IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

General Store and Grill, a part of Sheltering Tree Ranch, was specifically developed with the challenges of adults with special needs in mind. We have invited customers to step into the world of our Ranch Hands…to see the “ability in disability.”
 
Our Store & Grill has offered our Ranch Hands the opportunity to learn job (life and social) skills, the opportunity to meet customers (learning to serve and interact), the ability to share their talents (some through making things for the Store) and to train in an environment that is specialized for their needs. Unfortunately, rising costs and the changing needs of our Ranch Hands, among other factors, have created many challenges over the past year.
 
As always, our Store staff and leadership have been prayerfully considering options and evaluating how we can best serve the Ranch Hands that we have at this time (as well as the future Ranch Hands we hope to serve).
 
With God’s guidance, we have made the decision that September 4 will be the last day that the Grill (not the Store) will be open to the public for dining on weekdays. (See the previous post for information on private group bookings)
 
This change will give us the opportunity to hopefully continue (and expand) the Ranch Hand program to focus even more on social, education, creative and life skills needs.
 
The Pancake Breakfasts, which help us support this program, will continue, as usual. Watch for these on the first Saturday of every month (unless otherwise noted).
 
In addition, the Store will remain open. We are looking for new products and developing new ideas to focus on improving our selection. We are hoping to provide more items, some of which focus on the Ranch and the special needs community. Please keep watching our Facebook page for these new improvements!
 
In addition, we are happy that Mrs. Sherry and Mrs. Janet will continue to work at the Store and will serve as Adult Learning Instructors.
 
To our existing customers, Thank You!
 
We have truly enjoyed serving you.
 
We hope that you will continue to support the program by stopping by to shop in the Store.
 
Parents of adults, with special needs, know that the need for accommodations do not disappear. Adulthood does not remove all the challenges. We want to be an ongoing source to improve the lives of special needs adults, as well as children.
 
Watch our Store page for new additions and events!
 
Also, we request that you be in prayer for this program. This is not the direction that we were expecting, but we are following God’s lead and the developing needs of our Ranch Hands. Change isn’t always easy but sometimes it is necessary.
 
Prayerfully, we keep our eyes on the mission before us: to serve God and the special needs community.
 
We hope that you will stop by and help us support these young people, as we seek to better meet their needs.
 
Psalm 1:3 (KJV): “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Overview:

*The Store will remain Open and expanding our selection
*The Grill will be Closing on weekdays
*The Grill will still serve groups (advance notice required)
*The Grill will be Open for Pancake Breakfasts

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Changes to the The General Store at Sheltering Tree Ranch

The General Store and Grill is our Adult Special Needs Training Facility. Our Ranch Hands (adult learners) are taught life skills, social skills, and the Bible while learning/practicing job skills. 
 
The Store is open Monday – Friday (10 am – 5pm).
 
The Grill is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (10 am – 2 pm).
 
Burgers (including our popular Bacon Jam Burger), Specialty Burgers (like Mushroom Swiss and the unique Reuben Burger) and Chicken Salad Sandwiches are some of the items on the menu!
 
In addition, we offer desserts made in our very own kitchen as well as cold sandwiches and other items (such as chicken salad) in containers located in the Store cooler. 
 
Thank you so much for your support!

About Us

Sheltering Tree Ranch is a public 501(c)(3) education, scientific, and religious organization dedicated to providing a supportive environment for children and adults with unique challenges through our autism & learning challenge education center.

Established in Savannah, TN in 2007, we provide intensive and individualized instruction programs focusing on whole-child and adult development. We are also able to provide engaging outdoor activities and host awareness raising events on the ranch grounds with the help of our local community. Our goal is to help each person achieve their God-given potential with a strong support network of families, staff, and the greater community.

Want to know more about the Ranch Hand program?

The Ranch Hand program is a non-paid, educational, real-life experience for special needs adults. They are trained in job skills, life skills and social skills as well as learning Bible lessons.

Individuals must be able to consistently attend their scheduled times. (Individuals are scheduled for a few hours a day, a few days a week. We schedule them on the days that best fit their needs.)

Ranch Hands must be willing to work, learn and take direction and/or correction. This is a training experience, and Ranch Hands are expected to work on tasks and work toward independence doing these tasks.

The application process involves filling out an application which can be done digitally (https://forms.gle/VUYRWUjz4SfozTKv8) or picked up at the General Store.

Applications are then reviewed to see if an interview is needed.

(Note: Neither filling out an application nor getting an interview guarantees a position. Applicants are assessed as to whether or not they are a good fit for the program. Applicants are assessed based on the types of position(s) available and the abilities of the applicant, as well as other related factors. Due to the nature of the program, not every special needs adult will fit the criteria necessary to become a Ranch Hand.)

If you would like more information on the Ranch Hand program, call 731-280-0280 (during Store Hours). If you would like to apply, pick up an application at the General Store at Sheltering Tree Ranch (during Store Hours).