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 take place at a rescue ranch and barn with program horses. The program also hosts Donkey Calm events, a Fairytale Pony Ride event, and a Hay Team volunteer group. Families can stay connected through a monthly newsletter that features Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall editions.
• Schedule: Business hours Monday–Friday 9am–5pm; 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. The program operates as a registered 501(c)3 in Central Illinois.
The leadership team includes Founder/Director and Board Member Emily Reichman; Founder Cindy Darnell; and Board Members Victor Buraglio, Tiffani Henry, Pam Putman, Julianne Schultz, and Elizabeth Mackey. Emily Reichman 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 brings 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 work experience in sales strategy, marketing, and research in the hospitality industry and with fundraisers, and Elizabeth Mackey is a board member whose son was referred to the program by his teacher after a school presentation in the Monticello School District.
Cindy’s vision for the program began in 2004, she teamed up with Emily in fall 2015, and the program began in 2018. Cindy and her husband own 21 acres of farmland that is currently used to grow hay for the program horses and may be developed as the program expands. Cindy also owns Catalyst Creative, a pottery studio in Monticello that offers clay classes for children and adults. During his supermarket career, Victor used store profits to donate to organizations such as Little League teams, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
Parent and visitor comments about Hope Lives Youth Ranch include: “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.; “A truly special and wonderful place.” from Megan D.; and “I have never seen my daughter smile like this before! How do I sign her up?” from a parent at the Fairytale Pony Ride event.
Last updated January 9, 2026.
• Schedule: Business hours Monday–Friday 9am–5pm; 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. The program operates as a registered 501(c)3 in Central Illinois.
The leadership team includes Founder/Director and Board Member Emily Reichman; Founder Cindy Darnell; and Board Members Victor Buraglio, Tiffani Henry, Pam Putman, Julianne Schultz, and Elizabeth Mackey. Emily Reichman 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 brings 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 work experience in sales strategy, marketing, and research in the hospitality industry and with fundraisers, and Elizabeth Mackey is a board member whose son was referred to the program by his teacher after a school presentation in the Monticello School District.
Cindy’s vision for the program began in 2004, she teamed up with Emily in fall 2015, and the program began in 2018. Cindy and her husband own 21 acres of farmland that is currently used to grow hay for the program horses and may be developed as the program expands. Cindy also owns Catalyst Creative, a pottery studio in Monticello that offers clay classes for children and adults. During his supermarket career, Victor used store profits to donate to organizations such as Little League teams, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
Parent and visitor comments about Hope Lives Youth Ranch include: “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.; “A truly special and wonderful place.” from Megan D.; and “I have never seen my daughter smile like this before! How do I sign her up?” from a parent at the Fairytale Pony Ride event.
Last updated January 9, 2026.
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