Who We Are
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment that fosters personal growth, education, and reintegration into society.
Our Vision
Our vision is to empower youth to achieve their fullest potential through a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment, and fostering a community where personal growth, education, and successful reintegration into society are achieved.
Our Core Values
At Ranita’s, our work is grounded in four core values that guide every interaction, decision, and program we deliver. These values shape the safe, structured, and supportive environment we provide for youth as they grow toward independence.
Safety & Stability
We maintain a secure, predictable environment where youth feel protected physically and emotionally. Safety is our foundation — upheld through consistent supervision, clear expectations, and supportive relationships that promote stability and trust.
Respect & Relationships
We treat every individual with dignity, empathy, and professionalism. Strong relationships are built through active listening, teamwork, and positive communication, creating a community where youth and staff feel valued and understood.
Integrity & Accountability
We operate with honesty, transparency, and fairness. Staff members model responsible behavior, and youth are encouraged to take ownership of their choices. Integrity and accountability ensure consistency, reliability, and trust across our entire program.
Growth & Independence
We empower youth to build skills, develop healthy habits, and prepare for successful reintegration into the community. Through education, life‑skills training, and individualized support, we help each young person move confidently toward independence.
Our Model
Ranita’s operates a three-tier continuum of care. Youth begin at our main location and, as they demonstrate readiness, transition into Tier 2 and Tier 3 apartments owned or leased by Ranita’s.
Why Youth Choose Ranita's
Youth choose Ranita’s because it’s a safe, structured, and supportive place to reset, grow, and move toward independence. Our program offers stability, clear expectations, and adults who show up every day with honesty, consistency, and real support.
Safety & Stability
Ranita’s provides a clean, secure home with on-site staff, predictable routines, and supervision that keeps youth safe. It’s a place to breathe, reset, and focus without chaos or instability.
Respect & Relationships
Youth feel seen, heard, and supported. Staff build trust through fairness, empathy, and consistency — showing up every day with genuine care and commitment.
Integrity & Accountability
Youth appreciate knowing exactly what the rules are, what the consequences are, and how to move forward. Our tier system and daily routines help youth build responsibility, confidence, and self‑discipline.
Growth & Independence
Whether finishing school, preparing for a GED, or getting a first job, youth receive hands‑on support with education, employment, life skills, and problem‑solving. Every part of the program is designed to help youth build the habits and skills needed for independent living.
Support Beyond Discharge
Whether finishing school, preparing for a GED, or getting a first job, youth receive hands‑on support with education, employment, life skills, and problem‑solving. Every part of the program is designed to help youth build the habits and skills needed for independent living.
Meet Juanita Banks, Administrator
Juanita Banks is the founder and Administrator of Ranita’s, bringing more than 30 years of experience in audit, compliance, investigations, program development, and risk management. Before working directly with youth, she served as a Vice President of Audit, Compliance & Risk Management, building governance structures, ethics frameworks, and accountability systems designed to protect people and strengthen organizations.
Juanita holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, is a graduate of the WALA Community Based Residential Facility Administrator Training program, and has completed specialized training in trauma-informed care and in recognizing, preventing, and responding to challenging behaviors. She is a member of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA).
Juanita oversees day-to-day operations at Ranita’s—admissions, documentation, supervision, and program development—bringing the same clarity, structure, and accountability to Ranita’s that defined her career.
About Ray Banks
Ray Banks is a co-owner of Ranita’s. He retired in January 2020 as Assistant Chief of Police after more than 30 years of leadership experience in public safety, crisis response, supervision, and community engagement. Brings strong competencies in risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, policy enforcement, and organizational oversight. Applies extensive safety and operational experience to support a stable, compliant, and well-managed Adult Family Home environment.
Education
- Master of Science, Organizational Leadership & Administration – Concordia University
- Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice (Summa Cum Laude) – Upper Iowa University
At Ranita’s, Ray supports operational oversight, safety planning, emergency response procedures, transportation coordination, and property-related risk management. He provides leadership in staff accountability, resident safety, and crisis prevention strategies.
Why We Built Ranita's
Ray and Juanita saw a gap: youth needed safe housing, consistent supervision, and adults who would show up with structure, honesty, and genuine care. They set out to build a program that combined strong oversight with real opportunities to grow. They created a place where youth could stabilize, learn life skills, finish school, and prepare for independence.
Ranita’s reflects both their professional backgrounds and their lived experience. It’s a program built with intention, accountability, and heart, designed to help youth move forward rather than fall through the cracks.