| Meet the folks behind Morning Star Youth Ranch |
| Morning Star Youth Ranch came into being and continues to be sustained by a myriad of volunteers, donors and supporters! Divine intervention has brought people from all walks of life to network their talents, expertise and willing hearts to support the vision of Morning Star. In a nutshell, Morning Star Youth Ranch is evidence of everyday miracles that never cease to amaze those who are blessed to be involved! Please download our brochure for a summary of our program. |
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The idea for a program such as this began as a dream of our director, Diane Odell, who has worked with horses since her youth. She found hope through relating and caring for a horse, and a pathway back to connecting with people. Later, operating a boarding and training stable, she was able to see the tremendous healing power of a child - horse relationship.
A similar vision was brought into focus for Carl Linn when he rescued two horses just a couple of years ago on his 350 acre ranch Providentially, Diane and Carl met and through amazing circumstances, Morning Star Youth Ranch was started. |
Our program director, Diane with her rescued horse, Selah |
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Carl Linn with his rescued horse, Libby |
In 2005 Carl Linn took in Libby – a seriously neglected horse in need of a safe and nurturing home. Originally he planned on finding her another home, but it soon became apparent that Libby was happy at the Linn ranch and was enjoying hanging out with the cows. Carl was concerned about caring for Libby properly and through his son Matt, he got in contact with Jani Meyers who immediately put him in touch with Diane.
For the last 20 years, even though Carl didn’t make his living on the ranch as his father and grandfather did, he knew in his heart there was a Divine plan for the land. He wanted the ranch to have purpose, with as he puts it, “eternal consequences.” When Diane and Jani began to share with Carl the vision and dream of using rescued horses to minister to the youth of San Luis County, Carl was hooked and excited. He knew this was what the ranch was meant for and he and his wife Arcy wanted to be a part of it.
Carl has a huge heart for kids and horses. Matt and his wife Amy are just as excited and they all can’t wait for the sounds of children and horses to fill the ranch. |
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Bill Hawk knows first hand that God can use small decisions to bring about big plans. For example, who would have ever thought that 30 years ago deciding to buy eggs from a neighbor for breakfast would have ended up with being on the board of directors for Morning Star! The neighbor selling eggs was Diane Odell, with whom Bill and his whole family developed a close friendship.
Diane and her family became members of the church where Bill was pastor. Through years of conversation with Bill and others, Diane shared a vision for the kind of ministry we have at Morning Star. Bill is happy to be part of making this vision happen.
Bill is the founding pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Paso Robles. He and his wife Joyce have four children and two grandchildren. |
Bill is pictured working with a chainsaw at Morning Star Youth Ranch. |
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Photo of Carole with her Arab mare, Seca |
Carole Hansen is our secretary and all around right arm. Carole was given the book Hope Rising for her birthday several years ago and was deeply touched by the stories of what was happening at a small ranch in central Oregon. Later, a group of friends who shared the vision of Morning Star, visited the place in Hope Rising called Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch for an information clinic. Inspired by Diane's vision and encouraged by God's timing, Morning Star Youth Ranch was becoming a reality.
Carole grew up with horses in her life and knows the special bond between horses and children. Carole has an Arabian mare named Seca and her husband Roger has a miniature horse named Snickers.
Carole says, "It has been so awesome to watch how God has been putting all the pieces of the puzzle together in every area of this venture. It's exciting to be hanging on for the ride!" |
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Jani Meyers has loved horses since she was a little girl, inspired by her grandmother who was a rancher and cattlewoman. She has been married to Pres Meyers since 1976 and together they have raised 3 children and now have 1 granddaughter. Jani enjoys the outdoors; camping, four-wheeling adventures with Pres, gardening, Saint Bernard dogs and smoking a good cigar now and then.
In 1998 a disabling arm injury made her give up her regular “day job” and through a vocational rehabilitation program learned the trade of web design and how to use a computer. Jani says, "This was a difficult transition for an outdoorsy girl but God uses this disability to make me focus on His grace and sufficiency." With her new found computer skills she was briefly hired as a Community Organizer and learned about the world of nonprofit work. She has been “hooked” doing volunteer work ever since as well as maintaining her own business of creating websites.
Jani loves Jesus and watching Him work through networking people from all walks of life. She was instrumental in connecting the people with a heart and common vision for ministering to kids using horses, which has become Morning Star Youth Ranch. |
Jani pictured with her deceased horses, Buckshot and Blue |
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Photo of Sandi with ranch horse Anya
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Sandi Rose believes strongly in what Morning Star is about. She started doing volunteer work 35 years ago while employed by the Superior Court in Ventura. Sandi worked with abused and neglected children through the Social Services Agency and although it was difficult and sad many times it was also rewarding when a child smiled, laughed or was “just a child” for the time she spent with them.
"I see this vision with Morning Star Youth Ranch – a group of dedicated people with a core belief in all the wonderful things that can be accomplished by and with God for children and horses".
Sandi manages our Used Tack Stores and is the newest member of our board of directors. Her husband Louis, is a building contractor who enthusiastically supports and lends his expertise to the ranch.
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Kathy Whitacre was not a horse person, but came to appreciate them through her long time friendship with Diane. She became involved with Morning Star "by accident" through a series of surprising events that put her in a van with five other gals going to an information clinic at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. On the way there Kathy read Hope Rising, by Kim Meeder. She thought it was a "good story" until she saw the book come to life at Crystal Peaks.
Kathy said that within the first 24 hours of being at Crystal Peaks her heart was convinced that she had to become part of starting a similar ministry. "In meeting the horses and people who were in the stories I had just read, I realized this was the real deal. I watched how Troy and Kim treated their staff and volunteers, seeing their hearts in action."
Since then Kathy has become an "official horse person" through the mentorship program and she "finds myself changing as I have to face who I really am inside" through interaction with our equine counselors.
"I never tire of seeing a child's face light up when they have spent time with a horse. I will never cease to be awed when one of our horses turns and graciously interacts with a child." |
Kathy curls up in the hay truck's tire |
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| Please check back for more about the folks behind Morning Star as we update our website. Thanks for your interest! |
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