Light of Mine Ranch - Funding Initiative

light of mine ranch

funding initiative

A Place of Healing and Restoration for Children in Foster Care

this little light of mine

“A couple of years ago, my family started fostering two girls. Even though we knew they were not going to be with us forever, we still wanted to keep up with them even when they did not live under our roof. After reunification, they bounced around to a few different homeless shelters while waiting for housing. They spent many nights sleeping in a van, and I spent many nights praying they would be okay. When we got news of a major winter storm coming through the area, we were able to get in touch and help them get a hotel room for the weekend. While making the arrangements, we got to visit with the kids, hug, laugh, and rest. While we were all hanging out, the girls’ younger brother began to draw a picture for me. It was a man, a house, and some random letters. It was the kind of picture that would make any adult say “Oooh.. what’s that?”. He replied, “That’s you.” I said, “What does it say?”. Although the letters were jumbled and did not spell words, he looked at the paper, then he look up at me and he said, “It says LIGHT”.

I knew in that moment that something bigger than me was taking place. I knew that Christ was driving out darkness and that these children could see something that we sometimes cannot see, the overwhelming power of God’s light through love. Our goal is for every child to experience the love of our heavenly Father and allow that light to drive out darkness and bring healing and restoration that impacts generations!”

-Jordan Combs

Co-Founder of Light of Mine Ranch

OUr WhY

The Combs, founders of Light of Mine Ranch, often discussed the weighty darkness in the foster care system. It hovers over the old and new traumas of biological parents, the events leading up to a child being removed from their family, and it follows them to their placement into a stranger’s home. The darkness manifests itself physically in the facial expressions of a child. It is evident in the silence, the stoicism, the night terrors and fits. It brings its reminders of tangled, lice-filled hair, rotting teeth, rashes, bruises, hunger, and abuse. This darkness will not win.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) It is only a matter of time. The darkness begins to fade. When a child starts to receive unconditional love, support, safety, hope and healing, their face begins to light up! That has been our motivation. To drive out the darkness.

Quick Facts and Figures:

• 17,158 - Total reports made to Child Protection Services

• 1,581 - Children in Foster Care (average number per month)

• 865 - Total number of Licensed foster homes

• 287 - Average Number of Days from Initial Placement to Reunification

• 16% of children who aged out of foster care, had been in care since before age 13

• 6% live with a relative or other guardian out of state

• 25% of adoptions were out of state

• 9% of those emancipated moved out of state

• 48% of reunifications were out of state

our mission

Light of Mine Ranch will bring generational change in the lives of children who are abused, neglected, and abandoned. It will be a place where children in foster care are loved unconditionally and experience the impact of having a family rather than an institution.

The love, support, and resources we will provide to children in foster care will help prepare each child for the road ahead and ensure they always have a place to call home.

Cultural Awareness

Our goal at Light of Mine Ranch is to offer opportunities for children to stay connected to their culture and traditional ways of life. We plan to offer a variety of educational opportunities such as dancing, storytelling, language, art, and cooking.

a home for healing and restoration

Individual Family Homes:

Light of Mine Ranch is great opportunity to support foster families on a centralized property. Potential foster parents are often hesitant or never even get started because they do not have the resources to support multiple children. We believe there can be incredible support for children and families in a noninstitutional environment, including:

• Homes with 7 to 8 bedrooms

• Support for large sibling groups

• Vehicles to support 6 or more passengers

• Education on WIC and childcare support

• A centralized location for cultural awareness

• Education for foster parents on discipline and parenting

• Oversight on individual house budgets, ensuring good stewardship

• Full time house parents devoted to fulfilling the children’s appointments

• Opportunities for children to play sports, get music lessons, learn skills, go on trips, go to camps, ride horses, go skiing, ride dirt bikes

An early phase Light of Mine Ranch that is fully operational has the potential to house

5 foster families and 3o children in foster care.

Ranching:

Ranching is about more than just taking care of animals; our unique model allows for children to have responsibilities and learn new life skills, while learning how to be a part of a family. The fruits of the family’s hard work will then be sold and used as a way to support themselves and continue the growth and vision at Light of Mine Ranch.

Site plan

stewardship through partnership

Due to the collaborative efforts of these ministry partners, Light of Mine Ranch can thrive and find support to live out the vision that is set before them. Third Lens allows for us to skip a lot of the learning stages in the building process and sets up organizations to safeguard resources and protect the investments we have made. Planting Oaks has paved the way in this model of ministry which has allowed us to see it lived out and make an impact. Their overall mission and vision is something we model our own ministry closely after. Fountain Springs Church, along with other churches, has supported Light of Mine’s mission. These relationships are something we continually want to foster because a ministry connected to church family is always more impactful than one that tries to do it alone. Lastly, Focus on the Family has provided tangible needs like suitcases and Bibles which will make a lasting impact for longer than they will ever know.

Phase 1: Acquire and develop land, Build Homes 1 and 2

Phase 2: Build a barn, Acquire animals and equipment

Phase 3: Build Homes 3 and 4, a gym, and other facilities

Phase 4: Continue to expand current model as land and resources allow

Ranch Location: Rapid City, SD

Founders: Jordan and Mallory Combs

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5: 14-16