Fall Appeal 2026
Dear Friends,
One of the most meaningful parts of my work at The Ranches is watching our kids discover things about themselves that they may not have known were there.
When a child first comes through our front gates, there is often a great deal they are still trying to figure out. They are learning a new environment, meeting new people, and adjusting to expectations that may be very different from what they have experienced before. For some, simply getting comfortable enough to trust the people around them can take time.
We understand that every child arrives with a different story. Because of that, there is no single path or formula for helping them move forward. What works for one child may not work for another. Our job is to meet each of them where they are and provide the consistency, guidance, and opportunities they need to take the next step.
Sometimes that next step is a very practical one. It may be learning to keep a schedule, take care of personal responsibilities, or follow through on a commitment. Other times, it is much more personal. It may be learning how to handle frustration without giving up, accepting that mistakes are part of life, or realizing that asking for help is not a weakness.
These are the lessons that often stay with a person long after they leave our campus.
We also want our kids to have the chance to find things they enjoy and things they are good at. A new activity, a job on campus, time with animals, a successful day at school, or simply accomplishing something they have worked hard to achieve can make a tremendous difference. Experiences like these give kids the opportunity to see themselves in a different light.
I have seen how powerful it can be when a child realizes, perhaps for the first time, “I can do this.”
That confidence does not come from one accomplishment. It comes from having people around them who are willing to encourage them, hold them accountable, and give them another opportunity when things do not go as planned. It comes from having a place where their successes are celebrated and their mistakes can become opportunities to learn.
This is also where our donors play such an important role.
The generosity of our supporters helps make it possible for our kids to have experiences that go far beyond the basic necessities of daily life. It allows us to provide activities, educational opportunities, counseling, vocational experiences, recreational programs, and the many other pieces that come together to prepare a young person for life.
While our donors may not always see these moments firsthand, I see them every day. I see the student who begins taking pride in their schoolwork. I see the young person who learns to handle a difficult situation differently than they once would have. I see kids discovering interests, developing friendships, accepting responsibility, and beginning to make decisions with their future in mind.
And then there are the moments that bring everything into perspective.
A young person reaches a goal they have worked toward for months. Someone who once needed constant encouragement begins encouraging someone else. A child who once had difficulty envisioning a future for themselves begins talking about what they want their life to look like after The Ranches. These are the moments when we get a glimpse of what all those small steps have accomplished.
Our ultimate hope is that when our kids leave us, they take more than a diploma or a completed program with them. We want them to leave with a better understanding of themselves, the confidence to make good decisions, and the skills to navigate whatever comes next.
I am grateful to the people who make that possible. The support of our donors becomes part of the everyday experiences that shape our kids’ time here. It helps provide the people, programs, and opportunities that allow us to give each child the attention they deserve.
We may never know which conversation will make a lasting impression, which opportunity will spark an interest, or which small accomplishment will give a child the confidence to try something bigger. But we know that all of those moments matter.
And for me, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a young person leave The Ranches with a sense of direction, a belief in themselves, and the knowledge that they are capable of more than they once thought. Thank you for allowing us to provide this to them.
Sincerely,
Mikela Kull – President
Your Support Will Make All The Difference!
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