The Gentle Barn | Kind Traveler

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children
no one else will work with are welcomed at The Gentle Barn
animals
no one else will take are rescued by The Gentle Barn
kindness
is proven to make you happier
healing
results when children + animals bond
empathy
is encouraged when children bond with animals
plantbased
diets are kind to people, animals, and the planet.

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Teaching people kindness and compassion to animals, each other, and our planet

The Gentle Barns’ MISSION is to teach people kindness and compassion to animals, each other, and our planet. As a national nonprofit organization founded in 1999, they are a safe haven and place of recovery for severely abused animals and children.

Why is it important?

In times of gangs, drugs, crime, violence and war, it is essential that we make efforts to ensure a more peaceful future for our children. The Gentle Barn is host to abused children, kids recovering from substance abuse, kids on probation, foster kids, and children and adults with mental, emotional, and physical challenges.

Through the interaction with the rescued animals, the kids learn forgiveness, courage, strength, leadership skills, trust, empathy, and kindness. The healing that takes place when the kids get together with the animals is miraculous.

How do they do it?

The Gentle Barn rescues, rehabilitates, and gives sanctuary to abused animals. Then educates through animals' stories and direct interaction with them.

Its Peace Enhancement Program and At-Risk Youth Program teaches empathy and unites children from group homes, foster homes, mental health care facilities, and inner-city schools with its rescued farm animals. Since children naturally identify with animals, they use interactions with animals to teach children that change is possible and to aid in healing.

In addition, The Gentle Barn offers standards-based educational programs, as well as a unique hands-on experience for students K-12. The Gentle Barn educates students through direct interaction with the animals.

Progress so far?

Since its foundation in 1999, this lovely sanctuary has rescued thousands of animals and hosted over 400,000 children. Starting off with only a half-acre property, The Gentle Barn has expanded nationally. With a six-acre farm in Santa Clarita being its headquarters space – complete with a picturesque red and white barnyard. The Gentle Barn’s newest location just opened in Tennessee. Their ultimate goal is to expand across the country so animals and children have a safe place to heal and be seen as the perfect beings that they are.

Supporters you may know:

Some of the celebrities that support The Gentle Barn are Ellen DeGeneres, Mark Wahlberg, Ronda Rousey, Hilary Swank, Portia de Rossi, Rose McGowan, and Pamela Anderson.

Partners:

The Gentle Barn has partnered with hundreds of Corporate Sponsors across the country, on both a local and national level. With its Gentle52 program, they focus on sustainability and introduce companies that aim to make an impact on society and help build a healthier world.

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Peace Enhancement Program

Ongoing | Current Project

We unite children from group homes, foster homes, mental health care facilities, schools and the inner-city with our rescued farm animals. Through the interaction with our animals, the children learn forgiveness, courage, strength, leadership skills, trust, empathy, and kindness.

Educational Program

Ongoing | Current Project

The Gentle Barn offers standards-based educational programs, as well as a unique hands-on experience for students K-12. The Gentle Barn educates students through direct interactions with the animals. The programs are designed to meet the science standards of individual grade levels. Students are also encouraged to explore issues such as empathy, kindness and responsibility while visiting The Gentle Barn.

Gentle 52

Ongoing | Current Project

The mission of our Gentle 52 program is to help facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility: The process of assessing an organization's impact on society and evaluating their responsibilities. Gentle 52 helps connect our patrons with weekly spotlight sponsors featuring healthy, plant-based, and environmentally friendly products and/or services.