Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch Co

Mentor the Child Session program accomplishments during 2023Session ProgrammingThe Crystal Peaks staff & Volunteer interns completed 1,314 sessions over the season, which includes the following:-Crystal Peaks served 142 families with children ages 6-18 in its core session program.-515 one-on-one sessions were completed with the use of an equine partner.-Additionally, 254 children rode in a group-style setting last year.-The Crystal Peaks staff completed 53 one-on-one sessions from our referral programs. These mentor sessions are for children in significant at risk situations. Our Referral Program encompassed 4% of all sessions in 2023,which we are purposefully re-establishing connections to grow this percentage in 2024.-CPYR hosted 9 session groups over the 2023 season; approximately one large group each month which equates to one large group each month. These groups were mostly life skills classrooms from within the Central Oregon school districts or one of our referral partners who also serve kids & families.Volunteer Intern ProgramIn addition to our staff leading sessions, tours, and groups, we trained & equipped 4 full-time volunteer "interns" from all across the world. We hosted 2 from the U.S., one from Germany and one from Australia. The goal of our Internship Program is to teach these individuals to listen to the dreams that God has put on their hearts in starting or working at a ministry similar to CPYR. By the end of their internship, the goal is to not only have fully equipped session leaders who can work with kids and horses, but adults who can impact the world by sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. Over the course of the 2023 session season, the interns volunteered approximately 4,540 hours of their time and led 541 sessions. Family Support ResourcesIn 2023, Crystal Peaks continued to focus on growing its family support programs. As a result, food, financial assistance, clothing, books, toys, fuel, transportation needs, and community connections were given to dozens of local families in need of supportive resources. In addition to the donation room and in-kind donations, Crystal Peaks received $2,000 in gift card donations to be given to families in need throughout the year. Outreach to Visitors-Crystal peaks hosted 79 tours in 2023, which total almost 300 people.-Crystal Peaks hosted approximately 5,479 visitors in 2023, including children who came to CPYR to participate in the session program.

Hope for the Family Accomplishments in 2023Refuge FellowshipThe Ranch continued to host monthly Refuge Fellowship gatherings throughout 2023. We hosted Refuge on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, and the attendance to each one of these events fluctuated between 150-260 people. We estimate that approximately 2,345 total people came to Refuge last year. Family Events-Kids Gardening Class Last year we added a kids gardening class to our programming. We hosted 12 families every 8 weeks to be able to plant seeds, tend to the sprouts, then we harvested the fruits of their labor in the fall. For the fall harvest, we had a hot dog & corn roast (with corn the kids grew!) and in total had almost 70 people at the harvest. This additional event was created as a way to get kids & families out who either have children 5 years old and under, or who were put on our back-fill list for sessions. -Harvest Days Families were invited to come harvest our root vegetable patch and take part in breakout classes led by our staff to create fun, positive learning opportunities for kids & parents to experience together. Sewing, woodworking, making applesauce, leatherworking, and a kids sensory hay maze were offered. In addition to making positive memories as a family unit, the participants learned life skills that they can now use to be able to cut costs and repurpose items in their own homes. As we are able to continue to grow fruits & vegetables on the property, we are hopeful for our Harvest Day to become a literal harvest of our own orchard that teaches kids & families how to correctly can and store their own food. In 2023, we had 75 people attend our Harvest Day.-Family Fun DayFamily Fun Day is a kick-off to the summer for all families to join in on a Bible-themed afternoons of activities. The heart of this event is to create lasting memories for kids & families who otherwise might not have the ability to experience Christ-centered, wholesome fun together. We had more than 60 people attend an afternoon of woodworking, watercolor worship, making bird feeders, and enjoying craft-made dirt & worms while learning encouraging stories of faith.Food Production -We harvested about 2,600 onions and 4,000 pounds of potatoes from the CPYR root vegetable garden last fall before and during one of our annual Harvest Days. With those potatoes & onions, we were able to bless 50+ families (and counting) and donate hundreds of pounds of food to local food shelters. -In addition, the greenhouse on the main ranch continued to bless families with ripe heirloom produce all season, including tomatoes, cucumbers, swiss chard, rhubarb, peppers, figs, pumpkins, carrots, peas, green beans, and a variety of herbs. Anyone visiting the Ranch is offered fresh fruits & vegetables to take as much as they can use. Because of this, we saw kids truly turning the corner to enjoy the process of gardening and being willing to try a larger variety of foods that they otherwise may not have. What a joy to see kids try these rich, delicious foods for the first time-and love them - because they grew them.Referral Organization Partnerships -CPYR continued to invest in making connections with local organizations, creating the opportunity for families to participate in our programming who otherwise would not know that our program is available to the children they serve. Because our services are completely free of charge, there are many children and teens who are able to receive the support and care they are desperate for in an area where our local social service organizations are over-run with more needs than resources available. CPYR provides priority scheduling for these families that enter CPYR through our referrals, and we led 93 sessions through our referral partnerships last year. The percentage of our referral sessions dipped a little from the previous year due to staff changes in the referral organizations that led to gaps in consistency of referring, but our team is putting time and effort into re-establishing those connections and look forward to growing this program partnership back up in the future. In-Kind Donations & Donor Partnerships-In-kind donations of non-perishable food, clothing, shoes, and all-weather gear continues to rise. We had 34 in-kind donors who gave a total of $5,650 in 2023. We believe this number continues to grow in part because of our improved communication to the public, but also largely due to families who have received from the ministry coming back to bless other families in need. We received hundreds of in-kind donations last year, and we expanded to partner with a global non-profit called Lionheart Ministries, which sends Christ-centered childrens books to be distributed to any & all visitors who want resources to break down the message of the Gospel into palatable conversations with kids. -We also continued to partner with a national distributor to provide individually packed snacks, laundry soap, vitamins and dietary supplements which were generously donated to those who attend CPYR programming & events. Volunteer Programming-We also continued to invest in and develop our Volunteer Programming. We had 343 total volunteers, which consisted of local, regional and international individuals. Of those 343, 124 individuals came out with a large group from outside of Central Oregon. With their dedication to serve Crystal Peaks in the day-to-day operational needs, as well as work on building projects and facilities maintenance, volunteers giving their time and talents allowed CPYR to maintain a high level of stewardship for the original 9-acre property, and to further develop the additional 91-acres on the lower portion of the property. -CPYR volunteers (local, short-term, and volunteer groups) devoted 3,636 man hours to develop, maintain, and assist all aspects of the ministry in 2023.

Rescue the Equine accomplishments during 2023AdministrationCrystal Peaks created a four equine role and filled a paid staff position titled Equine Assistant. The Equine Assistant supports the Equine Manager and Equine Coordinator in overseeing care of the CPYR herd. This position provides up to 35 hours a week of assistance to the Equine Manager through a wide variety of tasks, including, but not limited to, horse health and nutrition, minor vetting, rotational grazing, rescue evaluations, training numerous horses, and staff training as it relates to equines.Herd Management-Crystal Peaks partnered with the Deschutes County Sheriffs Department to adopt a rescue horse named Honor. Two local news stations covered the story and televised the adoption to our community.-The Ranch rescued three starving horses, two of whom were given a Body Score Condition of 1 (the lowest possible score for a horse to have and still be alive). All three horses underwent a huge recovery process and were fully restored to complete health and vitality.-The Ranch adopted one horse specifically for the childrens session program. -Three horses in training were fully released into our session program.-Through all these transitions, the Ranch maintained a consistent number of 27-30 total horses on the Crystal Peaks campus.Herd Health-All horses were kept up-to-date on routine dental care, farrier work, and deworming medication. -The Ranch was chosen as a recipient for free vaccines from the Unwanted Horse Coalition Veterinary Relief Campaign. -All equine living spaces were maintained to above standard levels, resulting naturally in a minimal fly population. -Manure was regularly composted and recycled for use on our pastures and gardens.-The Ranch utilized our additional 44 acres of pasture to practice rotational grazing with our herd. This resulted in vibrant gastro-intestinal tracts and strong hoof health for the entire herd.-Horses with injuries or medical issues were seen and cared for promptly and professionally in collaboration with our local veterinary office.- Horses with individual dietary needs were fed separately, yet continued to be turned out with the herd in consideration of their natural desire for herd companionship.-Several horse paddocks were built/expanded to allow more room for the herd.Trainings-The Ranch provided routine and weekly horse safety classes for staff and interns.-Crystal Peaks partnered with a local, independent horse trainer who offered 3 clinics.-Crystal Peaks offered horse training classes at a clinic with approximately a total of 200 participants from around the world.Kid and Group Sessions-254 children received one-on-one horse sessions in 2023.-Crystal Peaks partnered with Camp Eagle Cap, an organization that takes at-risk youth on a pack trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Crystal Peaks hosted two training days for 20 youth to learn the basics of horse safety and riding to prepare them for their wilderness adventure.-Several teenage girls were given the opportunity to advance into a Junior Leader status . . . allowing them to train horses and lead sessions with smaller children under the oversight of the Equine Manager.Horse Sponsor Program-In 2023, 66 people/families sponsored 22 different Ranch horses, raising $50,272.50.-Horse Sponsors received quarterly updates on their sponsored horses. Sponsors were also notified of special occasions, such as their horse graduating to the session program or if their horse was adopted into a forever home.-The total that came in for Rescue the Equine, including designated funds, was $80,486.10, $1526.00 for In-Kind Donation and 4 Saddles. -Crystal Peaks performed routine safety checks and cleaning on all saddles and bridles used in our riding program with the utmost detail.-The Ranch updated and replaced expired riding helmets to meet current ASTM/SEI-certifications.-Crystal Peaks kept stocked vet bags with emergency medical equipment stationed at specified areas of the Ranch and in each of the Ranchs horse trailers.Community Outreach-Crystal Peaks networked with the Sheriffs Department to foster relationships and support for local horses in need. Crystal Peaks provided several hay donations to the Sheriffs Department Rescue Ranch and local elderly people in need.-The Ranch hosted a Tack Blessing. In this event, the Ranch gave away extra tack to the community. In Gods miraculous economy, many people donated generously, amounting to $5,259.00 to assist with horse care and vetting needs.-Crystal Peaks supported several other similar organizations by opening the tack shop during our events and giving away assorted equine equipment to Similar Ministries from all across the United States.The Ranch participated in the Redmond 4th of July Parade. The entry included a large float with Ranch kids, seven horses with children riders and adult side-walkers.