From the Top Down, Everyone is Passionate About Helping Troubled Children and Teens
Many people are aware that Jack Eckerd revolutionized the drug store industry, but few are aware that he also pioneered how America therapeutically treats troubled youth. In 1952, Jack Eckerd took three failing Florida drug stores and introduced the concept of self-service. Over the next three decades, these stores launched what became one of the nation’s largest drug store chains with sales of $5 billion annually. In the late 1960s, Jack read an article about the Dallas Salesmanship Club’s outdoor program for troubled youth in Texas. He was captivated by its effective, holistic approach, which was a complete change in thinking from the “boot camps for kids” mentality. In 1968, Jack and his bride Ruth opened their first outdoor therapeutic school for troubled teenagers, Eckerd Academy in Brooksville, Florida.
Eckerd’s executive leadership team
has more than 100 years of experience.
The nurturing therapies and outdoor approach of Eckerd Academy soon stifled skeptics when it was shown that their unconditional regard and positive, non-punitive support was extremely effective. Jack believed that society would generate the biggest return on investment by helping troubled youths turn their lives around. He called it a “lifetime of returns” for the children and families who would be helped.
Today, Eckerd Academy has been joined by a full continuum of services offered by Eckerd, a national nonprofit leader in giving much-needed second chances to children and families. Eckerd’s executive leadership team, which has more than 100 years of experience in working with troubled teens, is guided by a board of community leaders who are dedicated to providing the most effective therapy for troubled teens and at-risk children in the nation.
