VISTA, CA (July 18, 2024) —Solutions for Change, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of homeless families, announced this morning that it has signed a contract for purchase of the 110-acre Green Oak Ranch property in Vista, California.
Solutions for Change was initially approached by Green Oak Ranch in June 2023 to consider purchasing the property. After a thorough, competitive vetting process, the organization was selected as the preferred new owner, and a Letter of Intent was signed in February 2024. The property, which has been the subject of local discussion for several months, has been the home of Green Oak Ranch Ministries and has hosted youth camps and the annual Veterans Stand Down event for several decades.
“For more than 25 years Solutions for Change has been working collaboratively with the community to solve family homelessness and crush the churn of dependency,” said Chris Megison, the founder and CEO of Solutions for Change. “Our vision is to build upon the legacy of both our organization and Green Oak Ranch to elevate our community’s ability to address the root causes of homelessness and end the cycle of poverty.”
The cornerstone of the Solutions for Change model is a comprehensive 700-day vocational program called Solutions Academy that prepares families for lifelong success through career pathways, work experience, leadership training, family management skills, teamwork, financial literacy, personal development, accountability and connection.
The vision for the Green Oak Ranch property includes an expansion of this award-winning program, as well as the establishment of Solutions Institute, a training program to help other nonprofit organizations stand up similar models across the country. Solutions for Change empowers all program participants to maintain sobriety and employment.
“I am very happy to hear today that Solutions for Change is in contract to purchase Green Oak Ranch. Solutions for Change has been a great partner with the City of Vista for more than 20 years,” said Mayor John Franklin of Vista. “Green Oak Ranch has been charitably owned and operated for 80 years and this transaction will ensure that Green Oak Ranch will continue its mission of healing and recovery for decades to come.”
The mayor continued, “Also of great importance, the citizens of Vista will continue to have a strong say in the land use at Green Oak Ranch. I also hope there may be an opportunity to partner with Solutions for recreation opportunities that would benefit all Vistans.”
Tim Troncone, founder of the Protect Vista - Green Oak Ranch community group, added, “From day one, the goal of the people of Shadowridge has been to preserve our quality of life and ensure the safety of our residents. Solutions for Change is a proven community partner and I’m personally pleased to welcome them to the neighborhood.”
Solutions for Change will take possession of the land in the first quarter of 2025 and will use the intervening time to meet with interested community stakeholders to discuss future use of the site.
About Solutions for Change:
Solutions for Change solves the root causes of family homelessness using a ground-up, community-based and social enterprise-driven approach. To preserve its model of personal accountability and drug-free housing, Solutions for Change chooses not to use government funding. Formed in 1999 under IRS code 501(c)3, the nonprofit’s purpose and passion is to transform the most vulnerable and dependent people into the most empowered, equipped and inspired Overcomers. They do this by equipping and empowering communities to end their dependencies on the systems, substances and things that keep people trapped. Their 10-Year Core Target: 10,000 Overcomers have been developed, deployed and are leading a systems change movement that is transforming how society sees and acts on serving the most vulnerable. Join the fight! For more information, visit www.solutionsforchange.org.
