Event Recap: 2018 Graduation

"​The things that CEM enforces have allowed me to look at life from another person’s ideas, even if I don’t agree with them. I’ve learned that being able to take in someone else’s perspective on how the world should be run is a good skill to have...I’ve excelled much farther than I thought I could have at age 17. But, I believe that aside from my schooling, the one thing that the staff and interns here have taught me is that life is a lot easier when you’re obedient to authority and you do what’s expected of you. Even if in your eyes it’s illogical, know that the world won’t always be there to spell things out and make sense to you. You can’t protest against everything life throws at you...Thank you to everyone who had enough faith to pray for my stay. God is the best foundation I’ve ever had. He has been here with me every day, and the things I’ve learned and experienced through Him are life-changing. I feel the most complete I’ve ever felt in my life."

​- Kalani, 2018 CEHS Graduate

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“Look what God can do.” 

Alumni Award winner Jackie Turner proclaimed these words as she stood on stage to accept her award.

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I am 19 years old, and I have been at the Ranch for one year and four months. I came to the Ranch with the goals of getting my diploma, and wanting to prove people wrong about not being able to get it. When I was a kid, I went through foster care. My adopted parents later told me, that most kids who go through foster care do not graduate from high school. It was at that time I decided that I would get my diploma at any cost. As it turned out, it only cost me hard work and dedication. I had both, so I made sure that I used them. Through strict determination and hard work I managed to get onto honor roll for each quarter while being at the Ranch. This last quarter I earned 101% in two classes. This is the best that I have ever done in school."
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​- Dorrie, 2018 CEHS Graduate

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"I arrived at CEM on April 27th, 2017, as a shell of the person I once was. I arrived with my past heavy in my heart and my detestation for life burning deep in my soul. I came beaten and battered by none other than myself, feeling so far away from everyone and everything I’d ever known…The Agony Ride came around the end of July and God began to turn gears within me. He began to dust away the cobwebs that gathered in the corners of myself, in the places I had swallowed deep down with all my habits and my desires to erase all my grief…What God does for us within this property is breathtaking. His presence fills this place and floods into our hearts as if a dam beginning to spill over has finally burst…"
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​- Kalah​, 2018 CEHS Graduate

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"One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11…I like this verse because this is what I have been praying about my whole stay here at CEM…[I’m finishing at CEM in June]. I plan to go to American River College to get a business management degree, and I may possibly start my own company one day. Before coming to the Ranch, my faith in God was not very strong. Since I have been here my faith has grown…I have learned to pray a more heartfelt prayer and worship with all my heart and soul. I have chosen to have a true relationship with my heavenly Father…" 

- Savannah​, 2018 CEHS Graduate

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