Hope's Haven Youth Ranch

09/04/2026

Jesus said, "My command is this: LOVE EACH OTHER as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15: 12-14

09/01/2026

This month we are celebrating our volunteers that have been with Hope's Haven for 2 years 🎉 We are blessed to have these 8 AMAZING VOLUNTEERS.

Reagan Record is an amazing team member on our Barn & Horse Care, and Wellness Teams amongst other volunteer positions. She never leaves before bringing perfection to every space within the barn!

Olivia Stultz is also a wonderful Barn & Horse Care member and learning the ropes of the Fundraising committee. She is diligent and dedicated in many ways in the barn and outside the barn!

Renie Titus is a Mentor Leader, on the Barn & Horse Care team, and also assists in fundraising. She is an amazing asset in every way and the kids adore her kindness!

Earl Gable is our HH Facilities Coordinator, IT Support, Barn & Horse Care member, as well as many other hats within our organization. We run smoother because of all the behind the scenes ways that Earl contributes!

Kristie Reider assists in various ways including organization for our move to our new location last year. She also helped with our minis care prior to our move. In addition, she is who we rely on to provide massages to our equine partners through her business. She has a caring hand!

Kirk Evans is our Barn Manager, on the Barn & Horse Care, Wellness, and Facilities teams. He is another phenomenal behind the scenes volunteer who just gives his all and more into everything!

Emily Lentz is our Wellness Care, team leader, on the Barn & Horse Care, and facilities teams. One of our deepest caring hearts within our organization, she can be seen creating signs, creating organizational methods, and hand sewing name tags on fly boots, masks, blankets and the like for our horse friends!

Elaina Sellers assists on the Landscape team. Her love language is food and is an amazing baker, but also knowing her way around a recipe to create tastes better than you could imagine!

08/31/2026

We're thrilled for seven new mentees to start our Mentorship Program this week! Join us as we surround the mentees, their families, mentor leaders, and equine partners in prayer.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Ephesians 6:18

08/28/2026

💜Mentor Moment Spotlight💜 check-in time for a mentee

"There is that moment when a mentee asks, 'Can you let go now?' and you trust that his equine partner will be the only support he needs.

Because this equine partner understands the unspoken needs of the mentee and simultaneously understands the unspoken concern of the mentor leader.

This equine partner did not let anyone down. Trust grew for the mentee, leader, and even horse in those few moments of time.

It's a moment that will carry this particular mentee into a new school year ready to meet the challenges with assurance because I chose to let go and his horse saw the world in a new way through the love and leading of his mentee.

I will cherish this moment, and also the words before the dismount, 'That was so cool.'" ~Angie Stoudt (of her Fall 2025 mentee)

08/24/2026

"Why do I sponsor a horse at Hope's Haven Youth Ranch?

"Because horses have melted my heart and I have found co-regulation. I never knew a horse, like I do now, four years ago. Over these years, there are many times that I have been anxious, shoving tears down, buzzing inside with too many thoughts, and even on the brink of the darkness of depression pulling me in. The horses at Hope's Haven have not only brought me out of the pain, suffering, and circling thoughts...they have been who I pray with and hang on so that I can get myself in a better place. The ones who have been able to bring me out of the hardest times: Oats and Sage (who have both past), and this guy, Gabe. Why these three? Because Oats and Sage had a sense of humor. And Gabe certainly knows how to seek attention. All three would nudge me as I walked by, do something to make me laugh (Gabe never lets me down there as he has been dubbed the Barn Clown), move so I could hug them straight on, stand perfectly still with head low just so I could be in their presence. And as you see here, Gabe...well, he just meets me where I am...in the deepest sense of the meaning.

"I have also had the greatest pleasure seeing Gabe be there for a mentee as well..one who is battling a lot. Gabe was drawn to this mentee, for maybe similar reasons that Gabe and I have a special connection. I know that because of what Gabe has done for me over-and-over again, I choose to give to Hope's Haven in support of him." Angie Stoudt

Yesterday we posted our 8 equine partners and information on why we are offering equine sponsorship. Our program for each mentee is 100% FREE and it is important to us that we continue God's work for free to our community. Would you consider sponsoring one of our herd today? It's just a click away:
https://hopeshaven4life.networkforgood.com/projects/154521-hope-s-every-day-giving

08/23/2026

Do you have it in your heart to sponsor one of God's magnificent creatures?

Every one of these eight equines have partnered (or will soon be ready to partner) with our mentees. And they need your support, just like our mentees!

The average cost to feed and care for each of our equine partners is about $200 each month. That doesn't include health checks, emergency vet visits, dental needs, etc.

With your consistent sponsorship of any of our herd, you will have the opportunity to visit, care for, and take pictures with your horse. You can start a sponsorship today by clicking here: https://hopeshaven4life.networkforgood.com/projects/154521-hope-s-every-day-giving

We hope to meet you in the barn very soon!

08/22/2026

08/20/2026

You are the righteous one. And he hears you when you call. Give him your troubles and he will be with you through them all.

08/18/2026

💜Mentor Moment Spotlight💜

"Heavy. That is the word that I would use to describe a few key moments as I worked with my mentee these past weeks. He holds so much weight for himself...high expectations are just a part of the weight. In conversation prior to meeting my mentee for our first session, I already knew a direction to take all of our sessions...Identity in Christ.

"As I watched this particular evening unfold, I could feel the weight, and Gabe could as well. Many times he looked over his shoulder to check-in on my mentee as he delved into the task I presented: Get out the negative self-talk in writing. On the other side of Gabe I was writing positive words that I saw in my mentee. I also included Child of God and Isaiah 40:29-31. When my mentee was finished, he read his phrases and I listened to him explain when and why he experienced these negative phrases. My heart broke for him. We had a short conversation that will thankfully lead to next steps for him.

"Then we walked to the side I had prepared for him. We reviewed each word and why I chose them for him, and then I read the Bible verses to him. After I was done, I explained that these same verses came to me for that evening to share with him, but they also happened to be the very verses I turned to every time I was struggling in my own life. My mentee laid his head over the verse and then asked for me to send his mom these so he would not forget them. 💜

"What we did next was wash away the negative and give them to God. I explained that no matter what, God would hold those words and feelings for him. He needed to be willing to let go and seek the help of his Father. Then, leaving the positive in place for just a bit longer, my mentee went ba****ck around the arena on Gabe. At one point, he asked if he could lay on Gabe. I stepped back as far as I could, and allowed co-regulation to take over. As I stood there quietly letting the moment unfold, I knew that God had my mentee. For all the troubles, he was brought to Hope's Haven for a reason and for HOPE." Angie Stoudt, assistant director (of one of her summer mentees)

"He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31