Crooked Creek Ranch is a place where those in the community (children, teens, adults, families) who have been identified as at-risk by local churches, agencies or shelters are invited to come for comfort, acceptance and the thrill and challenge of riding horses and communing with nature. At the ranch, guests engage in activities such as learning to ride and groom horses, riding bicycles, playing volleyball and basketball, participating in donkey races, playing yard games and petting and interacting with bunnies and goats. They can play on our gym equipment or spin in our tire swing or simply take a leisurely walk in a country meadow or wooded trail that is not readily available to most people that we serve.

Snacks around a campfire and wagon and tractor rides encourage sharing life experiences and leave guests feeling that at Crooked Creek labels are forgotten and the things they do not have or cannot do no longer matter. At Crooked Creek they learn what they can do; that they are valued; and that they can contribute.

The amenities at the ranch are offered AT ABSOLUTELY NO COST to the agencies that participate in the program. The programs at the ranch are run entirely on the efforts of the owner and non-paid volunteers. In addition to serving the community the program also provides an opportunity for St. Joseph County area residents to give of their time and learn the many obligations that go into running a horse ranch, as well as the unique responsibilities inherent in working with people who need support. Our volunteer-to-guest ratio is high. We provide one-on-one guidance as guests learn to trust our volunteers and our animals until they eventually are able to experience the freedom and power of riding alone on our trails or the comfort and peace that comes with grooming and loving the animals.

Mutual trust is one of the primary goals of the outreach program. It is also a goal to provide guests with a safe, relaxed, non-judgmental place where they can temporarily forget some of the troubles of their current situation and simply have a great time! Crooked Creek Ranch is committed to helping guests feel comfortable and to teaching them how to interact with the animals. It is a new and different experience for many. Most of the guests have been abused or neglected or singled out in some way that has caused them to be wary and cautious. When people experience hard times, it is often difficult for them to find happiness and to feel their personal worth. We do this work because we believe that nature, horses and sincere caring and acceptance that stems from unconditional love can heal many wounds. We want them to feel more hopeful that their lives will change for the better after their ranch experience.

It is also our desire for guests to experience and learn better communication skills and gain valuable lessons that will improve their quality of life. We believe many lessons are demonstrated and taught through building relationships with animals and especially with horses. We surround our guests with experiences that show how true friendship and loyalty transcends differences of race, gender, and even species (animals and humans). We help guests discover that good things can be free, like the sweet scent of a flower or newly mown grass, the beauty of a sunset, the warmth of a horse's breath on their shoulders, the stillness of quiet moments spent in an open field or in the shade of our woods. We demonstrate how sometimes teamwork can make a job easier and more fun.