History of Exodus Farms
In 2002, a lone foster youth wandered up the driveway asking just to pet a horse. Ginger and Bob Salido, owners of the once broken down property that would soon become Exodus Farms, let that broken hearted little girl pet their horse – a horse who also had a broken heart. Once abused and neglected, now owned by the kind couple, the horse and the child connected.
That meeting reignited a spark in Ginger, one that had been dormant since childhood.
One foster child coming to pet a horse became several, and over the next few months Exodus Farms was born. With a background in Christian youth mentorship, Ginger was able to mentor those foster children one on one with the help of her rescued horses. It quickly became apparent that what lit up those foster children was the same thing that worked miracles for those discarded horses: unconditional love and acceptance, kindness, care, boundaries, and a new purpose for their lives. As the kids found purpose in helping to rehabilitate and restore these unwanted horses, their anger and bitterness melted away. The children took on responsibility as they came week after week, caring for and helping their new four legged friends find hope and purpose too.
The name Exodus was chosen because it symbolizes the journey from a life of captivity to a life of freedom through a relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ. Our purpose here at Exodus is simply to love like Jesus loves, opening our gates and arms to all who come, helping them to move forward in their lives – out of old patterns of brokenness, abuse, loneliness, dependence or fear and into a new place of wholeness, healthy relationships, freedom, community and purpose. This is taught through a horsemanship program in a safe homelike environment where children and their families experience peace and love.
Today, Exodus’ “healing herd” has grown into a beautiful and diverse menagerie of repurposed equines, dogs, and cats. All of them, from the ex-dressage horse, to the once terrified mini mule, to the cats and dogs that have wandered here on their own, are given a permanent home no matter their age, infirmities, behavior issues, physical challenges or lack of training. Their message to those who visit is life changing, not one of them is perfect. Some came to Exodus quite “broken”, but every one of them has a divine purpose here changing lives!
Exodus Farms Ministry now operates full time as 80 to 90 youth visit us weekly, free of charge. Since we know it takes a village to raise a child, we also run supplemental support groups to support the families of the youth, such as parenting classes, a grief group, and a support group for grandparents raising grandchildren. Through these various avenues, families are transformed as they learn how to connect and communicate better, how to have responsibility and compassion, and how to love and support one another.
All of this is made possible only by the support of our sponsors, partners, and an incredible group of over 100 volunteers, with and without horse experience, that find their own lives transformed as they participate in God’s restoration of broken hearts! Contact us to find out how you can get involved!