Jackie Kaschel

Executive Director and Co-founder of Peace Ranch

Who and/or what is your inspiration/motivator.

My inspiration is the profound ministry of rescue, rehabilitation, and restoration that occurred first in my own life. I was orphaned at birth, and adopted. The only child of parents who divorced when I was ten. I experienced neglect and abuse in and out of my home. I started using alcohol and drugs at age 12 through 22 — my addiction lasted several years, the last 5 on heroin. After many failed attempts at recovery, including drug and psychiatric inpatient programs, I was rescued through a life changing experience with God. I found peace and recovery in a natural, farm based program. After graduation I got married and earned a master’s degree in counseling. In 1995 we adopted 3 children through with significant trauma. They struggled greatly and though we sought help, there were no therapy options available that really helped. We moved to the country and developed the ranch with horses hoping our children could find peace and recovery on the farm. Our experiences with our children and working with traumatized horses led us to envision a trauma therapy center which harnessed the parallel process of rescue, rehabilitation, and recovery for horses and humans.

What resources and/or skills have you found most beneficial in driving your impact on your community?

The most important resource I have is a very supportive husband. He has been a champion from the beginning as we have traversed the complex terrain of raising our family and moving into this tremendous ministry.

The most beneficial skill I possess is a unique combination of experience and education and being passionately dedicated to doing whatever it takes to save lives. When Peace Ranch began, our helping community knew that was that what we were doing to help kids with complex trauma wasn’t working. Fortunately, we had been in the community a long time advocating for our own kids and this gave me an “ear” in many circles and opened doors. I will always be grateful for the folks like Betsy Fisher at Leelanau Family Court, who were brave enough to make referrals for “horse therapy” at Peace Ranch. Our first 16 year old client was using alcohol & drugs, wearing a tether, and had been expelled from the last 2 high schools attended. After 8 weeks of therapy, all the issues at home were resolved. After 8 more weeks to support the transition to a new school she was elected President of ‘ her Class. This one client had been receiving services and support through multiple agencies. Our client’s’ successes have been the most beneficial way to influence and impact our community.

at organizations (that you’ve worked with) do you find most beneficial to your community?

am not the smartest person but I surround myself with competent people.” Maybe Henry Ford said this originally. I knew ing about running a nonprofit or writing grants. I have been truly blessed by many people over the years who believed in our and Mission and tolerated my ignorance. They have served as Volunteers, on Committees and on our Board of Directors are truly the champions. Our staff is made up of experienced professionals who want to make a difference. Their incredible knowledge and expertise is impacting our services and our reach. I have also found marvelous comrades at Child 8c Family Services; partners advocating for children and families in crisis with whom I could link arms to support the systemic shift in trauma therapy. I needed a lot of help so early on I started asking local business people out for coffee. Folks like Paul Sutherland and Denise Busley who had a much larger picture continue to provide inspiration and encouragement. SCORE, Northsky non-Profit and Rotary Charities have all helped me to learn the ins and outs of developing a healthy non-profit organization with practical support and professional development along the way There were people who cared enough to ask difficult questions like Bruce Rodgers from Rotary Charities during a site visit 2013 for our first major capital campaign representing the first grants I ever wrote. Bruce asked What will happen when Paul 8t Jackie decide to retire and move to Florida? I have thanked Bruce many times over the years for asking that question, forcing me at the beginning of our journey to plan for transition and succession as we got older. Finally, our local foundations including Biederman, Schmuckal, and Oleson, have been amazingly supportive right from the beginning in so many ways providing resources for us to expand and grow. Donors, sponsors and volunteers - all have been invaluable in the creation, development, and maintenance of our expanding community.

What do you think makes someone “Influential”?

What I think makes someone influential is a strong, unwavering commitment, maybe even a sense of calling, to the ideals you dedicate yourself and your life to. Often these ideals have been forged in difficulty resulting in deep personal growth and understanding. When this new learning is applied first personally and then more broadly it becomes wisdom. I can think of many great people whose life experience uniquely prepared them to discover a new path. The fortitude they developed through their adversity was the strength that carried them though their “wilderness” experience enabling them to cut the path that others could then follow. I did not invent the ideals that have shaped me but I have let them sink in deeply and transform me.

I never assume I know what someone needs to heal but believe that healing is possible for anyone when provided a safe, respectful environment if given the time and tools they need to do so.

As a nominee for “Influential Women of Northern MI”, what is your advice to other community leaders, or those aspiring to make a difference in your community?

When we started out, Peace Ranch offered “the crazy horse thing”. Today services at Peace Ranch represent the cutting edge of neuroscience. The most important thing any of us bring to our community is our uniqueness. Every person’s story is different. Our genetics, experiences, and education with our failures, struggles, successes, and talents combine to create someone who is intrinsically rare and therefore of extreme value. It is counterproductive to compare ourselves with others. If we come out on top, our ego inflates blinding us with pride. If we come out on the bottom, our ego deflates crippling us with lack of perspective. Strive to maintain an honest estimation of yourself. This will frees you to become all that God intended you to be. Start today because the world needs what YOU have to give.