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

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:...

Live Nativity & Christmas in the Mountains – December 14

by Mandy Nester | Nov 21, 2019

Join us for our FREE drive-thru live nativity with a BRAND NEW Christmas in the Mountains feature! The Joy Ranch gym has been transformed into a cozy mountain village! After you step back in time and journey through our Drive-thru Live Nativity, take a stroll and...

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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.