‘God’s guidance’
Watersprings Ranch marks 30 years of helping abused, neglected children
For 30 years Watersprings Ranch has been a harbor in the storm, providing a home for abused and neglected children. The organization sprung from David and Carla Whatley’s desire to become foster parents. Though they had four boys of their own, they opened their home to a 9-year old boy with a difficult past in 1984.
“We were touched by his story. We wanted to help. Most of all we believed that with God all things are possible and with God’s guidance we could make a real difference in his life,” the Whatley’s wrote in a recent newsletter sent to supporters.
They taught the boy about God’s love and what it was like to be part of a family and they saw the positive difference it in made in his life. The boy eventually returned home to his mom, but the Whatley’s had discovered a method to help troubled children.
“This pattern of parenting began to form the blueprint in our minds for the program we would later implement at Watersprings Ranch,” the letter reads.
With the knowledge gained from their experience as foster parents, the Whatley’s began to plan the foundation for a group home to provide care for abused and neglected children.
Since its inception in 1989, Watersprings Ranch has grown from one family group home to seven family homes, a school and training center.
“It’s an absolutely wonderful place. Our homes look like your home or my home. It’s not an institutional setting,” said David Whatley, Watersprings founder.
Though the ranch has grown considerably, its original mission still applies.
“Our mission to be able to help abused and neglected children hasn’t changed over the past 30 years,” Whatley said. “One of the things I think is important for people to understand is this isn’t daycare or babysitting. Watersprings becomes their home. They’re typically going to be here for a minimum of two years. Some may be with us through college or vocational school. We even help them beyond that even after they’re gone.”
Since it opened, hundreds of children have come through the ranch.
“If I had to guess I’d say 700-plus,” he said. Right now there are approximately 35 children living there.
Watersprings provides for all a child’s needs including food, medical and dental expenses, housing and education.
“We provide anything you’d need in a normal biological home. Every penny of it is through private funding. Really this 30 year celebration is a … celebration for our community and beyond,” he said.
The homes on the ranch are staffed by married couples.
“We hire couples and the reason we do that is to make it as much like a normal, Christian family setting as possible. The husband and wife, mom and dad are in the home 24-7,” Whatley said.
Counseling is also provided. Watersprings has case managers for the children and an on-campus school for children who can’t adapt academically or socially to a public school setting. Once children catch up to their grade level they are sent to public school.
There are many ways people in the community can become involved with Watersprings Ranch including volunteering as a school tutor, working on projects at the ranch or in the homes.
“There are a number of things people could do if they’re interested. The greatest support would be continuing to pray for us … so we’d have wisdom to know how to deal with each individual child. It’s really amazing that our community has been as supportive as they have been. We started with a vision and a dream. We had one house. Now we’re 120 acres, seven homes, a school and administrative buildings. It’s really a tribute to the people in our community to see what they’ve done,” he said.
All the love and work poured into these children is worth it when you see how it shapes their lives.
“The gratification is being able to see kids who you knew had no chance in life become successful and productive citizens,” Whatley said.