Keefe Ricks has made a complete turn around from a life of gangs, drugs, physical, emotional, and verbal abuse; a life that had no end in sight; a life where many had given up on him of ever becoming a productive citizen in society. The possibility of Keefe Ricks being alive today is only a miracle from God, the one true and living God who has no problem giving us another chance. Keefe Ricks’ destiny and purpose was, is, and always has been “for the kids for the kids.” But, how he got there began years ago.

Keefe began his journey over 23 years ago; born in Tampa, Florida but raised most of his life in California. He came up in a home that was tainted with much abuse. The results of this pushed him to a life of rebellion. He began seeking acceptance with the gangs in Compton, California, who were readily accepting of him. This spiral path downward left him facing a Judge for non-compliance to his probation agreement with the California School District.  The School Districts court was looking to place him into a reform school for kids, a path that his biological father knew all to well and a place where no one really cared for children and the troubles that they faced. However, before the Judge was to sentence Keefe his parents requested to speak to the Judge in his chambers. Something special happened in that court room that day, something that Keefe Ricks will always remember till this day. God had mercy on him and he was given a second chance in life.

Keefe Ricks was given this second chance to start a new life, but not in Compton, California. Keefe Ricks was given an opportunity to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Keefe Ricks had no idea of what to expect, and had a hard time adjusting to Albuquerque. The school system seemed different than what he had encountered in California. However, over time Keefe Ricks began to slow down from his California lifestyle. Keefe Ricks was so good at football and played for Del North High school where he graduated in 1977.  Keefe Ricks continued to deal with the demons of his old gang mentality; which led to him being shot at a local teen night club in 1980. Although still angry, it took some time for him to realize that God had a calling for him. Keefe Ricks began to realize that the life he was living wasn’t really who he was but he still couldn’t find peace within himself. He looked to God in the way that he knew how, to find the answer.

Keefe then went on to college but his past habits and a knee injury caused him to lose an athletic scholarship and a promising future playing professional football. Although, these set backs were disheartening, God’s mercy was still available to Keefe through his new family; wife Cheryl Diane Carrell, commonly known as Diane. Keefe and Diane have been married for over 28 years. This in and of itself is a great accomplishment in our society today. Mrs. Diane Ricks gave birth to their five beautiful children, three daughters Tekisha, Shinka, and Tenadia, and two sons Aaron and Alon.

One day Keefe met a total stranger that told him about a place where he could take all the negative behavior and anger and use it to do some good. Keefe Ricks started working with Outreach ministries in town helping ex-gang members start a new life in Christ, then later moved on to Hogares group home in Albuquerque working with youth. Because of his background he knew how to identify with and understand the most difficult kids that were brought to the group home. Working with these youths brought so much joy to Keefe because he was able to give them what he desperately desired during his troubled life. He was able to help them see that their bad choices would not benefit them and he encouraged them through understanding, patience, and tough love to help them make a change for the better.

In 1990, Keefe Ricks was offered an opportunity of a lifetime working with some of the most top Doctors, RN’s, and Therapists, in the State of New Mexico, and around the country, designing special programs for the most at-risk kids at Desert Hills. This venture lasted for 11 years. This opportunity culminated into a greater desire and vision for Keefe. He wanted to help these young men and women, even after they completed their treatment, and this is when the vision for Prime Time was birthed.

Prime Time was to be a place where kids could continue to work on themselves and giving up the life they once lived. Prime Time was to be a place where these youth could create fun activities for themselves, and be assured of a safe place from gangs, drugs, and the other non-productive influences of their environment.

On April 4th 2007, at 11:27 a.m., House Bill 363 was signed into law by Lt. Governor Diane D. Denish, in the absence of Governor Bill Richardson, creating an Official State Holiday to honor all New Mexico’s Youth for their academic and community achievements each year. Keefe Ricks says that he won’t stop until he gets a National Youth Day Holiday to honor every young person for their accomplishments in life and encourage them not to give up! Despite the fact that he had very little funding and very little support, Mr. Ricks turned his hard work and undying devotion for young people into the reality of Prime Time. Today, Prime Time enjoys community support and is viewed as a valuable stakeholder in the community and in the schools.