Who's Still There?
Above Average
The staff at Project PATCH are not average. If they were average, they would burn out from working with at-risk teens after about 18 months - the average burnout time for those working with at-risk youth. Instead, staff at PATCH stay an average of six years. When former residents ask if a staff member is still there, the typical answer is, "Yes." The reason for this longevity is that they are well trained, work reasonable hours, receive generous time off, and rely on support from one another.
Over 100 Years of Combined Continuous Service
Dorm directors Mike and Marge Van Dyk began working at PATCH about the same time our current residents were born. Jim Smith, Stephanie Ross, and Colleen Donald, three of our four therapists, are currently in their tenth year at PATCH. Jason Van Dyk, Spencer Walters, and Gary Van Dyk were all young bachelors when they started working at PATCH. Now all three are married and all together have 35 years at PATCH. Denise Tank (13 years), Bob Ross (10 years), and Darlene Waybright (10 years) work behind the scenes to support the young people in the Project PATCH program.
Why They Stay
We asked our staff why they've stayed at Project PATCH so long and their answers were inspiring and encouraging. Long-term staff have several things in common: They share a providential calling to PATCH; they love variety; they enjoy working as a team; they love watching kids grow and mature; and they desire personal, authentic growth. Most of all, they have committed their lives to serving God and He hasn't yet called them anywhere else!
It is inspiring to see what God can accomplish through people who commit their lives to Him. Following are interviews with several long-time PATCH staff members.
Denise Tank
Administrative Assistant - Youth Ranch
Years at PATCH: 14
How did you come to be at Project PATCH?
I had been looking for a job for about three months in Salem, Ore. I found temporary work but nothing great was materializing. I had an application in with the Oregon Dept. of Corrections, but the estimated time to get a job at one of their facilities was one year. So I told God, "I am tired of searching. I really have no idea what you want me to do, so I am done. I am going to sit on this couch until you show me what you want me to do."
About two days later I was sitting on the couch and picked up a copy of the "Gleaner." There was an ad in the back for Project PATCH, not advertising jobs, just advertising the program. I thought is sounded interesting so decided to call and see if they had any job openings. Tom Sanford answered the phone. We talked for a long time. He knew I had a degree in corrections and that I have enjoyed backpacking for years.
Tom said, "I suppose you are an EMT too." I said, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am." He told me that he would be flying to the ranch in a few days and asked if I could go with him. I did - we were there overnight and the rest is history.
What made you decide to work at PATCH?
I knew it's what God wanted me to do.
How many years did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
I promised Tom one year for sure. I hoped that I would be able to stay for a really long time!
What has kept you at PATCH?
I love it here - everything. The staff, the kids, the beauty of this place...
What's the biggest lesson you've learned at PATCH?
God is in control. This is His ranch and He takes care of it! Also, there is always room for improvement and change is good.
Spencer Walters
Assistant Boys' Dorm Director
Years at PATCH: 11
How did you wind up at Project PATCH?
I've known Tom Sanford since I was about two years old. My sister got a job at PATCH after she graduated from college and I came to visit her. I put in an application and the rest is history.
Why did you decide to apply at PATCH?
I was looking to see where God was going to lead me and the doors opened to come here.
How many years did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
About two years.
What's one of your favorite memories from your time at PATCH?
Meeting my future wife! [Married Karrie Burt, Hired 2008]
What's the biggest thing you've learned at PATCH?
That I have a lot to learn, maybe more than some of these kids.
Bob Ross
Head Cook
Years at Project PATCH: 11
What's the story behind you being at Project PATCH?
Tom called me while I was working at Pizza Hut and asked if we were going to come work for him. I told him he would have an answer by the next day. Stephanie and I wrote out the pros and cons of moving that night and called Tom the next day to say we were coming to PATCH.
How many years did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
Two.
What has kept you at PATCH for over a decade now?
I do a lot of different jobs and each day can be different, it just depends on the kids and the choices they make. I love helping the kids.
Name a memory you look back on fondly over your years at PATCH.
Someone cared enough to donate money for the staff - not just once, but twice. God is truly watching over PATCH and the relationships that we form with the kids.
If you walked away tomorrow, what's one lesson you'd take with you?
What works in raising children. What I've learned will help us as we raise our own. And that kids can be helped if given the right tools for a promising future.
Marge VanDyk
Girls' Dorm Director
Years at Project PATCH: 16
What brought you to Project PATCH?
It all started when we brought a youth group to the youth ranch in June 1991 to begin building PATCH. Tom kept in touch afterwards with a phone call or by stopping by the house whenever he was in our hometown of Medford, Ore. I always thought of working there as something my husband had always talked of doing, but not really a job for me.
In the spring of 1993 I had an opportunity to spend three weeks at the ranch. When I returned home I felt no different about coming to work. Tom continued to keep in touch, and in early 1995 he again called and asked when we would consider coming to work at the ranch. We then prayed earnestly about what God wanted us to do and He continued opening doors until we arrived on site later that year.
How many years did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
We always knew we'd work with PATCH until God told us to move on. He hasn't yet, so we're still here! God has given me a love for teens and a desire to be part of their healing. I will use it here until God calls me elsewhere.
What's a favorite memory of yours from PATCH?
Three days after my arrival at the ranch I was taken up to the Sawtooth Mountains. I continue to find nothing to compare to the beauty, the challenge of backpacking, and the look of accomplishment on the girls' faces after we complete a trip.
What's the biggest thing you've learned while at PATCH?
When I step back and ask God to use me, He does amazing things. When I jump ahead of Him, I can really mess things up.
Jim Smith
Former therapist at youth ranch
Current Program Director/Therapist at Family Center
Years at PATCH: 11
What brought you to Project PATCH?
Tom called at a time my wife and I were in transition and convinced us to consider PATCH. We agreed hesitantly. While we were visiting I was impressed with what I saw and we decided to give it a shot.
How many years did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
One.
What has kept you at PATCH?
PATCH's commitment to excellence in helping children and the commitment of the team of people I work with.
Tell us one of your favorite memories from your time at PATCH.
Watching Jessie graduate. She came to PATCH a broken, angry, hopeless little girl and left a young woman full of life and hope with a bright future.
What's one of the biggest lessons you've learned while at PATCH?
God uses anyone willing to be used in the most awesome ways.
Dori Ahlers
Girls' Dorm Night Shift; also worked as Head Cook
Years at Project PATCH: 8
What brought you to Project PATCH?
I was living in Spokane as a house mother for a domestic violence shelter and my shift changed from 24 hours to twelve. I was living onsite so was given the night shift for room and board, but I was unable to find another job in Spokane. My counselor told me about Project PATCH, I called and talked to Tom, and the rest, as they say, is history
What made you decide to work at PATCH?
I fell in love with PATCH when I came for my interview. I hadn't heard anything about Project PATCH before I came, but when I arrived, the program seemed awesome; the staff were so obviously Christian and had such a love for the kids. The setting God had chosen for the ranch was incredible. My interview was in March and the snow was falling. The eagles were across the river sitting in the snow-topped trees. So I just fell in Love with PATCH, the kids, and the staff.
What has kept you at PATCH?
The opportunity for growth and learning how to be a better parent to kids, learning that its not about me! Learning how to show God's love better to those around me.
What's one of your favorite memories from your time at PATCH?
Watching a teen go from "I hate you!" and running away to knowing and loving God, giving their life to Him and getting baptized in our river just before going home. The light on the parents' faces when they said, "Wow what a KID! I never thought I'd see this day!" is something I will never forget.
What's something big you've learned during your time here?
It's not about me, it's about God and His special love for these children.
Colleen Donald
Treatment Coordinator
Years at PATCH: 12
How did you end up working for Project PATCH?
I wanted to work with teenagers in a Christian environment and I had been offered interviews at both Project PATCH and at a place in Tennessee. I asked my fiance at the time where he wanted to live, Idaho or Tennessee. As a truck driver he knew both areas well and chose Idaho. I know, after being at PATCH for some time now, that God had all the details worked out and the toss of the coin was not what but Who really brought us here.
How many years did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
Two.
What has kept you at PATCH?
My co-workers are like family. The kids are great to work with and their changes inspire me. And it's just a beautiful location.
What's something you'll never forget about your experience at PATCH?
The opportunities I have had in introducing several kids to horses over the years has been fun. While PATCH doesn't have a formal horse program, the times when I have brought my own horses to the ranch for kids to experience has been positive in that many had never had the chance before to be around or ride a horse before. With many others who had known horses, the experience brought back a special memory for them when times were easier.
What's the biggest thing you've learned while at PATCH?
I think I have gotten better at choosing my battles. We teach the "five year" rule (will this matter in five years?) to the teens, but I believe I was in need of learning that rule also.
Stephanie Ross
Therapist
Years at PATCH: 11
What's the story behind you coming to work for PATCH?
I had recently graduated with my MSW and was working as a juvenile probation officer. I was looking for something more meaningful to me and randomly one day my family ran into Tom Sanford, whom I had known when I was a young child. Tom mentioned PATCH was in need of counselors and asked that I call him.
What made you decide to say yes to working at PATCH?
I wanted to help teens make better choices in life, before they got into the juvenile system. I did not see much happening in the juvenile system to help teens build their strengths so that they would hopefully learn to make better choices, and I wanted to be a part of something like that. PATCH gave me that chance.
How many years did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
Two.
What has kept you here for so much longer than that?
The family atmosphere and close-knit environment. It's fun to work with my friends.
Tell us about one of your favorite PATCH memories.
The graduations are one of my favorites. It is an honor to be part of the changes that happen within a teenager. The slide shows make me teary nearly every time when I see the physical transformations take place; angry, desperate, and sad to happy, fun-loving, and thoughtful.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned at PATCH?
Everyone is capable of making change, no matter how big or small.
Sharon Fry
Teacher
Years at PATCH: 10
How did you find your way to PATCH?
At first I was simply filling in for a couple of months for a pregnant teacher and then an ill teacher. My stay kept getting longer and longer...
Why did you decide to stay at PATCH?
I told the Lord I would take the first solid job offer I got. My niece pointed out that it was only fair to let PATCH know that also. I did. I love the work I do here. I have promised the Lord that I will teach as long as I enjoy it and people (namely Colleen and Jim) don't think I am getting senile!
How long did you think you would work at PATCH when you first started?
About six months.
What's a favorite memory from your time at PATCH so far?
I tend to live in the day. I love it when we get a good breakthrough with a kid, and he or she begins to realize how smart he or she is.
What's thebiggest thing you've learned while at PATCH?
How eager the Lord is to give us little gifts and surprises that Denise calls hugs. I get so many and they keep me contented and happy.