We are privileged to serve kids aged 5-18 and their families free of charge at the ranch.

At​ ​Hope​ ​Reins,​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​hurting​ ​people​ ​need​ ​hope,​ ​especially​ ​hurting​ ​kids. Thousands experience acute crisis in North Carolina every day.  Their trauma is a result of difficulties like physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, neglect, violence, illness, or death of a loved one.

With severe reductions in state-funded mental health and limited accessible services, hurting children and families in our region have few options to pursue healing.

A child experiencing acute crisis needs the foundational elements of healthy relationship: safety and trust. Rescued horses have a unique way of connecting to these needs through their own stories of rescue and restoration. Through establishing a safe and caring relationship, a person of faith and a rescued horse can help the child begin the process of healing.

Since 2010, Hope Reins has helped over 2,000 kids in life crisis from 14 eastern North Carolina counties through its 33-acre ranch, rescued horses and restoration in Christ.

With two fishing ponds, wooded trails, a community garden, 4,000 sq. ft. log cabin, and 15 rescued horses, the ranch is a beautiful and safe refuge.

Hurting kids connect with our horses because most are rescued from heartbreaking backgrounds of abuse themselves.

The horse’s story of rescue and redemption is the bridge to hope for the kids and their families. No place is this narrative exemplified more profoundly than in the Gospel of Jesus.

Almost half the nation’s children have experienced at least one or more types of serious childhood trauma, according to a new survey on adverse childhood experiences by the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH).

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are stressful or traumatic events, including abuse and neglect. They may also include household dysfunction such as witnessing domestic violence or growing up with family members who have substance use disorders.

In  North Carolina … almost 70,000 child abuse or neglect reports are filed annually

                                  … More than half of all children under age 5 live in poor homes              

                                 …. Kids living in foster care has ballooned 25 percent in just 5 years                                

                                 … suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-14

                                 … 26 percent of kids grades 9-12 felt sad or hopeless

Criteria for enrollment in services:

• Children and teens between the ages 5-18.
• Child or teen has a trauma history (ex: loss of a loved one, abuse, neglect) that has triggered a current crisis state for participant (ex: isolation, depression, anxiety, missing school or struggles in performing daily functions, suicide ideation or attempts).
• Child or teen must have the emotional, mental and physical capacity to fully participate in services at the ranch.
• Application for services must be completed by the child or teen’s legal guardian.
• Upon orientation, the child or teen must verbally opt-in for services—meaning he or she wants to be at Hope Reins.

Hope Reins serves these organizations by offering free programs to their kids and families at the ranch:

• Boys and Girls Club
• Durham Rescue Mission
• Refugee Hope Partners
• YMCA Community Hope