Blazing Hope Ranch Opens H.O.P.E. Haven Houses Donated by Vanderbilt Mortgage

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was on hand last month as Blazing Hope Ranch, a nonprofit organization in Dayton, Tenn., that aids survivors of human trafficking, commemorated its new H.O.P.E. Haven facilities at a recent dedication ceremony.

H.O.P.E. -- Healing, Opportunity, Protection and Education -- Haven will serve as transitional living quarters for the survivors in the Blazing Hope Ranch program. In 2016 Vanderbilt Mortgage donated two modular homes previously used for company housing to Blazing Hope Ranch that currently make up H.O.P.E. Haven. The four bedroom, two bathroom homes will be used to house female survivors and live-in mentors while they go through the organization’s program.

“We are blessed to contribute to such an amazing cause right here in East Tennessee,” Eric Hamilton, president of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., said as he addressed the ceremony attendees. “Their dedication to helping these survivors is truly inspiring and makes a direct impact to our shared community.”

The Blazing Hope program, operated by David and Jolien Haggard, takes in survivors of human trafficking and helps them through an 18-24-month rehabilitation program where they can learn life skills and undergo equestrian-based therapy, using horses rescued from poor or abusive conditions. The ranch sits on a 120-acre property that was donated by a local church.

“Blazing Hope Ranch is doing some truly incredible work by helping to rescue people from some of the worst circumstances imaginable,” Hamilton said. “It’s my hope that more people become aware of this growing issue and are inspired to help in any way that they can.”

For more information about the Blazing Hope Ranch and ways to donate, visit BlazingHopeRanch.org.

About Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. is a national housing lender that specializes in financing manufactured homes. In business for more than 40 years, the company currently services more than 200,000 home loans and works hard to tailor loans to each family’s needs. Vanderbilt has an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau and is a Berkshire Hathaway company. For more information, visit vmf.com.