Insights from the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch Founder

The Early Beginnings

In 1982, the Blend Family arrived from the northeast and came upon the Salacoa Valley. They met Newt and Lillian Collins Kline who were both in their early 80’s.  A friendship was struck, and soon after, John and Connie Blend bought the Collins Homestead. Thus was born the Goshen Valley Ranch.

The Start

Ten years after purchasing the land, a partnership in faith was struck between John and Connie and their Atlanta church, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. With the vision, prayer and support of Pastor Robert Sims, the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch journey began in earnest. The need for a faith-based home that would reach kids who had nothing, presented itself with compelling clarity. All manner of design, regulations, fundraising, education, collaboration, and, assuredly, prayer came into play as we came to know better the need of the orphaned.  Over the next ten years, much was accomplished and much was yet to come.

In 2002, Goshen Valley opened with the arrival of our first young man. In the years leading to this, we had established our charitable corporation. We had become licensed to operate as a Child Caring Institution in the State of Georgia, and had built houses, roads, and lakes while writing programs and policies.  We recruited first-rate families from around the United States to join us. We built a clinical team. Our Father led friends to nurture us with encouragement and support. He offered us our foundational scripture in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Today’s Miracle, A Platform on Which to Grow

Webster defines miracle as “an extraordinary occurrence that surpasses natural forces and is ascribed to a divine force.” Surely this must be Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. Having now been home and sanctuary to over 150 boys these past ten years, we have come to rely on the natural and the super natural. We focus on a child with the most needs and the least resources. Despair, broken promises, neglect and abuse are the norm.

At our core, we are a kind and loving place a child can count on. In this environment, a child is nurtured and will likely prosper. He may go home to a family that has healed the wound that brought him to us. He may find an adoptive couple to fill the space that his family cannot. He may call Goshen Valley home forever, and for this circumstance we are blessed and thankful.

Today we serve some 35 boys who live with us in 6 houses on our 300-acre main campus, and our nearby Hope House. We have come to rely mightily on our community partners to broaden and deepen our reach and outcomes. With the care and kindness of our Georgia Department of Family and Children Services partners, our Cherokee County School District partners, our Service Club partners and our legion of Faith Based partners, we have been lifted up.

Tomorrow’s Opportunity, A Gathering Evidence

The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch is poised to lead. Our values are evident. Our therapeutic model is sound and getting stronger.  With our outcomes, we continue to gather evidence that our methods work.  Our interest lies in availing our model to others, as we keep our heads down in service and learning. We seek to play a larger role with the communities and families we serve. We recognize our responsibility to the young women in the communities and families we serve. We seek to find the child lost in the system and lead them out. As we complete our Council on Accreditation membership in the coming year, we know more doors will open and more light will shine as these real and important possibilities draw us forward.                                                

Goshen Valley has been much blessed. We are ever thankful for you and Him…
John Blend, Founder

 Goshen Valley Boys Ranch Timeline

Awards

2006 - GAHSC – Executive Director of the Year Award
2007 - Canton Rotary Award
2009 - Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA ) Award
2010 - Department of Family and Children's Services Award
2010 - Casey Family Foundation Award

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Our Mission

 Goshen Valley is called to break the cycle of abuse and neglect facing our most vulnerable youth. Embracing the character based principles of faith, family, scholarship, and effort; Goshen Valley provides a safe and encouraging home for our youth, while seeking permanency through family reunification, adoption and transitional growth.

Our Vision

Building on a decade of proven outcomes, Goshen Valley looks to broaden its commitment to vulnerable youth and broken families in Northwest Georgia. Goshen Valley will stand by the older, alone child who faces a difficult and uncertain future. With investment in community programming, Goshen Valley seeks to better reach the family in crisis, providing relevant and proven relief and resource. With the evidence of our outcomes, Goshen Valley seeks to share our practice with state agencies and partners throughout Georgia.