A Wonderful View From Happy Hill Farm

What does the 4-H Club, Dr. Phil, the Dallas Cowboys, and an architecture firm that specializes in K-12 designs have in common?

Happy Hill Academy & Home (and a working farm with an unbelievable animal program for the kids to work with...and why they do so well in 4-H competitions!), located just outside of Granbury, Texas (on the way to Glen Rose), has spent nearly 40 years protecting and inspiring kids that have been living lives in crisis.  Check out this video to learn more.

Ed Shipman, the school's founder, was approached in the late 60's by a friend who had two teenage girls without homes.  Building a school was not part of Mr. Shipman's plans...but boy did he ever follow an inspired path with that simple request.  What started out as an unexpected opportunity to make a difference in 2 kids' lives has led to a legacy of excellence that has become the guiding example of alternative school/home programs for kids anywhere in the US.  Hearing Mr. Shipman tell the story -- as I was blessed to do the other day when I was on the campus -- as he points to the 3D campus model under glass at the main Admin building, you can't help but be inspired by the vision and tenacity that grew from helping 2 girls to guiding generations of kids over the decades. 

The annual Dallas Cowboys Kick-Off Luncheon will take place tomorrow to support the Happy Hill mission/program...and this says quite a bit about the team's commitment to the school, the kids, and Ed's vision:

The event, hosted by the NFL Alumni Association, provides media, friends, and fans with a close-up look at the Cowboys as they head into the new season. All proceeds from the event go to benefit the Dallas Cowboys Courage House at Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home.

I first came into contact with the school -- only from a distance -- thanks to colleagues of mine at Huckabee, the architecture firm I had the pleasure of working for soon after I moved to Texas.  Happy Hill Farm had been a key commitment of the firm for years.  Had an opportunity to see the new academic building the other day that Huckabee designed (for free) and is in the process of being built.  When you see the little red schoolhouse (literally) that exists across the driveway which used to house all the kids, and you see the building that will soon support the learning programs, you get a sense that something special is unfolding that will take everyone to some pretty special places in time. 

If you're a fan of Dr. Phil, perhaps you've heard of Happy Hill as well.  You can learn more about the relationship between Dr. Phil and the school...and even find how to donate, if you want. Or, listen to Dr. Phil talk about the kids/school in a brief audio he made. Some incredible kids, an amazing staff, and an unbelievable vision to make a difference might be worth a few minutes of looking around.  And if you ever make your way out to Texas, consider getting in touch and learning more about the program in person.

Thanks to Ivy for taking time out of her day to show me around the campus, thanks to Mr. Shipman for taking the time to share with me the founding story of the school/farm, and thanks to the kids/staff who took time to share with me a little bit about their lives and experiences at Happy Hill.  An amazing place, indeed! 

Comments

[Angela Martinez]

are mr and mrs coddingtons still work at happy hill farm? from the year 2000 2001

[nicole barnes]

Thank u Mr. and Mrs. Shipman for building a place for kids. i really enjoyed being able to live there. Threw yall i learned so much and was showed love that i never got at home. Also thank you to all the people that donated or sponor the farm. thank you alot. thank you to all the people that come in my life and taught me things. A special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. shipman and their family. Syliva brown the cook and her husband scotty and the dallas cowboys that i got to meet like (chad hennings, joey galloway and the others but those r the ones that stood out in my head)

[lauren]

i have a friend that goes here. and i miss her. but i wish she is doing better for herself. i love you courtney, your my sister.