Second Chance Ranch to help youth recovery

Steven Dixon is not from Oklahoma originally, not even close, but the New Yorker has found his way to the Sooner State and is on his way to making a big impact in the local and state communities.

Dixon had met his future fiance Stephanie Morcom of Duncan at an intervention conference in New York City in 2023. Dixon was immediately smitten and the next thing he knew, he was packing his suitcase and heading to Oklahoma for a visit.

“She invited me here because we are in the same industry,” Dixon said. “I was working with addiction recovery in New York. And the difference is New York has so many resources, so when I came out here to visit, I was shocked by how little resources there are to support (the youth) at-risk population.”

By the time his flight touched back down in New York after his visit, he made a phone call.

“We have to do something about this,” Dixon said.

He would then make a more permanent commitment to return to Oklahoma.

The idea sprang up of starting the Second Chance Ranch, an adolescent recovery home to be located in Stephens County.

On the Second Chance Ranch website, the non-profit organization states what it hopes to accomplish.

“As the first and only extended care, sober living for teens in the State of Oklahoma, we can give teenagers the tools and confidence they need to live a life of sobriety and overcome the feelings of hopelessness plaguing their generation. 

“The Second Chance Ranch will guide residents through a three-phase program. Each phase has specific goals and objectives that require them to dig deep on personal, spiritual, emotional, relational, and familial levels. 

“We will teach our residents to identify and manage their triggers, shortcomings, values, and passions, so that they can reach their full potential. 

“We want our residents to feel a sense of community and connection, learn to have fun in sobriety and empower them with the tools they need to be responsible members of society.”

Right now, they are in the process of fundraising, so there is no definite time for its opening. It is one of the reasons why Dixon, who is also an artist, is having his artwork shown at the Chisholm Trail Arts Council gallery in Duncan through Feb. 22.

All artwork will be for sale with a silent auction during the duration of the exhibit. The closing night reception will be held on Feb 22, and will host a live auction of 1-2 new pieces of artwork along with any remaining, unsold pieces from the exhibit.

“We have to get the right amount of funds in place and it’s an uphill battle, so we’re doing events like this to gain traction, gain awareness, and then start petitioning for grants,” Dixon said.

They have already begun helping teens and working in schools.

“We actively help any kid that we can right now, so it’s not like we are just sitting around and waiting,” Dixon said.

Dixon said they would like to get started on the ranch as soon as possible.

“Whenever we can get the proper funding,” Dixon said. “So, however many events like this we have to do and however many doors we have to knock on to make people aware of it. It’s a dire situation, and I don’t think people realize how serious it is.”

Dixon said when he was in the sheriff’s office talking to Wayne McKinney that the sheriff got a phone call about a teen that died of substance abuse.

“He got the call on the radio, and he said, ‘See, this is how big of a problem it is,’” Dixon said.

There are different ways to help the ranch get started for those that are interested.

“If you want to come down here and buy a piece of my art, all the proceeds go to the Second Chance Ranch,” Dixon said. “It all goes to the same bucket.”

Another way is to visit the Second Chance Ranch website at https://2cr-oklahoma.org/