His children shall have a place of refuge. Proverbs 14:26

Our Mission

Provide a safe, caring, and Christ-centered home to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, and social needs of children in crisis.

How To Help

Partner with us today! There are many ways that you can help a child in need. We accept monetary & non-monetary donations and can come speak to your organization about our mission.

Donate

Volunteer

Be a part of what is happening at Joy Ranch! There are opportunities for churches, service groups, and individuals alike.

Find Your Spot

Our Team

Our staff is more than just a group of employees: we believe that each team member is an essential part of the Joy Ranch family.

Meet Our Incredible Team

Get Our Newsletter

Want to keep up with what's happening at Joy Ranch? Join our mailing list to get newsletters from us straight to your inbox.

Our Work

News & Events

Valentine’s Day

by Kelley Pratt | Mar 9, 2020

It has been a few weeks since Valentine's Day. It was such a fun day for all the kids, and there was a lot of celebrating going on! The boys celebrated with special Valentine's traditions, gifts and surprises, and sweets from a local baker. The girls were thrilled...

I’m Sorry

by Bethany Collins | Feb 23, 2020

“I’m sorry” We have all received an apology that was less than heart-felt. Saying sorry is something everyone has to do at some point in their life. It is also something everyone struggles with at some point in their life. Sometimes it is hard to know the right thing...

Joy Ranch on Kingdom Pursuits!

by Mandy Nester | Feb 18, 2020

Saturday, February 22 at 11 am Joy Ranch will be featured on the Kingdom Pursuits radio program out of Winston Salem, NC! Please make sure you listen live to hear from our Director, Dan, as well as some of our kids. Here's the link to listen online:...

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A Homeless Boy

by Erin Austin | July 1, 2025 | All, Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog, News | 0 Comments

Blog by Erin Austin Working with traumatized, abused children is one of the hardest things a person can do. It is heartbreaking, exhausting, and at times, intense. It is not easy. The things we hear and see are mind-boggling. A well-meaning person once told me after I...

Footsteps

by Erin Austin | June 12, 2025 | Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog | 0 Comments

I’ve always been fascinated by people’s stories. How did they get to this point in life? What happened in their past? Who helped mold and shape them into the person they are today? What is their story?

The Teacher is the Student

by Mandy Nester | January 28, 2025 | Houseparent Blog | 2 Comments

Learning is a beautiful blessing, isn’t it? Even as a 42-year-old homeschooling mom of three boys, there are still so many things to learn in life. Each day, I start my morning reading from the best book that was ever written, the Holy Bible. The Word teaches me so...

Celebrating 60 Years Helping Kids in 2021.

Since opening its doors in 1961 under the direction of the Rev. Richard and Mary McHenry, Joy Ranch, has served over 5000 children and their families in crisis.

History of Joy Ranch

Faith Funded

Joy Ranch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your gifts are tax deductible. Joy Ranch is funded by faith through donations from individuals, churches and other organizations. Joy Ranch is licensed by the state of Virginia but receives no yearly-allocated state funding. We abide by the standards for membership in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.