Youth Ranch Ministry House Parents

We are seeking compassionate and dedicated House Parents to provide care and support for children and youth in a residential setting. Our vision at Wears Valley Ranch is to see each child inspired to follow Christ, healed from their past, and equipped to reach their full potential.

House Parents are our most essential instrument for accomplishing the vision of Wears Valley Ranch. We are more than a school, we are a family, and that family dynamic, atmosphere, and culture flow from God through the House Parents. They are the front lines of the change we work and pray for in the lives of our students. House Parents are the central instruments God uses to bring health and healing in the lives of our students.

They are the embodiment of Deuteronomy 6 when God instructs his people to impress his commandments and instructions on their children…it is life on life: when you sit at home and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. That means house parenting can be hard and messy at times, but it is in the messiness of relationships where change happens, where a loving house dad and mom love these students and point them to Jesus.

House parenting can also be deeply rewarding not only in the short term as you witness them change, but in the future as your relationship with the children you served continues years after your time as House Parents.

• Eight students per house

• Each student is private placement

• Students at WVR have a problem in their home which they did not create.

• Each house includes 2 Mentors (College-age Students in their 20s)

• Attend church of your choice that agrees with the WVR vision and statement of faith

• Live 5 minutes from The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Qualifications

• A strong, Christ-centered marriage between a man and a woman (You must be married to apply)

• Clear Christian testimony with demonstrated integrity

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to the local church.

• Cheerful, patient, flexible and energetic

• Team-player; must model servant-leadership for Residential Mentors and children

• Enjoys problem solving

• Responsive to authority and supervision

Responsibilities

• Model a Christ-centered marriage and provide a nurturing family environment

• Provide informal biblical counseling to students and mentors as needed.

• Provide 11 nutritionally balanced meals a week (Summer 14 meals a week)

• Learn and abide by the Staff Handbook

• If needed, tutor WVR students in daily academics

• Provide Spiritual Leadership (daily discipleship and leading evening devotions)

• Give consistent loving discipline, nurture, affirmation, and affection

• Administer prescribed medication to students

• Participate in recreational activities

FAQ

• What does school like for the students at WVR? Answer:
Lower school grades (1st–8th grade) completes school in the home in a homeschool model. Mentors are the main teachers for the lower school grades with House Parents providing support and teaching as needed. High School grades (9th-12th) attend school on campus in a school building with separate teachers and work to complete Tennessee State Requirements for high school graduates in subjects like humanities, mathematics, and sciences.

• Do you need to be married to serve as a House Parent? Answer:
Yes, you and your spouse serve together in this role.

• What is the ideal size for a House Parent Family? Answer: four or less (preferably less than three of your own children currently living in your home).

• May a family pet live in our house as we House Parent? Answer:
No. Dogs and cats are welcome on campus but must stay outside or in the garage.

• May House Parents responsibly drink alcohol when they are off duty? Answer:
No. For the sake of our students from abusive backgrounds, all employees of Wears Valley Ranch voluntarily give up alcohol consumption while employed by WVR.

• Can House Parents continue their education while serving? Answer:
Maybe. House Parenting is very engaging. Depending on the type of study, and your personal family commitments, continuing education may be a possibility while House Parenting.

• What type of students are admitted to WVR? Answer:
An example of a…