Raise the Roof

At a time when we are all experiencing this pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on. Our GiveMN fundraising will help us construct an indoor riding arena so that we can continue touching hearts with hope one hoof beat at a time no matter what Mother Nature throws at us!

If there is one thing we can all agree upon it is this....  life can be hard.

For some of us, life can be harder than for others.  Sometimes the world can feel overwhelming and like it's crashing in all around us.  In today's world, we are seeing the effects of having our "normal" taken away from us without any warning.  The past 18 months have tried to shake us but we will not be shaken!  Many of us have found ourselves in a place we never imagined, looking for a solid place to stand. Things don't always go as planned.  But when we know that the Master is in the saddle and His hands are on the reins, we can trust that it all went as it should.

Life will settle down and our lives will start to resume a "new normal." There will be feelings to be sorted out, grief to be processed, and disappointments to be brought into perspective.  At HIS Haven Ranch, we will be here for our communities when this passes to provide a place for hope to grow.  We will continue to do this by standing firm on God's Word and sharing the Hope of Christ that lies within us.  We have found over and over again that our worst days with Jesus are WAY BETTER than our best days without Him!  And with a little help from our 4-legged friends, our beautiful horses, we will continue touching lives with hope one hoof beat at a time!

"Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth," 1 John 3:18. So what does love look like to you?  At HIS Haven Ranch, we believe love is not merely a sentiment but it's an action.  That's the reason why one component of our program is called a "Love List."  This is where the participant learns how to care for their horse and/or the Ranch by taking an action every week to help (aka chores).  To us, love looks like a volunteer spending  long summer days coaching a youngsters life lessons from the back of a horse.  It looks like volunteers coming together working side-by-side to complete projects.  Maybe it's the person who transports the ride program participant faithfully every week.  It could be the social worker that helps connect the families to our riding program.  Claiming to love is not enough.  Love requires action!  

In order for us to be able to love more consistently and extend the reach of love, we need your help!   We currently have an outdoor riding arena.  This can be challenging in Minnesota!  In 2018, we were blessed with a 36' x 64' pole shed so that we are able to bring the horses and riders inside if the weather turns inclement.  However, they are not able to have the full benefit of their time in the saddle.  And we know scientifically that the saddle time not only strengthens our physical body but it also changes the way we think by changing the chemicals inside our magnificent brains :)  We are currently raising funds to enclose approximately 1/3 of our existing outdoor riding arena.  This would provide for a covered 100' x 160' area so that we can provide all of our services no matter what the weather here in Minnesota.  

What's so exciting is that we currently have a two matching gifts:  $100,000 matching gift from a private donor AND a $10,000 matching gift from a corporate donor!!!!!

To date, HIS Haven Ranch has over 300 registered participants utilizing our services regardless of ability to pay.  These opportunities are made possible by the generosity of many partners!   We have provided services for residents in Scott, LeSueur, Rice, Blue Earth, Nicolllet, Carver, Waseca and Dakota counties.  Many of our participants travel 45 miles or more to attend our program.  In 2020, of those we are serving:

          *29% live in single parent families

          *35% are adopted or have lived in the foster care system or a group home

          *75% are young women under the age of 25

          *61% do not have a healthy relationship with their birth father

These numbers do not take into account the dozens of volunteers, the many groups we have visit HIS Haven Ranch annually totaling well over 200 youth/adults and our Annual BBQ & Fun Horse Show bringing in around 250 people annually.  It takes an army to raise an army!  

We hope you can see that we at HIS Haven Ranch are not only compelled by love but also driven by eternity!  We know that life is alot like being in the saddle.... there will be bumps and twists in the trail but when we keep our eyes forward fixed on the goal (Jesus) and our heels down deep (rooted in His Word), we will reach our destination (eternity with Him).  

Riding forward for His Glory!