Lifehouse Ranch - Funding Package

The Problem

Aussie Kids Face

2.7M

children experienced abuse

1.2M children go hungry

1 in 4 children experienced sexual abuse

1,300 reports of child abuse or neglect every single day

Aussie kids in out-of-home care are experiencing abuse in record numbers.

The last Children’s Home was closed in Australia in the 1980s and unplaced children are now housed in Residential and Commercial Care facilities owned and operated by State Governments.

Unfortunately, abuse has increased 400% since this change and today, children in out-of- home care are not safe.

At Lifehouse Ranch, we believe no children should experience neglect, abuse or abandonment...

EVER.

We Need Your Help...

The Solution Lifehouse Ranch’s safe Christian homes giving children a chance, a hope and a future

Keira’s Story

Keira grew up in a traumatic home and was forced by her mom to deal drugs from a young age. Abuse and neglect were a daily experience and at 10 years of age, Keira was hit by her mum’s friend so hard that her jaw was broken. At 10pm at night, Keira had the courage to leave the home, walk to the police station and report the abuse.

From that night on, Keira wasn’t touched again despite her brother and sister continuing to be forced to sell drugs and experience abuse.

At 14, Keira ran away from home and with nowhere to go, a family took her in and gave her a safe, loving, stable home. Keira and her boyfriend completed school and saved their first home deposit, often working five jobs at a time.

Today, Keira is living in her dream home with her devoted husband and three children. She is a qualified professional who spends her spare time growing food and making sourdough bread for her family.

Keira’s brother is in jail and her sister is a drug addict with all of her children taken in to the foster care system.

When someone is willing to recognise a child in need, and provide a safe, loving, stable home… everything changes.

Generational abuse, trauma and neglect can end in just one generation

Lifehouse Ranch exists to give children like Keira a chance, a hope and a future.

Where & Who

The first Lifehouse Ranch will be home to over 120 children in need.

Where We Are Based

The first Lifehouse Ranch will be located near Nambour in the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.

The 100+ acre property is a quiet retreat to provide healing, safety, and a stable loving family for the Lifehouse children residents.

Where We Serve

Children who are experiencing abuse, neglect or abandonment.

The Ranch welcomes children in private placements who are not currently under government guardianship.

Children range from 5 - 18 years and make Lifehouse Ranch their home until adulthood.

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We’ll Stick With You For Life

Our Values

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3

We’ll Always Tell You The Truth There Will Be Boundaries

Lifehouse Ranch is built upon the Biblical principles of family and aims to foster safety, connection, love and loyalty to raise children into adulthood.

Our values guide staff, houseparents and Lifehouse children to create healthy homes and relationships that embody these virtues:

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We Will Love You Unconditionally

Ranch Life

Home Life

Children live in a safe family home run by married Christian houseparents. Houseparents pass a rigorous selection process and training certification to ensure a traumainformed approach to raising children.

Full medical, food, education, clothing, and other costs of life are covered by the Ranch.

Ranch Life

The Ranch is a peaceful sanctuary of rolling hills, wildlife and food gardens. The property is sustainable with productive food gardens, laying hens, bore water, and a natural swimming lake.

The Community Area holding the Chapel, Barn and Amphitheatre represents the strong connection between the Ranch and local community with events and workshops

Real Life

Lifehouse Ranch will give children the chance to learn skills for adult living that they may not have learned otherwise.

These include driving a car, car maintenance, cooking, maintaining a home, budgeting + meal prep, healthy relationships, first aid, workout routines and more.

School Life

All Lifehouse Ranch children will receive a world-class, private Christian education at Nambour Christian College.

The College caters from Kinder to Year 12 and will support our trauma-informed approach to education whilst preparing Lifehouee children for a thriving career and life of leadership into adulthood.

Project Timeline

10 year plan (2024 - 2033)

Donor Platform, Land Procurement, Council Zoning / Approvals, Finalise Architecture, and Commence Fundraising.

Welcome the first 12 children. Build two homes, Wild-play area, Library, and Chapel.

Build two homes, Children’s Store, and Makers Workshop.

‘25 ‘27

Finalise Fundraising, Property infrastructure, First Two Homes, Food Garden + Orchard, Horses, Chickens, Bees, and Houseparent Recruitment.

Build two homes, Public Store with produce, and Supplies Pantry Shed.

Build Two homes and Swimming Hole. Equestrian Upgrade.

Build Two homes and Outdoor Ampitheatre.

Build Two homes and Large Multi-purpose Barn.

Build Two homes, and Admin/ Conference Building.

Completed Projects

• 20 homes

Build Four homes.

• Food Garden + Orchard Equine therapy facilities Chickens + Bees

• Wildplay Area

• Library + Chapel

• Supplies Pantry Shed Public store

• Children’s store

• Maker’s Workshop

• Large Multi-purpose Barn Swimming hole

• Admin Building Conference Building Outdoor Amphitheatre /9-10

Phases

Launch of first two homes at Lifehouse Ranch with food gardens + animal therapy

Phase 1 LAUNCH

(2024-2025)

Phase 2 CHILDREN FACILITIES (2026-2028)

Build private facilities for Lifehouse residents including: Wildplay Area, Library, Chapel, Children’s store and the Maker’s Workshop

Build community connection facilities including a Large Multi- purpose Barn, Swimming hole, Admin Building, Conference Building, Outdoor Amphitheatre

Phase 3 COMMUNITY FACILITIES

(2029-2033)

Phase 4 NEW LOCATION (2033)

20 homes completed with thriving private + community facilities. Launch new Ranch (in QLD or SA)

With 20+ Ranches around Australia, every child in need has the opportunity for a loving family, safe home, hope and a future.

Phase 5 RANCH PARTNERS

(2050)

Launch

The Homes

The large single-storey, barn-style, family homes have 3 wings. The middle is the main family living area, one side wing holds 6 bedrooms for Lifehouse children and the other is the bedrooms for the Houseparents retreat.

The Yard

The homes boast an outdoor entertaining area and small pool. Each home also has an outdoor barn which includes 2 car spaces, a workshop, storage room, and a small home gym.

Houseparents

Houseparents are a married Christian couple with a calling and heart to create safe, family homes for children in need. Houseparents care for three of their own and six Lifehouse Children (of the same gender).

Food Gardens

The property will be sustainable with bore water, solar power, food gardens and an orchard. This will not only provide a cost savings but also opportunities for responsibility and work amongst nature.

Chicken + Bees

Lifehouse children will learn about nature, responsibility and accountability through our large Chicken Coop and Beehives, as well as enjoy the fresh eggs and honey daily.

Animal Therapy

The Ranch places great importance on the role of horse and dog therapy for children healing from trauma. Therapists will often host counselling sessions in the stables with animals for support.

Children Facilities

Wild Play Area

Outdoor play, time in nature and environmental care are all core elements of the Ranch’s philosophy to children play. This WildPlay Area comes complete with obstacle courses, challenges and creeks.

Library + Chapel

The Chapel is a warm, sun- drenched, cosy space for children to rest, retreat, process and read. This space offers prayer and counselling for children processing trauma

Pantry Shed

Sponsors and local donors have generously dedicated pantry, fridge and freezer products to help run the homes at Lifehouse Ranch. The Pantry Shed is a space Houseparents can use to provide nutritious meals + snacks

Children’s Store

All children are clothed upon enrolment with a full wardrobe and are then given pocket money in the form of tokens at the Children’s Store. This store holds clothes, stationery and toys for boys + girls from 5-18 years.

Swimming Hole

This natural swimming lake is a safe, supervised space where Lifehouse children can swim and spend summer days on the man- made beach. Community events are also hosted here on occasion.

Maker’s Workshop

This is a place children can come to harness creativity into wood- working, jewellery making, craft, sewing and experience their therapeutic benefits.

Community Facilities

Public Store

Children are given the opportunity to create products or grow produce to sell for pocket-money at the Public Store. This is a part of Lifehouse’s Entrepreneur + Financial Literacy programs

Event Facilities

The Ranch will boast a large outdoor amphitheatre for private and community music and cinema events as well as a large multi-purpose barn.

Admin + Family Center

Lifehouse Ranch Admin Staff will long-term work onsite in a facility that also holds a Family Centre for children to visit with birth family members.

Our Partners

Big Oak Ranch Third Lens

Big Oak Ranch is the largest network of Christian Children’s homes in the US and has generously partnered with Lifehouse to resource and equip the Ranch from launch to sustainable legacy planning.

Greenspan

Lifehouse Ranch has partnered with Greenspan to supply all Ranch homes with their affordable, high-quality and rapid install construction homes.

Lifehouse has partnered with this global organisation of construction and design professionals who specialise in bringing humanitarian projects to life, all across the globe.

Bright Street Solutions

Bright Street is consulting on Lifehouse fundraising from grassroots initiatives to national partnerships. This includes robust financial transparency to ensure every dollar is stewarded wisely.

Plan

Boys’ Homes

Boys’ Store

Girl’s Homes

Girl’s Store

The Pantry

The Lake

Join Us Today!

Scan the code below to find out how you can get involved and help us give children a hope, a chance and a future!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

- Jeremiah 29:11