Michelle Alden, Director

Isaiah's Ranch is a calling for me and others to show up and be available to God, to kids, and to the community. It came as an answer to questions I had about raising my own kids in a county and culture where drugs and other problems are so evident. It a came from working with the teens themselves and hearing their cry for help. And it came from My dad who planted the vision for the Ranch in my heart through his on-going desire and example in helping kids.

The core of Isaiah's Ranch is to be a place where kids can experience positive interactions with adults, be safe and find freedom in pro-active life choices.
The name Isaiah holds in its meaning everything the Ranch offers. Isaiah is a biblical name that means: to be free and safe; to deliever; to free; to help persevere, rescue and get victory.
Isaiah's Ranch is a place where kids will find victory, help and life-changing options.

My interest in working with kids dates back to the 6th grade. I was touched by Nicky Cruz's book, Run Baby Run. The autobiography of a teen in the inner city, sparked a life-time interest in Teen Challenge and work with at-risk youth.

Coming from California to Idaho to attend Northwest Nazerene University, I graduated in 1988 with a BA in Christian Education.

During college, I worked with youth as a youth pastor for high school kids. Most of the teens I worked with came from dysfunctional homes, blended families, or abusive situations. I took kids hiking and camping, led Bible studies and discipleship programs. We did community outreaches and service work, wilderness adventures and ropes courses. The time spent with those kids was so rewarding! I worked with that youth group for almost five years, and then started my own family. I just recently remarried. My five children, my husband,Tim and I live in rural mountain town of Idaho City.

Michelle and Her Kids

My work with youth and my desire to teach, has not diminished since my youth pastor days. I have been involved in the community and with kids for the ten plus years we have lived here. I have been a 4-H leader, and director, youth director at the local church, as well as currently teaching adults, teens and children karate for Community TaeKwonDo. I am also very involved in Royal Family Kids Camps, a camping ministry for abused children.

I am a professional Intensive Behavior Interventionalist, which equips me to work with children that have developmental problems, as well as behavior issues. I am also a MANDT trainer, which is a program that teaches people to work with others in de-escalating problems and enhance relationships, communication and mediation.I am currently working towards a master's degree in counseling.

My board of directors, and myself are dedicated to providing options to kids that don't have many opportunities. We are continually furthering our education and skills to enhance our work with youth. Isaiah's Ranch is our vision for kids and how we as adults can help them to have hope and walk out the vision and calling for their lives.