The children at Shepherd’s Gate are provided trauma-informed care from ages newborn up to 18 years old. (up to 18 years old for girls and 12 years old for boys). Our children receive individualized case management services, referrals, and education. Our facility is equipped with a children’s play therapy room, computer stations, and age approiate outdoor & indoor play areas (different setup at each campus).

When children arrive at Shepherd’s Gate, our primary focus is to help them feel safe and address their basic needs. Many of our children have not had a bed to sleep in, clean clothes, showers, three meals a day, or medical, eye and dental appointments. With the help of donors and volunteers, we are able to meet these needs on a daily basis. 

The onsite nursery provides a safe and structured environment for our little ones as they learn letters, numbers, Bible stories, identifying their feelings, and how to trust again. When a child feels safe and loved, they can thrive.

Our school-aged kids participate in the Afterschool Program where they receive tutoring, group processing, online education advancement, field trips, and Bible Studies. We also work with professional resources for pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy and play therapy to help children process their personal trauma experiences so they too can find healing. They learn basic life skills and computer education to equip them for a successful future. School-aged children attend the local schools in the area (kindergarten to high school). During COVID, our children have distance learning class time on-campus in the Afterschool Program. 

We also partner with the Hazelden Betty Ford Center to provide family support for those affected by addiction. Their specialized children’s counselors provide education and ways to develop coping skills for our children. Recovery is stronger when all family members understand the nature of addiction and are involved in the healing process.