Image of Hope Ranch

HISTORY

Image of Hope Ranch (IHR) is a Christ centered ministry that provides children, teens, adults and families who may be struggling emotionally a place to move toward healing. It is a place where they may feel Christ's love and find their way back to hope. IHR also offers individuals who have physical or mental disabilities opportunities to discover nature and animals.


IHR is a 501(c)(3) and was founded by Randy and Alisha Shank along with their daughter Alex in 2016. Originally from a small town in Ohio, in 2005 they moved to Gulfport, MS to help with the Hurricane Kartrina recovery. While there, the family went through a time of emotional struggle of their own. During that time, they had a family surround them with support and Christ's love, which helped them move toward healing. In 2011, Randy and Alisha moved their family to Indiana and dreamed of giving back by supporting individuals who were struggling emotionally. After praying about it, God revealed His plan to them and their dream of helping others was born. 


Those who come to Image of Hope Ranch and participate in our programs are:

  • Individuals with a traumatic life experience and may be seeking emotional or spiritual healing. 
  • Individuals with mental health concerns like anxiety disorder, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or PTSD. 
  • Individuals with autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, mental disability, intellectual disability, developmental disability, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, dyslexia, ADHD and more.
  • Families who desire to build a closer and stronger family tie in a peaceful, wholesome, and Christian environment with fun, enriching, and educational activities.
  • Community members who want to serve others and provide opportunities to display the love of God.
  • In the form of a Volunteer, program participants who have benefited from their time at the Ranch and want to in turn help give someone else what they themselves received.














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​"Volunteering is a great way for us to spend time together, and we learn new things each week.  Not only do we spend time together as a family, we feel really good about what we are doing.  It feels really good to pour love into the horses so they can pour love into those they give lessons to. It feels really good to be part of a ministry that gives back to others in such a unique way."

                                          The Hunt Family