Hope Lives Youth Ranch
Hope Lives Youth Ranch, 976 E 2250 North Rd, Monticello, IL 61856
About
Hope Lives Youth Ranch offers equine-assisted mentoring and mentoring sessions that involve working with horses and donkeys. The program also hosts Donkey Calm events, a Fairytale Pony Ride event, and a volunteer work day, and it shares updates through a monthly newsletter.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Open Monday–Friday 9am–5pm and Saturday 10am–3pm
Hope Lives Youth Ranch states that its mission is to use equine-assisted mentoring to help youth recover from trauma, build resilience, and find purpose in a Christ-centered environment of love and encouragement. One unique aspect of the program is the use of 21 acres of farmland to grow hay for the program horses, and a Hay Team volunteer group supports this work. The first student enrolled in the mentoring program was a 14-year-old with autism and sensory issues, and the ranch became a quiet place where being around the horses helps calm him. The ranch also offers Donkey Calm events, a Fairytale Pony Ride event, and a monthly newsletter with seasonal editions for winter, spring, summer, and fall.
The founders are Emily Reichman, who serves as Founder, Director, and Board Member, and Cindy Darnell, who is a Founder. The board of directors includes Victor Buraglio (founding board member and board treasurer), Tiffani Henry, Pam Putman, Julianne Schultz, and Elizabeth Mackey. Cindy’s vision for the program began in 2004, she teamed up with Emily in fall 2015, and the program began in 2018. Hope Lives Youth Ranch is a registered 501(c)3 located in Central Illinois, and its copyright is listed as 2022.
Staff experience includes Emily Reichman, who has been working with horses since 1997, teaching beginner riding lessons since 2007, and studying equine behavior and anxiety extensively since 2011 through various horsemen including Warwick Schiller, Sheila McElwee, Ray Hunt, and Buck Brannaman. Cindy Darnell has a master’s degree in Education, is an Illinois certified art teacher, and completed training at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon on starting and running an equine-therapy-based program. Victor Buraglio developed a chain of 19 supermarkets in Central Illinois and Western Indiana and brings business and financial experience. Tiffani Henry graduated from the Kentucky Equine Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, an educational program run by The Kentucky Horse Park, and has entrepreneurial experience. Pam Putman worked as a speech therapist in public schools, directed a child-sponsorship program in Haiti, and has administrative experience running a non-profit. Julianne Schultz has experience in sales strategy, marketing, and research in the hospitality industry and has experience with fundraisers.
Community involvement connected to the leadership includes store profits from Victor Buraglio’s supermarkets being used to donate to organizations such as Little League teams, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Pam Putman directed a child-sponsorship program in Haiti and made multiple trips to schools there. Julianne Schultz has been a small group leader through her church, hosted many high school ministries in her home, and mentored for two years with the CU One-To-One Mentoring Program run by Champaign Public Schools.
Testimonials about Hope Lives Youth Ranch include comments such as “Great rescue ranch, went there for a volunteer work day and had a great time!! I can't wait to help again!” from Rachel M., “Wonderful!! Really really cares about the kids!!” from Christina T., and “A truly special and wonderful place.” from Megan D. A parent at the Fairytale Pony Ride event said, “I have never seen my daughter smile like this before! How do I sign her up?”
Last updated May 23, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Open Monday–Friday 9am–5pm and Saturday 10am–3pm
Hope Lives Youth Ranch states that its mission is to use equine-assisted mentoring to help youth recover from trauma, build resilience, and find purpose in a Christ-centered environment of love and encouragement. One unique aspect of the program is the use of 21 acres of farmland to grow hay for the program horses, and a Hay Team volunteer group supports this work. The first student enrolled in the mentoring program was a 14-year-old with autism and sensory issues, and the ranch became a quiet place where being around the horses helps calm him. The ranch also offers Donkey Calm events, a Fairytale Pony Ride event, and a monthly newsletter with seasonal editions for winter, spring, summer, and fall.
The founders are Emily Reichman, who serves as Founder, Director, and Board Member, and Cindy Darnell, who is a Founder. The board of directors includes Victor Buraglio (founding board member and board treasurer), Tiffani Henry, Pam Putman, Julianne Schultz, and Elizabeth Mackey. Cindy’s vision for the program began in 2004, she teamed up with Emily in fall 2015, and the program began in 2018. Hope Lives Youth Ranch is a registered 501(c)3 located in Central Illinois, and its copyright is listed as 2022.
Staff experience includes Emily Reichman, who has been working with horses since 1997, teaching beginner riding lessons since 2007, and studying equine behavior and anxiety extensively since 2011 through various horsemen including Warwick Schiller, Sheila McElwee, Ray Hunt, and Buck Brannaman. Cindy Darnell has a master’s degree in Education, is an Illinois certified art teacher, and completed training at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon on starting and running an equine-therapy-based program. Victor Buraglio developed a chain of 19 supermarkets in Central Illinois and Western Indiana and brings business and financial experience. Tiffani Henry graduated from the Kentucky Equine Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, an educational program run by The Kentucky Horse Park, and has entrepreneurial experience. Pam Putman worked as a speech therapist in public schools, directed a child-sponsorship program in Haiti, and has administrative experience running a non-profit. Julianne Schultz has experience in sales strategy, marketing, and research in the hospitality industry and has experience with fundraisers.
Community involvement connected to the leadership includes store profits from Victor Buraglio’s supermarkets being used to donate to organizations such as Little League teams, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Pam Putman directed a child-sponsorship program in Haiti and made multiple trips to schools there. Julianne Schultz has been a small group leader through her church, hosted many high school ministries in her home, and mentored for two years with the CU One-To-One Mentoring Program run by Champaign Public Schools.
Testimonials about Hope Lives Youth Ranch include comments such as “Great rescue ranch, went there for a volunteer work day and had a great time!! I can't wait to help again!” from Rachel M., “Wonderful!! Really really cares about the kids!!” from Christina T., and “A truly special and wonderful place.” from Megan D. A parent at the Fairytale Pony Ride event said, “I have never seen my daughter smile like this before! How do I sign her up?”
Last updated May 23, 2026.
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