Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikeesia Ranson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The Ranson’s Story
Our journey towards adoption was not planned but truly ordained by God. For the last twenty-one years, my husband and I have found ourselves assisting others in the care of their children while raising our own three birth sons. We have allowed over ten children to live with us over periods of time. It was no surprise to others when we decided to become foster parents. Due to the emotional separation that foster children experience, we decided to foster sibling groups to alleviate the fear of further separation. Our first placement was a sibling group of three brothers. This was ideal for our family because this was a familiar combination. We felt that we would have an instant connection since our three boys were now becoming young adults. We felt honored that God sent us three additional boys to assist in their growth.
On October 1, 2012, we opened our home to three boys ages 12, 8, and 5. Soon after they arrived, they began asking questions about their younger siblings. Their spirits were unsettled and they quickly became worried about the whereabouts and well-being of their brothers and sisters. In particular, they shared that their sister would turn two years old on October 4th and they wanted to see her. After many hours of listening to them, trying to console their fears, and settle them in (they still could not sleep and would not allow themselves to mentally relax), we made it our mission to find their siblings. After a day of unsuccessful effort, our wonderful agency and case worker assisted us in locating the other siblings. Soon the other foster parents and I were connected. We planned a birthday party for the 2-year-old at our house days later. The reunion of the children was a true sighting of devoted love. The children sat on the couch all hugged up, tightly holding on to one another. They all breathed in unison and shared the same smile. This was a sign to my husband and me that these children must regularly be united. From that weekend on, they met monthly at our house for a sleepover. Those weekends were priceless and it became evident to everyone involved that they needed to be under one roof at all times to adequately function and be at peace. The other four siblings moved into our home on October 12, 2013. This day marked a day of true sibling reunion. The children were happy to finally be together to see each other on a daily basis so they could continue to grow and nurture their relationship. We celebrated their unification with a family picture, which continues to hang in our home. The thought of having to be separated again and not grow up together was a thought that lingered and concerned the older children.
My husband and I have never considered adoption before, but it quickly became a perpetual topic due to the situation of the children that we instantly bonded with and truly loved as our own. Although the number of children involved was overwhelming, the thought of them being separated troubled our hearts even more. We knew that separation of this sibling group would be devastating to them and could negatively affect their personalities, self-esteem, academic growth, and success in life, so we decided that we had no other choice. Adoption was not an option, but an ordained assignment. We truly believed that the children were sent to us to complete our family and we were to complete theirs. We needed them, just as much as they needed us. We were blessed to adopt all seven. Because we recognize the needs of foster and homeless children, in 2014 we began a non-profit organization, SWAGG Programs.
SWAGG Programs is a family-oriented ministry that shares the love of God by offering Serenity, Wisdom, Agility, Grace, and Guidance to foster and homeless children. We have the opportunity to serve our community with ten uniquely designed programs that creatively boost the self-esteem and confidence of children who are faced with traumatic situations. We have successfully served over 5,000 children in the last four years. We meet their immediate basic, social, and mental needs by acquiring hygiene and clothing necessities, offering ongoing intriguing activities, developing peer/ mentor relationships, and establishing a sense of belonging. Our children experience normalcy through the activities and opportunities provided within our programs. In addition, monthly celebrations of life are held at a local trampoline park, complete with gifts, pizza, and cupcakes. Our SWAGGers are not defeated by their situations because they are reminded of the bold determination projected from the Serenity Prayer, “Lord, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Fostering and adopting is not easy, but necessary to help children who are forced into traumatic situations.
I urge every woman to search themselves and find how they can assist children in need. Everyone can’t adopt, foster, or parent-but everyone can do something. I urge everyone to find their something and put it into action.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into SWAGG Programs story. Tell us more about the business.
SWAGG PROGRAMS
Our programs stimulate the minds of our SWAGGers and give them the courage to explore their own interests, skills, and talents. Through innovative thinking, they are able to transform their current situations into opportunities to be successful with Serenity, Wisdom, Agility, Grace, and Guidance.
Art Expressions and Recreation Program
Our activities are centered on exposing our SWAGGers to different cultures, museums, and recreations. These experiences allow them to freely discover their feelings in a creative manner that builds self-esteem and self-value. They enhance self-awareness, social interaction and assist them in expressing themselves in a productive manner. While learning in a safe environment, SWAGGers are able to expand their horizons in an enjoyable, constructive manner with SWAGG.
“The Beauty in Me” SWAGGers Program
Our Annual Tea Party allows our girls to come together to explore the beauty that is inside of them. Together the girls identify characteristics about themselves and others that allow them to feel confident and boost their self-esteem. They are encouraged to seek change, excellence, hope, faith and love in a way that promotes a concrete foundation of Serenity, Wisdom, Agility, Grace, and Guidance.
“The Man to Be” SWAGGers Program
Our Annual Game Night entices our male SWAGGers to reach beyond their comfort zone. Confidence is instilled in them that gives them the strength needed to challenge themselves. They are motivated to envision a whole new world of possibilities and are equipped with strategies to seek different avenues to achieve their goals. They are able to celebrate their uniqueness, knowledge, and intellect with SWAGG.
“SWAGG Bags” Program
Our program is designed to give children the means to transition to their new environment with a durable bag full of personal items and accessories. SWAGG offers them an opportunity to fill this bag with hygiene items, underwear, socks, and a keepsake to remind them of the Serenity, Wisdom, Agility, Grace, and Guidance that is available to them. (First Time Shoppers age six and up)
“Orphan Awareness” Program
Our program exists to bring light and awareness to our surrounding community that there is an increasing number of children in need of a “home”. One that provides consistency, comfort, guidance, morals, nourishment, and love. We encourage and challenge our community to provide homes that offer SWAGG.
SWAGG STORE
Provides foster and homeless children with monthly “swaggtastic” shopping experiences. Some of the items available to assist with their daily needs are:
A Case of Diapers/ Pull-Ups
Diaper Wipes/ Baby Hygiene Items
Clothing Items/ Shoes/ Socks/ Underwear
Grooming and Hygiene Items/ Feminine Items
School Uniforms/ School Supplies and Items
Baby Items/ Household/ Toys/ Miscellaneous Items
Seasonal Items and Additional Resource
Cherished Impressions Child Placing Agency
A faith-based Child Placing Agency, changing lives for His purpose through comprehensive services that strengthen parents and children through ongoing support, EBI and PRIDE training, therapeutic interventions and treatments, and structured behavioral modifications. We place children in adopted and foster homes that are equipped to love and care for children in care.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
My parents ensured that we volunteered in our community and helped serve those who were in need.
Pricing:
- Full Store Assistance (Initial Placements within the first 30 days) (Homeless: monthly) (Foster & Adopted Children: Quarterly)
- Diaper/ Pull-Up/ Hygiene Assistance (monthly: foster and adopted children)
- Shopping Donations are $10.00 per child (Donations are not required for diaper pick ups only).
Contact Info:
- Address: 1025 Ovilla Road
Waxahachie, Texas 75167 - Website: www.SWAGGPrograms.com; www.cherishedimpressionscpa.com
- Phone: 972-213-8212
- Email: swaggprograms@gmail.com; nikki@cherishedimpressionscpa.com
Image Credit:
Pictures of Larry and Nikki Ranson with their 7 adopted children
Pic of some of the girls at the Annual Tea Party
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