A Message from Founder John Phillips Rancho Cielo was born out of the frustration I experienced during my tenure as a Monterey County Superior Court Judge and having to send 18-year-old kids to prison for life. If only we could reach these kids earlier, they might have been going to college or into the workforce. I felt I had no choice. In 2000, I formed a nonprofit, acquired 100 acres and developed a relationship with the construction industry to build and open Rancho Cielo. We had no idea how great the need was. I was surprised by the phenomenal support from the private sector and the local business community, not just monetary, but hands-on, coming to campus to work and mentor our kids. The response was overwhelming. The private sector and local business community stepped up, not just with funding but with direct involvement, mentoring and support. What began as a dream of a few classrooms has grown into a thriving campus. Thank you to all our supporters who made this possible and the new supporters along the way. It’s because of you that we continue to be so effective. Kids leave us with a diploma, self-confidence and enthusiasm as they move out into the world. With Gratitude, John Phillips Celebrating 25 Years of Rancho Cielo 2000 Visionary and former judge, John Phillips, founds Rancho Cielo 2004 Rancho Cielo opens its “gates of opportunity” 2005 First five students graduate from Silver Star program 2008 Youth Corps program starts 2010 Drummond Culinary Academy starts 2011 Three-year, DOL YouthBuild program for Construction & Sustainable Design Academy begins 2015 Transitional Housing Village built by Construction students opens Milestones Bill Hayward, Executive Chairman, Hayward Lumber, and Founder, Hayward Score, is a longtime supporter and Board Member of Rancho Cielo. Hayward sponsored and mentored Construction Academy students in building a net-zero healthy home—and helping them compete and win the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon in 2023. “I worked one-on-one with the students, watching them go from barely being able to look me in the eye to learning how to tell complex scientific stories about how buildings work. And it transformed how these kids see themselves. They went from, ‘We don’t belong here,’ to, ‘I’m gonna start my own business.’ I can’t imagine anything better to be involved in.” Donor Spotlight John Phillips and his wife Patti built Rancho Cielo from the ground up; he ran the property and programs himself in the first years, with Patti doing the bookkeeping. Above: The Phillips at the Ted Balestreri Monterey Wine & Lifestyle Auction at Spanish Bay in 2023.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==