The Origin

Hope Ranch for Women began in 2011 through a vision one of its founders received during time spent in prayer.

In this vision, Cathy Turner saw women being exploited and abused: “I saw them believing that no one cared.”

God spoke to Cathy, saying He heard the cry of the broken, that He knew the details of their lives.

With compassion and faith but little understanding of what was to unfold, Cathy began walking the path she believed God had set out before her. He led her to the family that owned the house she saw in her vision.

A charitable donation made it possible for Hope Ranch to purchase that house and, in January of 2019, the first resident walked through the front door and called it home.

By 2013, Hope Ranch for Women had incorporated and become more reality than vision.

In 2013, Hope Ranch developed its equine program through the expertise of Catherine (Cat) Smith. Cat is a certified Faith-Based Equine-Assisted philosophy facilitator and professional horse specialist.

Under the direction of Cathy Cooper, our mentoring program was well underway in 2014 and Hope Ranch officially received its 501(c)3 nonprofit status. Women’s lives were being changed.

In 2015, Karen DeWerff became a member of the Hope Ranch Board of Directors as its Spiritual Director.

At that time, Karen also began working on the organization’s business model, curriculum, policies, and procedures, ensuring all were fully integrated with the spiritual mission of Hope Ranch.

In a leap of faith from both Hope Ranch and Karen DeWerff, Karen was hired in 2017 as the full-time Managing Director for Hope Ranch for Women! We are blessed to have her as our first employee.

2011

The Holy Spirit moved our founders to create Hope Ranch for Women

2012

Our mentoring program officially began

2013

Our Hope Ranch North home was located and purchased
Our Hope Ranch South equestrian program began
We held our Barn Blessing at Hope Ranch South

2014

Hope Ranch officially achieved 501c3 status
building began on the indoor arena of Hope Ranch South
Hope Ranch received pledges for the home mortgage of Hope Ranch North

2015

Home renovations on Hope Ranch North were completed
22 mentors and 15 equine shadowers joined the Hope Ranch team

2016

the Hope Ranch home and property mortgage was paid off by generous donors
development of outside landscaping and pond renovations on the north property were completed
Over 156 volunteers clocking over 3,400 hours worked on the residence and property this year
Women from Beloit, Kansas made and delivered beautiful quilts for our residential bedrooms
An overnight retreat was held for mentees and mentors at the home
Devoted metors spent over 2,400 hours with mentees and personally covered over $7,700 in mentoring program expenses
Equine volunteers gave over 4,600 hours supporting the equine learning program
3 horses and 14 shadowers served over 30 women in 425 private sessions and 12 group sessions

2017

Hope Ranch received unanimous zoning approval to serve even more women in the residential home
The equine facility's new "potter's shed" was finished, complete with a donated potter's wheel
Several team members attended the 2017 "sheltered conference"
Hope Ranch remodeled 3 homes, now established for rent and providing income toward our goals
Hope Ranch officially joined the National Christian Sheltered Alliance
Hope Ranch hired Karen DeWerff as Managing Director, our first official employee!

2018

Hope Ranch hited two residential coaches to serve as staff in the residential home.
Karen DeWerff transitioned to be our very own residential director!
Our residential home finally opened, with a newly hired case manager and part-time residential coaches brought in!

2019

Hope Ranch received the very first resident into its home!
After serving six residents, Hope Ranch through a phone call with Jeanne Allert, NTSA, received a verbal A+ review.
Eight women and one unborn baby were served by the home this year.

2020

All three Methods continued to operate under safe protocols during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Hope Ranch hired John Oelze as full-time Executive Director.
Cathy Turner transitioned to Chairman of Board.
After completing her goals, Karen DeWerff announced her retirement and Jackie Davis was hired as Residential Director.
Cathy Cooper, volunteer director of mentoring, stepped back into her full-time role as a Pastor's Wife and Linda Oelze was hired as a full-time mentor and community director.
 

2011

The Holy Spirit moved our founders to create Hope Ranch for Women

2012

 
Our mentoring program officially began
 

2013

Our Hope Ranch North home was located and purchased
Our Hope Ranch South equestrian program began.
We held our Barn Blessing at Hope Ranch South.

2014

 
Hope Ranch officially achieved 501c3 status
Building began on the indoor arena of Hope Ranch South
Hope Ranch received pledges for the home mortgage of Hope Ranch North
 

2015

The indoor arena of Hope Ranch South was completed.
Home renovations on Hope Ranch North were completed
22 mentors and 15 equine shadowers joined the Hope Ranch team

2016

 
The Hope Ranch home and property mortgage was paid off by generous donors
Development of outside landscaping and pond renovations on the north property were completed.
Over 156 volunteers clocking over 3400 hours worked on the residence and property in 2016
Women from Beloit Kansas made and delivered beautiful quilts for our residential bedrooms
An overnight retreat was held for mentees and mentors at the home
Devoted mentors spent over 2400 hours with mentees and personally covered over 7700 dollars in mentoring program expenses
Equine volunteers gave over 4600 hours supporting the equine learning program
3 horses and 14 shadowers served over 30 women in 425 private sessions and 12 group sessions
 

2017

Hope Ranch received unanimous zoning approval to serve even more women in the residential home
The equine facility's new potter's shed was finished, complete with a donated potter's wheel
Several team members attended the 2017 Sheltered Conference
Hope Ranch remodeled 3 homes, now established for rent and providing income toward our goals.
Hope Ranch officially joined the National Christian Sheltered Alliance
Hope Ranch hired Karen DeWerff as Managing Director, our first official employee!

2018

 
Hope Ranch hired two residential coaches to serve as staff in the residential home.
Karen DeWerff transitioned to be our very own residential director!
Our Residential Home finally opened, with a newly hired case manager and part-time residential coaches brought in!
 

2019

Hope Ranch received the very first resident into its home!
After serving six residents, Hope Ranch through a phone call with Jeanne Allert, NTSA, received a verbal A+ review.
Eight women and one unborn baby were served by the home this year.

2020

 
All three Methods continued to operate under safe protocols during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Hope Ranch hired John Oelze as full-time Executive Director.
Cathy Turner transitioned to Chairman of Board.
After completing her goals, Karen DeWerff announced her retirement and Jackie Davis was hired as Residential Director.
Cathy Cooper, volunteer director of mentoring, stepped back into her full-time role as a Pastor's Wife and Linda Oelze was hired as a full-time mentor and community director.

Looking to the Future

With solid foundations, Hope Ranch for Women is striving to multiply and expand our programs with vision for the future. 

This includes

A 30-to-60-day Emergency Shelter to help women stabilize before entering our Residential Home

A Transitional Graduate Home to help women step into semi‑independent living

As it grows, Hope Ranch for Women is committed to helping all who reach its doors, whether survivor or employee, volunteer or donor. Hope Ranch offers hope and healing for those who need it.