Roxy Young
|
Roxy never imagined she would end up with a life combining her two loves of helping hurting children and horses. When God called her to start RYR, she had very little experience working with horses. So, with utmost determination, she has devoted the last few years studying under master horseman Buck Brannaman. At RYR Roxy is responsible for selecting and training all the horses that serve our youth. One of her greatest joys is bringing a frightened and anxiety-ridden horse to a place of peace, rest, and a good frame of mind. The only joy that trumps that is doing the exact same thing for children.
Having come from a childhood of abuse and living in constant fear, Roxy empathizes with the brokeness, hurt, and devastation that many of our ranch youth have endured. However, as also having experienced the restoration of Jesus' saving grace and healing love, there is a hope of freedom and victory that she longs to share. When a child receives God's love there is a peace that settles in their soul. Roxy is so honored to have the privilege and purpose in life to provide a safe place where downcast eyes can light up, a little girl who doesn't talk can share her heart, and walls can shatter like broken glass. |
Chad Young
|
Chad, being new to ranch life back in 2013, had been a mentor long before he ever knew he would be called to do this ministry. In his early college years he worked as a recreation leader at a Teen Center. While there he mentored the local teens, many of which came from group homes. After college he started a video and photography business called Cinematic Edge. His business model was to train up high school students to learn the trade of photography and video and then become the crew that would film their community events. This gave much opportunity to mentor and lead young people.
|
Bryan McAlister
|
Bryan McAlister is a civil engineer and surveyor who raised two boys in Nevada County. Bryan loves just about any kind of outdoor adventure whether it’s in the mountains, at the ocean, or in some faraway place. He also loves the Lord and enjoys fellowship, worship, and serving others. This combination of adventure, faith, and serving others is what led Bryan to the ranch. He enjoys the family connection of serving with faith-based ministry groups, having grown up as a missionary kid in Papua New Guinea. Bryan has worked with youth at church camps, as a leader with Boy Scouts, on missions trips, and as a mentor to high school and college students who are interested in engineering.
|
Sarah Kozycz
|
Sarah grew up in California and Paraguay, South America. She loves animals and is a proud caretaker to 3 cats (Astrid, Straw Hat, and Domino) and a Leopard Gecko (Ralph). For work she keeps an office space up and running in Folsom. She was blessed to be able to own and train her own horse in Paraguay in Spanish. She is very excited and thankful to be a part of this season at RYR and she is confident that the Lord will show up in His faithful way. Some of her interests in this time of her life are fellowshipping in Bible studies, recording music, cooking up new recipes, and working on her fantasy novel. She has worked with various Christian groups going on mission trips, teaching Sunday School, and singing worship.
|
Kelsy Layton
|
Kelsy Layton grew up in Northern California and enjoyed exploring the region before spending some time traversing the South. Besides traveling she loves learning and majored in Biblical Studies before serving as a youth pastor and teacher. Her passion for learning and enjoying the outdoors collided beautifully with this wonderful experience of serving as a caretaker and mentor at Redemption Youth Ranch where she is blessed to learn daily about God, His creation, and His steadfast love and faithfulness.
|
Rachel Baxter
|
Rachel Baxter is a high schooler who has felt a distinct call from God to start a ranch like RYR overseas since she was a very little girl. She loves Jesus and horses, along with writing stories and reading, but her main focus is always on preparing for her future ranch and helping hurting kids. She has been so grateful to God for bringing many opportunities for her to volunteer at similar ranches in the area, and you can't imagine her amazement when God brought the Youngs to her homeschooling community a couple years ago, where Taylor is in her class. She is thrilled to be a part of the Redemption Youth Ranch team now and to pour into, and learn from, the family of kids, volunteers, and equines here!
|
Suzi Baxter
|
Suzi Baxter loves Jesus, her family and camping, and she homeschools her daughter who has spent the past 10 years inundating her mom with everything she needs to know about horses and how God uses them! Her daughter Rachel has felt called by God to start a ranch like RYR overseas since she was little, so Suzi does whatever she can to support Rachel in her calling, and likes to volunteer alongside her when she can. She is thankful to be at RYR where she can meld her love of Jesus and her firm belief (through both faith and experience) that God is bigger, and He loves, cares, and hears- by praying around the ranch (literally!) for the sessions, herd, volunteers, kids, and families.
|
Tessa Hale
|
Tessa was born and raised here in Nevada County. She married her husband almost 7 years ago and are now raising her 3 boys. Her life consists of lots of adventures, outdoor activities, following Christ, and loving her family with all she's got. She is constantly reminded of God’s love and new mercies every day and she loves that she gets to share with those around her. This is her 2nd year as a mentor at RYR. Tessa's has a love for kiddos and looks forward to each season here at the ranch.
|
Taylor Young
|
Taylor has been serving at RYR from the very beginning. She was born in Southern California, but when she moved up with the family to Grass Valley, it didn't take long for her love for horses and kids to come alive. She also loves to do archery, fishing, games, art and piano. Taylor is a fun loving girl who is bound to make you laugh.
|
Jeremiah Young
|
Jeremiah is a fun and caring kid with a whole lot of energy to share. Which his compassionate heart, he has stepped up to mentor a younger youth and be like a big brother to him. Session after session he is there to talk with and encourage while having fun kayaking in the pond or woodworking. Always taking every opportunity to show them the love of Christ. He is also a great help to Chad as they work to maintain the beauty of the ranch.
|
Abby Hidalgo
|
Abigail was born into a loving Christian home in Roseville California but when she was 3 months old moved to Selmer Tennessee. The neighbors beautiful black horse immediately grabbed her attention. As Abby learned to walk, her mom would take Abby out to the pasture to pet the horse. Soon, she was pointing to the top of the horse and asking in her baby babble to get on it. With the horse being lead by a lead rope, little 2 year old Abby would sit on its back holding tight to its mane and walk all around the property. Since then she has had a strong connection with horses and dreams of owning a horse ranch. She is always looking for ways to serve the Lord and spend as much of her day with horses as possible. She is so grateful to be a part of Redemption Youth Ranch. What a perfect blend of Abby’s love for horses and her heart to serve.
|
Gina McGirr
|
Gina is an event planner for a large software company and owns a small farm with her husband David. At RYR she is able to combine her administrative skills and love for the outdoors by caring, empowering and praying for kids and their caregivers.
As the oldest of 4 children, she always was responsible for her younger siblings and cousins, so she created fun games, plays and “adventures” to keep everyone occupied. She is always ready to lend an ear to the children’s caregivers, as she is a caregiver too. She wants all who come to the ranch to know that there is an amazing God who loves them, who heals, who has a special plan for each, and who wants to know them dearly. Gina loves worship, animals (all), sports (all), farm life, travel, and goofing off. She is the administrative support, assisting Roxy and Greeter and Secretary for the RYR Board Members. She also serves as the Drop Off Leader for Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritans Purse ministry. Gina is looking forward to meeting you! |
Darlene dytche
|
Coming Soon!
|