Former Resident Becomes Mentor at J Bar J Ranch Bend

Austin Cole returned to J Bar J Boys Ranch in Bend this week as a mentor, 18 months after completing the program as a resident.

Cole, 23, spoke to current residents about his path from repeated juvenile detention and expulsion by fourth grade to high school graduation and stable employment. "I sat exactly where you're sitting for 18 months," he told them.

Cole had spent time in juvenile detention 13 times and was homeless before entering J Bar J. He had earned zero high school credits before the program. During his junior year at the ranch, he earned 16 credits and graduated on time.

"With the structure here, I started gaining ground," Cole said of his turnaround. He attributed much of his progress to staff who "slow us down just enough so we can get out of our own way."

During a question-and-answer session, residents asked about reconnecting with old friends, drug use, family pressure, and fear of repeating past mistakes. Cole answered with directness: "How bad do you want the change? Because that old life will always be there. But change will always be there too."

Cole now works steadily and is married. He framed his success not by these achievements but by his choice to return to J Bar J. His parting message to the residents: "It's never too late to grow."