to food-insecure families in our area, the children are learning self-sufficiency,
teamwork and responsibility.
Thanks to our community partners, our farm is growing! We have completed our Blueberry Acre with 2000 plants,
including several varieties of blueberries for optimum production. We planted an orchard with 75 fruit trees, loquats,
figs, paw paws, Asian pears, olives, pomegranates and more. And our Community Garden Project with Second Harvest
Food Bank is actively engaging our staff and children in helping to wipe out hunger in our community.
Our goal for Seamark Farms is to move toward sustainable agriculture and continue to expand our community
supported agriculture efforts. We will continue to teach the children the concept of self-sufficiency and healthy minds
and bodies by producing a fresh food item for every meal every day.
SEAMARK RANCH EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM… LEARNING TO TRUST
Seamark’s Equestrian Program implements a “hands-on” approach to enhance skills, reestablish trust and motivate
positive change in an engaging way. By caring for and riding Seamark’s twelve horses, children learn respect for self
and others, empathy, self-control, confidence, accountability and problem solving. The horses help break down the
children’s defensive protective walls and help them learn to trust again.
The Equestrian Program at Seamark Ranch is managed exclusively by a team of skilled equestrian volunteers including
6 regular volunteers and 15 on-call and as-needed volunteers. With the help of these dedicated individuals and many
other community partners, Seamark hosted its first spring trail ride for the community. Seamark Ranch also partners
with Horse Sense and Sensitivity, a local therapeutic equine program for children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral
palsy and other challenges.
Our goal for the equestrian program is to build upon this solid foundation to introduce even more children and the
community to the therapeutic and recreational benefits of horses.
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SUMMER FUN ON THE FARM … SEAMARK GIVES BACK
“Our kids most enjoyed learning about/seeing the horses and playing
on the giant clay hill. Great interactive and educational experience
enjoyed by children of all ages. We will definitely try to make it back
out to the ranch for more trips in the future.” Alexis Clark, 2012 TnT
Program Manager / Summer Camp Manager, MaliVai Washington Kids
Foundation
For our third summer, Seamark Ranch once again became an outdoor
classroom for hands-on learning and fun for children from urban Duval
County and surrounding counties’ summer camp programs. Campers,
ages 3-15, visited the Ranch for one-day fieldtrips that featured a
wagon ride tour of the farm, farm animals, traditional and hydroponic
gardening, a milking simulator, Beef-O Bingo, face painting and more
fun activities. Seamark Ranch children, staff and volunteers from
the community helped host the campers. Field trips offer a unique
opportunity to introduce more children from our community to new
ways of life and open doors to new possibilities.
Summer Fun on the Farm Program
700
525
350
175
0
2011
2012
2013
Children Served
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
One of the blessings of being part of the Seamark Ranch Family is to see the difference that this ministry is having in the
lives of the children entrusted to our care. Of course, this would not be possible without the generous support of our
many donors. In 2012 Seamark launched our Leadership 2000 initiative comprised of donors who committed at least
$2000 a year to our annual fund. We also grew our Leave a Legacy initiative as more donors began to include Seamark
Ranch in their estate plans. Many other friends and partners have chosen to become monthly financial donors of all
sizes. This generosity has been instrumental in developing and growing not only our homes, but all the successful
programs our children enjoy.
One of the best ways that we can thank our donors is to invite them to the Ranch for a visit to see our success and
future potential first hand. In November 2012 over 1,000 guests of all ages attended our 5th Year Jubilee Celebration.
Last spring we hosted our first trail ride on our newly opened horse trails. Our Fall Family Fun Day this past October
was a success, far beyond all projections. It is wonderful to share our resourses with familes from our community
through these special events. Together with our volunteer opportunities for churches, civic organizations, companies
and individuals, Seamark will continue to offer unique experiences for people of all ages.
If you haven’t visited Seamark Ranch yet, or haven’t been out in a few years, I’d like to encourage you to do so. Can’t
make one of our events? Please call me at (904) 288-8885 and we can arrange a special tour. I know you will be
encouraged by what we are accomplishing together.
Fred Meiners
Executive Director
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FINANCIALS FOR 2012
Continuing to rely overwhelmingly on gifts from private sources—individuals, organizations, businesses and churches—
we carefully plan and consider the best use of every dollar. As an added measure of transparency and integrity the
Seamark Board of Directors engages an independent accounting firm to conduct an annual financial audit. Copies
of our audited financial statements as prepared by James Knutzen & Associates, CPAs, P.A. are available from the
business office upon request.
Annual giving continues to increase and we are grateful. As we expand our visibility and donor base we are able to
serve more children!
Revenue by Type
Gifts by Type of Giver
Investment
Income & Other
Organizations
7%
10%
9%
4%
Churches
Program Services
15%
17%
Foundations
Gifts-In-Kind
49%
Individuals
67%
Private Contributions
22%
Businesses
Expense Breakdown
Fund-Raising
17%
Administrative
14%
Program
69%
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Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit 4714
Jacksonville, FL
1 San Jose Place, Suite 31
Jacksonville, FL 32257
T 904.288.8885
F 904.288.8875
E [email protected]
www.seamarkranch.com
The Seamark Ranch mailing list is completely confidential and will never be shared, sold or given to any individual or organization. Suggestions, comments or corrections should be directed to 904.288.8885.
Contact us today to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of children.
T. 904.288.8885
[email protected] • www.seamarkranch.com