OUR HISTORY
Bald Ridge Lodge History
In 2005 United Way’s Executive Director noted that while Forsyth County had a home for girls, none existed for boys. When Buddy Lang & Charlie Smith accepted the challenge, the vision for Bald Ridge Lodge (BRL) was born. Within months funding for the program and building was raised, and the first resident arrived August 2008. In 2023, BRL celebrated 15 years of serving young men. As we have expanded our services to support young men and their families & support systems, we have been blessed with amazing support from our community.
Our staff, board, and volunteers are looking to the future with plans to expand services to support the young men that we proudly serve and their families & systems of support both during and after their time in residence with us.
Additional History
When Buddy Lang & Charlie Smith accepted the challenge to bring a boys home to Forsyth County, within months $80K was raised and $800K more was pledged upon award of 501(c)(3) which was received in March 2007. Once the building was completed, the first resident arrived in August 2008. Since that time our services have expanded to include Aftercare (2018) to support former Group Home residents after reunifying with family or aging out of care and an Independent Living Program (2023) to help young men transition out of Foster Care or homelessness.
After more than 15 years of serving young men, we are proud to have served and supported over 495 young men. While we serve 12 youth at a time in our Group Home and currently 4 in our Independent Living Program, our influence for change in their lives is deep, impacting every area – emotional, behavioral, physical, educational, relational, mental, spiritual, and financial. Young men impacted by BRL have graduated from high school, attended college and trade school, and enlisted in the military. While at BRL, young men achieve milestones (first jobs, driver’s license, first car) and experience normalcy. This leads to change in the trajectory of their lives impacting both their current experiences and relationships as well as that of future generations to come.
NEWS AND UPDATES
STAY INFORMED, STAY INSPIRED
Together, we are lighting up lives and paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.
To the donors, volunteers, and advocates who make our work possible, we extend our deepest gratitude.
