Chuck Lemond of Bear Creek Homes General Contractor, Architect Neel Morton and wife Leslie PHOTOS BY GARY ZUPANCIC/WIMBERLEY VIEW
Burke Center Executive Steve Fournier recognizes the Board trustees.
Rosemary Campise’s dream lives on.
May 2021 Founders Hall.
The new commons area has lots of amenities for the boys.
Each boy has an individual bedroom of their own, instead of four to room.
SMALL BEGINNINGS BLOOM
The Burke Center in Driftwood, had a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new dormitory with the ability to house 30 boys, and a new woodshop with more buildings and two pools to open in the near future.
The Burke Center is for boys 11 to 17 years old and provides therapeutic experiences and treatment services at the ranch to those who have been removed from their homes due to trauma and associated behaviors.
Founders Hall was dedicated and with the usual last minute scurrying around, staff, boys, and even the general contractor helped to install the Founders’ sign and make sure everything was ready for the big event.
But the building is wonderful, and that put a big smile on founder Rosemary Campise’s face. Rosemary (Burke) and Charlie Campise had the idea to help abused boys by giving them love and guidance. It’s been almost 50 years since the facility was called Darden Hill Ranch School by the Campise founders.
“Darden Hill Ranch School opened on September 7, 1973, now 47 years and 11 months later, we are here in a large part due to our early donors,” Founder Rosemary Campise said. “We wanted to help a few boys and we helped thousands.”
Donors and other dignitaries were present for the dedication and when the ribbon was cut, the building’s amenities were on view for all to see. Each resident of the new digs was on hand to proudly show off their new residence, a safe place to call their own.
With dual commons areas, separated by the kitchen, there are pool and checkers tables, couches and seating areas and (of course) a large TV. The two areas are identical with the younger boy quarters separated from the older boys’ quarters.
There are bedrooms for 30, now only occupied by 21. Each boy will have their own bedroom, whereas in the past it was four to a room, making the boys more secure and giving them a safe place.
Just a few short months ago, back in May 2021, the opening looked next to impossible with Covid, rain and construction shortages, but the finished product was a sight to see. A new woodshop for the boys was toured, and the greenhouse and two pools will open soon.
The Burke Center is, in the words of Rosemary Campise, for those boys in need, it’s “a full service stop for going forward,” now and in the future.