Ranch Hands Rescue/Bob’s House of Hope 

Ranch Hands Rescue is a human and animal sanctuary founded on hope and healing for the long- term recovery of trauma victims, special needs animals, and male survivors of sex trafficking. Bob’s House of Hope provides a home built on safety and community to meet the unique needs of male survivors of sex trafficking.

When Bob Williams started Ranch Hands Rescue in 2008, his vision was to help special needs farm animals by providing them a sanctuary where they could heal and live a life of dignity and purpose. At that time, there was not a rescue for farm animals with chronic health issues, and Bob wanted to fill a gap. As he began working with these animals, he noticed they were having a healing effect on him both mentally and physically. So, with support from an open-minded trauma therapist named Kim, he formed the counseling component of RHR which became known as Equine and Animal Assisted Counseling. 

 

This unique modality is built on an eclectic model that integrates several trauma-informed approaches all tailored to meet the needs of those trauma survivors who have not found success in other treatment programs. Once again, Bob sought to fill a gap in the community by establishing a program that works for the 1-10% of the population who need a different or more alternative approach to mental health therapy.

 

After a decade of successfully implementing this vision, Bob was asked to join a coalition to address the issue of sex trafficking in DFW. It was then that Bob came to learn about the complete lack of resources for male victims of sex trafficking. Along with his team, Bob discovered that despite boys making up nearly 50% of sex trafficked minors, there was not one facility in the entire United States dedicated to the recovery of male survivors 18 and up. Bob resolved to fill that gap.

 

On June 1st, 2021, Bob’s House of Hope opened its doors to these unseen survivors of sexual slavery. Finally, there is a place for these young men to go to escape the horrors of commercial sexual exploitation, and more importantly, a place for them to rebuild their lives and start fresh with the skills they need to live a life of dignity and purpose free from the ravages of trauma.

First Refuge Ministries

First Refuge Ministries exists to restore people by serving the Church. First Refuge Ministries believes that every person has worth and value because they are created by God. They aim to honor God and bring Him glory by reaching out to their under-served neighbors with an open door, healing hands and a generous heart prepared to serve, love and encourage others no matter who they are. Their goal is to minister to the entire person, including physical, emotional and spiritual needs, by offering essential services to those in their community.

 

This is accomplished through a free client-choice food pantry (two permeant locations, three pop-up locations, three school site “grocery stores”, and one low income senior living complex), counseling (client choice of Biblical or non, individual, youth, marriage, or family), medical (medical clinic (two permeant locations and two pop-up locations), Rx prescription relief program, immunizations, well-woman exams, chiropractic), and dental services (cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, root canals, and extractions both non-surgical and surgical). First Refuge Dental is the only Dental Clinic in Denton County offering no cost dental care for adults and offering quality dental care to those in the community who are unable to afford dental services. First Refuge provides services to uninsured and under-insured individuals and families who live in Denton County and whose income is 200% below the poverty level.

 

First Refuge Ministries continues to grow to meet the increasing demand of their community. They never shut down during COVID—and continued to support the local community. As of summer, 2022 First Refuge has over a dozen locations in Denton county and one in Cooke County.