Our Team
The Way Ranch is under the stewardship of Jaco Booyens Ministries (JBM)
JBM Senior Leadership
Jaco Booyens
Tami Barrier
Dan Funk
The Way Ranch Senior Leadership
Sophia Pengra
Kelley Inman
Mark Burger
Why We Exist
The Way Ranch is a mission-driven initiative born out of 31 years of global, frontline experience in combating human trafficking. Rooted in the biblical conviction that every child is created in the image of God—and therefore deserving of dignity, safety, and hope—The Way Ranch addresses one of the most critical gaps in care: meeting the needs of the most vulnerable.
This includes not only survivors of human trafficking but also children who are at risk or have experienced trauma such as abuse, neglect, sexual exposure, and/or sexual exploitation.
Statistics show that nearly 90% of children in foster care have experienced some form of trauma, including abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. Up to 80% meet the criteria for a significant mental health issue. Trauma recognition and mental health treatment are vital for this population. Yet historically, most states have failed to adequately address the psychological and behavioral health needs of these children. Their level of trauma has often gone unrecognized, and appropriate services have not been offered, leaving their wounds unhealed.
Additionally, children within the foster care system are rarely identified as trafficking victims due to a reliance on self-reporting. Without proper identification, victims’ unique trauma-related needs remain unmet, and exploitation often continues.
Trafficking victims outside of the foster care system who have been identified and rescued have immediate care needs that may include treatment for physical injuries, malnutrition, substance dependency, and emotional trauma. These needs must be met in a stable, secure environment. However, applying for residential survivor recovery programs can be a lengthy and frustrating process, often involving multiple rejections before a safe place is found. The pain of these rejections can reinforce feelings of unworthiness, extinguish hope, and even drive survivors back into exploitative situations.
The solution is The Way Ranch.
We welcome the most vulnerable.
We identify their unique needs.
We provide a safe, nurturing, family-like environment where trust is carefully built, the love of God is felt, and each child receives the trauma-informed care they need.
At The Way Ranch, children can finally feel safe, be valued, begin healing, and find hope.
Who We Serve
We serve children and youth who are at risk, are pregnant or parenting, or are survivors of human trafficking.
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking happens when someone uses force, fraud, or coercion to make another person perform some type of labor or commercial sex act. Under U.S. law, causing someone under the age of 18 to engage in a commercial sex act is considered human trafficking even if it doesn’t involve force, fraud, or coercion.
What is at risk?
Children and youth are at risk if they have experienced one or more of the following:
Abuse
Neglect
Early childhood sexual exposure
Sexual exploitation
Pregnancy or parenting
Children in need of our services may be placed through the state welfare system, law enforcement, parents/guardians, or self-admission.
The Way Ranch will never turn away a human trafficking survivor or an at-risk child or youth whose needs we can meet.
How We Serve
Emergency placement and long-term residential programs for children and youth
Program Services
Christ-Centered Care & Support
Medical & Health Coordination
Treatment & Therapy
Individualized Education
Assessments
Case Management
Life Skills for Independent Living
Biblically-Based Trauma Curriculum
Choice-Based Therapeutic Activities
Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting, Ceramics
Performing Arts: Dance, Music, Singing
Physical Activities: Sports, Group Exercise, Camp Games
Nature-Based Activities: Gardening, Animal interactions, Opportunities for solitude in nature
Program Goals
Graduates from The Way Ranch will demonstrate specific measurable accomplishments in the areas of:
Emotional Regulation & Coping
Social Skills & Relationship Building
Triggers & Trauma Responses
Self-Esteem & Identity
Education & Academics
Medical & Medication Management
Nutrition & Physical Health
Future Planning
After graduation, our residents may be reunified with family, connected with a loving foster or adoptive family, or begin living independently.
What Sets Us Apart
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all who have been abused, neglected, are pregnant or parenting, or are survivors of human trafficking, including mother/child and sister sibling groups
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emergency placement, long-term trauma recovery programs, preparation for independent living, and after-care case management
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private & group counseling, art, dance & movement, sports & recreation, animal & nature experiences, prayer & worship, and a biblically-informed trauma recovery program
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individualized on-site education & tutoring, facilitation of enrollment in post-secondary education, skills-based & industry-recognized certification programs
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lifetime access to resources, mentorship, and guidance long after leaving our care through relationships built within days of program entry and established nationwide partnerships
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direct care staff provided paid time before & after shifts for mental regulation & decompression, all staff offered flextime, paid time off, access to insurance & mental health support