spotlight: H.O.P.E. FARM | GARY RANDLE
Passion Becomes Reality for Local Non-Profit
With three simple words, Arthur Breland defined the mission of a local organization and nearly brought a grown man to tears.
The organization: H.O.P.E. Farm, the faith-based non-profit that mentors fatherless young men in Fort Worth who are at risk.
The man: Gary Randle, founder and executive director of H.O.P.E. Farm.
The three words: “I got it.”
“Tell me what you have,” Randle said in response to Arthur’s very general statement. The two were sitting in Randle’s office, a place many H.O.P.E. Farm boys try to avoid at all cost.
For Arthur this office visit was different, though. He was home from college, visiting the place and the man that helped change his life.
He clarified his obscure remark: “I understand the reason that I’m the way I am is because of the way you are.”
On the verge of tears, Randle’s dream, vision and passion for H.O.P.E. Farm became a joyous reality. He said, “You got it.”
Others are starting to get it, too – like Nick Martin, who applauded Randle’s no-nonsense approach to getting these young men on the right track.
“He’s a father-figure for these boys,” said Martin, a Community Foundation fund holder and board member. “He gives ‘em hell when they do what they’re not supposed to. Anytime you take a kid that might end up nowhere, and help them, somebody is doing the right thing.”
For the last 20 years, H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel) Farm has mentored hundreds of at risk boys and started raising “contributors.”
“I want their best,” Randle said. “I want them to maximize their personal experience.”When asked about long-term visions for H.O.P.E. Farm, Randle’s eyes lit up and he explained that one day he wants to have a full-blown school for boys.He knows it’s going to be hard and sometimes the vision seems daunting.
“When I get low, I think about what Arthur said to me that day,” Randle explained. “It picks me up.”
We got it.