Crystal
Peaks Youth Ranch is a nonprofit organization that rescues abused and neglected
horses and pairs them with disadvantaged children—offering the children a place
of safety, peace, and hope.
What is the purpose of
Crystal Peaks
Youth Ranch?
The mission of the ranch is to
provide equine assisted, therapuetic care to disadvantaged children of all ages
and backgrounds—at no cost to the participant.
The ranch’s board members believe that no child, whether his challenge
be social, mental or physical, should be excluded from the benefits of this
life-changing therapy. Our
promise is one child with one horse and one counselor—100% of the time.
How did the ranch get
its start?
Troy and Kim Meeder founded Crystal Peaks Youth
Ranch in 1995. They transformed what
was once an abandoned cinder mine into a beautiful ranch. They began rescuing abused and neglected
horses in the Central Oregon area, and many of the rescued animalshorses (“angels in
horsehir”) now offer healing to ranch visitors.
Do Crystal Peaks ranch
staffers have specialized training?
Yes, mostall
ranch staff are H.S.A. Certified Equine Trainers with broad, credible
backgrounds in youth rehabilitation services. The founders of the ranch have
more than 40 years experience with disadvantaged youth.
How is the ranch’s
therapuetic environment unique?
There is no other
program in the United States based on the rescue of abused horses, pairing them with
disadvangated children for therapy, with one leader/one hourse/one child, free of
charge. For disadvantaged
children who visit the ranch, the equine assisted care is much more than “pony
rides.” The ranch’s
programming success is based on a “one to one” learning environment (one
child with one counselor and one horse) dedicated to restoring the
heart, soul, mind and strength of the child.
Unlike some ranchs which focus only on physical healing, Crystal Peaks
also works with children who experience invisible challenges of the mind and
spirit. The program is always free of cost to
partcipants.
Specifically, how do
counselors work with the children?
For some, the program consists of a single day of interaction with horse and counselor. For others, a lengthy plan is developed for their special needs. Once a critical therapeutic barrier is identified and defined, our students can enter a seven-level progrom. The rehabilitative process begins with extensive training in entry-level horsemanship. Then students are given opportunities for foundational therapeutic reconstruction of self-esteem, trust, goal setting and the introduction of a “can do” philosophy. Many of our graduates gain additional training to become ranch counselors for other young visitors.
How do children get to
participate in the program?
Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch works
with various social service agencies, public school systems and juvenile justice
departments
and personal referrals for selecting attendees. Since its founding in 1995, more than 25,000
children have visited the ranch,. In addition, many church and service groups
participate in a volunteer program, working with the horses and assisting in
maintenance and repair of Crystal Peaks.
Where can I read more about the ranch’s
success?
Kim Meeder’s new book, Hope Rising (Multnomah, August 2003), details unforgettable true stories of the horses and visitors at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. Many more stories remain to be told, so Kim invites you to visit the ranch—to meet the horses and children who have found hope and healing at the ranch.
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FAQ/page two
How does the ranch acquire its horses?
The majority of the
our
horses have been rescued from owners who abused or neglected them—we have helped to
rescue approximately 300 horses and about 25 live at the ranch today. The ranch most often has to purchase theabusedse
horses from the owners in order to rescue the animals. Rescue effort funding is provided by private
donors from all across the country.
How is Crystal Peaks
Youth Ranch funded?
The ranch does not receive any government funding. Support is derived through donations of
compassionate individuals and some private grants.
How can the public offer
support to the ranch?
For
information about how the public can help through financial donations, support
for the care of horses, volunteer opportunities or donations in kind, contact
Troy and Kim Meeder at 541.330.0123 or crypkranch@aol.com. Visit www.CrystalPeaksYouthRanch.org
for more information.
For interviews with
Kim Meeder regarding Hope Rising,
contact Pamela
McClure, MMPR, 615.595.8321