Gary Stauffer has a big vision for his 41 acres in Calhan. Stauffer is working on a project to build facilities and provide activities for at-risk youth.Stauffer said he feels called to work with teenagers. His degree is in education and recreational services, and he has always wanted to be a youth minister.He has also mentored students at Manual High School in Denver.”I enjoyed being able to reach out and work with kids and give them something they didn’t have at home – a strong role model,” Stauffer said. “It was very frustrating because there were so many kids in need.”Stauffer is currently a bus driver for Falcon School District 49. He said his exposure to students of various ages and life situations prompted him to dream big about ways he could make a difference.In 2007, Stauffer began working on plans to create a youth ministry center – Soaring Eagle Ranch – and bring a variety of opportunities to at-risk teens.”Youth at risk is a broad area,” Stauffer said. “It could almost be any kid that needs a little bit more supervision and needs something to do. Out here, especially on the eastern plains, there is not a lot for kids to do after school.”Stauffer said he plans to build a community center where teens could get help with homework and learn life skills. He hopes to engage senior citizens to mentor the teens and teach classes on balancing a checkbook, changing the oil on a car and basic home economic skills like cooking and sewing.An equine training center also figures into Stauffer’s plans, along with a greenhouse to teach gardening and a ropes course and rock climbing area to encourage team building, he said.When completed, Stauffer envisions a multi-purpose facility available to teens in the immediate area. Eventually, he would like to extend its reach throughout El Paso County up to the Denver metro area.”There are about 30 or 40 agencies (in the area) that have youth and volunteer groups,” he said. “They all have an idea to help kids. That’s the bottom line – how can we help kids.”But Stauffer feels many organizations fall short. He said he believes a religious foundation is important in helping teens build confidence and strong character.”Other groups give teens all this information, but the one thing I think they’re lacking is fatih in God,” Stauffer said. “They take them up to a certain point but they don’t take them that extra step.”Soaring Eagle Ranch will be built on a foundation of Christian faith and will offer Bible study classes, Stauffer said. “We want to create an environment where teens can develop a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said.So far, Stauffer has personally bank rolled the project, though he said he has received a few small donations here and there. He said he is ready to take the planning to the next level and seek private donations.”I really need someone to come alongside and be a main part of what we’re doing,” Stauffer said. “I need two or three key people – to act as executive director, do community outreach and someone to run the equine center.”Stauffer said his faith helps him through all the ups and downs of his ambitious project. “Sometimes I get frustrated because something comes up. I say, ‘why am I doing this?'” Stauffer said. “I’ve tried to quit a couple of times. But the answer I feel I get from the Lord is that he loves these kids, and I have a calling to do this.”
