Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch

A VOLUNTEER’S PERSPECTIVEby Fran Newsom

Today, I arrived at the ranch a bit flustered because I was late, and a touch apprehensive because I was meeting a group of sixteen year old girls, for the first time.  Sixteen can be a hard time in life when it is not going your way, and many are trying to establish their own identities, which can sometimes cause trouble. That is when Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch steps in. The organization is wonderful, helping youth through multiple problems they face throughout life.

Five young ladies from a group foster home came to the ranch, all with a smile and ready to get on a horse, quickly changed my apprehension to feelings of compassion and hope. With that, the youth were separated into two groups. One group was able to ride while the other worked on ground manners with the horses. They were also able to put their right brain into action by painting colorful pictures on the sides of the horses. I was excited to see someone paint a horse because I had never witnessed that before!

Additionally, by the end of the session the young ladies did not want to leave the ranch. The ranch truly brings happiness and hope to the future for everyone who attends.