2025 Letter from our Founder

Dear Friends,

As I watched the leaves of summer turn rapidly to fall, my thoughts, reflecting on the year and all that’s come to pass, brought these words to mind.

“In this time of desperation, when all we know is doubt and fear, there is only one foundation: WE BELIEVE!” from We Believe, Newsboys.

What is the foundation of any life or society if not what we believe? Belief influences how we view the world, how we relate to others, and how we see ourselves, which shapes our future. This year, the national atmosphere filled with political conflict has led to increased feelings of insecurity, defensiveness, and a loss of perceived safety — beliefs and values that form the core of our lives. Children are more affected by this turbulence because their foundation is still forming.

Bobby began coming to Peace Ranch when he was 12. The home was filthy, with animal feeces on the floor, and kids starving while their parents partied. Multiple efforts to help only resulted in years of neglect and abuse.

He was tentative when he first came to Peace, but he began to find his courage through a horse named Vinnie. Vinnie was raised at Peace and offered strength and stability. At first, Bobby needed someone he could lean on and then someone who believed in him so he could learn to believe in himself.

Tanya’s mom was married to a man who drank and beat her routinely. When Tanya was not quite 2 years old, her mother tried to commit suicide by setting their house on fire while they were in it! She was afraid of everything when she came to Peace, but she found her courage in a miniature horse named Cocoa. Cocoa had come to Peace from a woman who had rescued him at a Shipshewana auction. His mane was full of lice, but his heart was full of love. Cocoa helped Tanya feel accepted and believe she was lovable.

Each year, Peace Ranch provides hundreds of hours of trauma therapy to people, young and old, who trust us with their broken lives. They come from many different backgrounds, and have very different stories, but they share one common experience: they have survived a war, whether in another country, in their homes, or in their heads- ALL of which left them feeling hopeless, void of belief in anything or anyone.

This year, please give generously; To support transformation in lives ravaged by abuse, neglect, and war, and to restore hope and healing in broken hearts and lives so they can heal and believe again.