Vision
Foster and adopted children growing into whole, thriving adults who love Jesus and give back to their communities..
Mission
LOA Youth Ranch exists to break the cycle of multi-generational trauma in foster and adopted children through Christ-centered mentoring, creation, and community.
How We Carry Out the Mission
1. Mentoring
Christ-centered relationships that build identity, trust, and belonging.
LOA Youth Ranch serves foster and adopted children by pairing each child with a consistent session leader for one-on-one mentoring. These structured sessions are designed to provide stability, encouragement, and relational safety — foundational elements often missing in early developmental trauma.
Sessions may include riding, grooming, working with horses, caring for ranch animals, gardening, shop projects, painting, games, or crafts. While activities vary, the primary focus remains the relationship. Sessions are youth-led within a safe and regulated environment, allowing children to explore their interests while building responsibility, confidence, and a secure sense of identity.
Our primary objective is to mentor children impacted by early trauma. Through consistent Christ-centered relationships, children experience that they are seen, valued, and loved.
2. Creation
Experiencing God through His creation in a safe ranch environment.
LOA Youth Ranch provides a hands-on ranch setting where children interact with horses and other animals, work outdoors, and participate in meaningful activities. These experiences build emotional resilience, practical life skills, and confidence.
We believe in the ethical stewardship of God’s creation. The Ranch provides a safe and caring home for horses and other ranch animals, including those that are unwanted, neglected, or re-purposed. Youth are taught to respect and care for these animals, reinforcing responsibility, empathy, and stewardship.
Through equine-assisted learning and other ranch-based activities, children encounter both the beauty of creation and the faithfulness of the Creator in tangible ways.
3. Community
A Christ-centered support system for children and the families who serve them.
LOA Youth Ranch recognizes that foster and adoptive parents are the primary support structure for the children we serve. We come alongside entire families to build community, resilience, and stability.
While children participate in mentoring sessions, parents, guardians, siblings, and family members are welcome to remain on the ranch. They may rest, connect with volunteers and staff, or participate in ranch activities. We intentionally cultivate an environment where families feel supported rather than isolated.
Throughout the year, LOA Youth Ranch hosts work parties, family gatherings, fellowship events, and other outdoor activities that strengthen relationships and create a Christ-centered community of belonging.
The Outcome
Through mentoring, creation, and community, LOA Youth Ranch works to interrupt cycles of trauma and help foster and adopted children grow into whole, thriving adults who love Jesus and give back to their communities.