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

Something to Celebrate

by Erin Austin | Apr 28, 2020

“The goat came back!” As odd as this may sound, this was a common phrase heard around campus all last week, and it was said with much excitement and more than a hint of shock and awe. We have a new Pygmy billy goat on campus. Everyone calls him something different,...

Kid’s Photo Contest

by Mandy Nester | Apr 27, 2020

Our kids have been busy practicing with the new digital cameras they received in their Easter baskets! Please check out their work and vote in our photo contest on Facebook.

Spring News

by Mandy Nester | Apr 23, 2020

April showers bring May flowers, as well as news from the Ranch! Enjoy our spring newsletter and let us know what you think. View/download the pdf here.

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Latest From Tales of a Houseparent Blog

Sew, Let’s Go!

by Mandy Nester | April 25, 2026 | Houseparent Blog, News | 0 Comments

It's been said that a quilt will warm your body and comfort your soul. If that's the case, a personalized quilt made with love will do even more than that! Back in the fall, Joy Ranch residents were blessed to receive handmade quilts personalized with each child's...

Chapter 11 – Light Moments

by Erin Austin | April 6, 2026 | Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog | 0 Comments

By: Erin Austin Life at Joy Ranch isn't all hard. In fact, I would say the good far outweighs the bad. We've learned to celebrate, laugh, and find joy in in simple things that many would bypass, but it's in those little victories that healing happens."We learned that...

Chapter 7 – Benny Lee

by Erin Austin | September 29, 2025 | Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog | 0 Comments

Chapter 7 - BENNY LEE (Excerpt from "Feed My Lambs", the Joy Ranch story) By Mary McHenry To the beginnings of Joy Ranch belongs the story of Benny Lee (not his real name), a boy who lived through 161 visiting Sundays at the home with no visitor he could really call...

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.