Tom Sanford, the founder of Project Patch, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 4, 2024.
He faced many challenges during his 80 years of life. He didn’t choose the poverty and horrors he faced as a child. Yet, if you know his story, which he captured in his book The Wounded Healer, Tom chose to spend his life helping others, especially kids who endured abuse.
Tom knew he wanted to be a pastor from a young age. He recalled standing on a stump and preaching his heart out to the “host of trees and vegetation that all stood in stunned silence.” Once a pastor, he learned that people needed much more than preaching. He helped start two church schools, recorded radio spots, and recruited doctors to Montana. He accepted challenges and worked hard to help meet the needs of his church and community.
While pastoring in Hood River, Oregon, he realized how many teens needed help. Parents called him, and he helped seven teens find alternatives to the judicial system. He assumed he wasn’t the only pastor overwhelmed by the needs of struggling teens. In 1981, he surveyed fellow pastors and discovered that of the 37 pastors who responded, they knew of 21 kids already in the juvenile justice system and 26 close to it. The numbers were overwhelming, but Tom accepted the challenge of helping.
He drafted a plan to provide out-of-home placement, similar to what he and Bonnie had been doing with the JAM (Jail Alternative Measure). He estimated that a half-time employee working in Oregon or a full-time employee working in the North Pacific Conference would be adequate in finding homes and providing some preventative services. He got support from many other pastors and church leaders but was ultimately turned down by higher administration in the fall of 1982 due to a lack of financial resources.
Tom chose to spend his life helping others, especially kids who endured abuse.
In the meantime, Tom continued to pastor while helping as many teens as possible. One mom wrote, “Yes, we turn to Tom. But how many don’t know of Tom and his endeavors to provide these youth with a Christian environment with the promise of restoring them as useful citizens, not only in this life but for eternity.”
“I know you cannot perform the impossible,” wrote another parent. “However, if you know of a family that can help in this situation, I would appreciate what you can do.”
Tom kept pushing forward, trusting in God. Jere Patzer wrote, “If this is His plan, there is nothing that can stop it, and certainly, you have given reason for us to believe that it has this merit.” Once given the green light in the fall of 1983, Tom began the challenging work of launching Project Patch, which proved much more complicated than he imagined.
Project Patch is a miracle story. Tom rallied others to help, and they worked to find families to open their homes to struggling teens. It became clear that more kids needed help, and their needs were more than many homes could handle.
Tom also kept praying, and his prayers were answered when land was donated in Idaho to build a treatment program. Tom experienced miracle after miracle as God provided volunteers, staff, building materials, and protection.
Though Tom retired as CEO in 2010, his heart and energy continued to be devoted to helping teens and families and doing what he could to further the ministry of Project Patch.
Tom was faithful. He accepted challenges and worked hard to help. He worked tirelessly to provide dignity, respect, and resources for kids that others considered hopeless. He made sure scholarships were available to families who couldn’t afford care. He also never stopped being Pastor Tom, who prayed and worked diligently for teens to discover the love, joy, and purpose found in Jesus Christ.
In honor and memory of Tom, the Project Patch Board of Directors created the “Tom Sanford Memorial Scholarship Fund.” Every scholarship awarded will honor Tom’s life and the impact of a well-lived life in service to others and God.
We invite you to attend Tom’s memorial service at 3 PM on Saturday, November 2. You can attend in person at Vancouver (Washington) Community Seventh-day Adventist Church or watch the live stream. Learn more at www.projectpatch.org/tom
40 YEARS OF PROJECT PATCH
Sunday, September 8, was a special day on the beautiful campus of Project Patch in Garden Valley, Idaho.
On that day, our staff, clients, families, supporters, community, and founding family came together to celebrate 40 years of restoring hope to teens, building thriving families, and empowering supportive communities. The day was filled with great stories, good food, and yummy treats. Activities included an entertaining photo booth, a fun (and challenging) inflatable obstacle course, an informative campus tour, and a moving reflection on the legacy of Tom Sanford and the many others who devoted themselves to this crucial work.
If you couldn’t join us, enjoy a pictorial recap of the event below. And consider joining us in Vancouver, Washington, on Sunday, November 3, for a 40th Anniversary Brunch Celebration. Get more information and purchase tickets and tables by October 23 at www.projectpatch.org/WA40.
Wildfire Camp Tour with the BoysHorse Duty with the BoysRock Climbing with the GirlsCanoeing with the Girls
WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER
When teens arrive at Project Patch, most have experienced some form of childhood trauma, often called “adverse childhood experiences” or ACEs. This could be in the form of physical or sexual abuse, loss of a loved one due to death or incarceration, witnessing violence, or a variety of other traumatic life events.
While these traumatic events don’t affect every child the same, all have the potential to negatively impact the child’s mental, physical, or behavioral health. Often resulting in destructive coping behaviors — such as drug/alcohol use, self-harm, isolation, technology addiction, or other unhealthy life choices — behaviors that have likely brought them to Patch.
Whatever their challenges, group, family, and individual therapy are all part of the healing process while they are at Patch. While group and family therapy are important, many believe individual therapy is the most important in inspiring change and improving the quality of life. Our therapists work one-on-one with the teen during these sessions to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The goal is to improve their well-being — learn communication, social, and coping skills, identify issues, set goals, and find their strengths to move forward in a healthy way. On this personal journey, one of the final requirements of completing the Patch therapy program is to write their life story.
The life story is considered a therapeutic tool to empower the teen and won’t be tackled until they have learned some healthy coping behaviors necessary to process these traumatic events. Our therapists say, “The goal (of the life story) is to process the things they have been through to get to where they are. To consider what they had to overcome and how they have been resilient.”
Writing their life story takes time, is not easy, and tends to be a very emotional process. It helps them identify what they can control in their life (their behaviors and choices) and what they can’t (the traumatic events they have endured in their childhood). It is also an opportunity for them to think about what they want their future to look like and what they can do to get there.
Ultimately, their life story will be presented prior to graduation to at least their peers and potentially to their families. Each story is unique, but many have similarities. They are enlightening, encouraging, and heartbreaking at the same time, and they quite likely will bring tears to your eyes.
At the very least, they help the teens understand and recognize that while they may not have had control over writing the start of their life story, they are in control of writing the rest of it. As one of our recent graduates (part of whose life story is below) said of his next chapter, “I just want to be a good person.”
On the campus tour, our admissions director, Trina showed guests the dorm, core building, and school and shared how each is utilized in the day-to-day life of our teens.
With the help of some great volunteers, guests could commemorate the event in our photo booth and even take prints of the picture collage with them.
For many, the highlight of the day was the beautiful program reflection in our chapel presented by our CEO, Chuck, and our board president, Rick. It shared the story of how Patch began and evolved over the years with the help of so many individuals (and more than a few miracles). It included some special footage of our founder, Tom, as well as interviews with some of our teens.
BRUNCH CELEBRATION – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Royal Oaks Country Club – 8917 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA
This is a casual TICKETED celebration that will include a breakfast buffet, a reflection on Tom and Bonnie Sanford’s legacy, and a short program by our CEO, Chuck Hagele.
In 1982, Tom asked his bosses, “Why not give Bonnie and me a year to show what can be done in reclaiming youth?”
Over forty years later, we celebrate Project Patch’s 40th anniversary while simultaneously reflecting on Tom Sanford’s life and legacy.
It’s clear from the first days of Patch that Tom didn’t know how much God wanted him to do. As Tom shared God’s call, others joined in to help. The ministry grew from an out-of-home referral program to a highly respected, licensed, and accredited therapeutic residential treatment program.
The last forty years clearly demonstrate God’s desire to reclaim teens, and His faithfulness as we follow His calling.
This issue of PatchWorks highlights Tom Sanford’s legacy and reminds us of the countless others who have been a part of this life-transforming work, including our current and former staff, board members, donors, and those who have given legacy gifts.
We continue to be inspired by the efforts of the clients in our care who do the hard work involved in counseling, recovery, and renewal. It is a privilege to help them write the next chapter in their life story.
Finally, we see the transformation that can happen when we choose to live in service of others . . . whether it is starting a program, helping those displaced by wildfires (see boys doing horse duty in Youth Program Happenings), or serving others during a celebration. This season feels like a rollercoaster with tears, laughter, loss, and comfort. The heart of Project Patch is restoring Hope. I pray that in this season of celebration and mourning, you are filled with Hope.
A year from now, I look forward to showing you what a difference we’ve made together in reclaiming youth. Let’s once again devote ourselves and our resources to this great call.
The day before the 40th Anniversary Open House festivities was a celebration of a different kind. It was a time for the individuals who helped build Project Patch into what it is today to come together and celebrate their contribution to the dr eam of one man, Tom Sanford. We gathered in our chapel to worship and sing with our current teens in a special Sabbath service led by four Patch chaplains — three former and one current. This was followed by a delicious lunch in the core building, where each one of them spent many hours during their time at Patch. Then, we spent the afternoon reminiscing and sharing stories that made us laugh, cry, and sometimes scratch our heads. As Bonnie Sanford shared about the early days of Patch, “Tom was running full speed following God’s leading, and I was running after and alongside him.”
Some at the reunion were Patch staff for months in those early days, others for years in the middle, and a handful are still here after decades. While the time of their contribution varied and their experiences differed, they all gave their hearts and souls to teens when they needed it the most. And for that, we celebrated.
PROJECT PATCH WISH LIST
For those who prefer to give toward a specific project, the following list contains items that are needed, yet are not a part of the operating budget. Please make sure to note on your gift if you would like it designated for a specific Wish List item or the highest need Wish List item. If the item has already been purchased, we will contact you for further instructions.
To donate via credit card: please call our office at 360-690-8495 or use the button below To donate via check: please mail to Project Patch, PO Box 820209, Vancouver WA 98682
PatchWorks Fall 2024
CELEBRATING A LEGACY
Tom Sanford, the founder of Project Patch, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 4, 2024.
He faced many challenges during his 80 years of life. He didn’t choose the poverty and horrors he faced as a child. Yet, if you know his story, which he captured in his book The Wounded Healer, Tom chose to spend his life helping others, especially kids who endured abuse.
Tom knew he wanted to be a pastor from a young age. He recalled standing on a stump and preaching his heart out to the “host of trees and vegetation that all stood in stunned silence.” Once a pastor, he learned that people needed much more than preaching. He helped start two church schools, recorded radio spots, and recruited doctors to Montana. He accepted challenges and worked hard to help meet the needs of his church and community.
While pastoring in Hood River, Oregon, he realized how many teens needed help. Parents called him, and he helped seven teens find alternatives to the judicial system. He assumed he wasn’t the only pastor overwhelmed by the needs of struggling teens. In 1981, he surveyed fellow pastors and discovered that of the 37 pastors who responded, they knew of 21 kids already in the juvenile justice system and 26 close to it. The numbers were overwhelming, but Tom accepted the challenge of helping.
He drafted a plan to provide out-of-home placement, similar to what he and Bonnie had been doing with the JAM (Jail Alternative Measure). He estimated that a half-time employee working in Oregon or a full-time employee working in the North Pacific Conference would be adequate in finding homes and providing some preventative services. He got support from many other pastors and church leaders but was ultimately turned down by higher administration in the fall of 1982 due to a lack of financial resources.
In the meantime, Tom continued to pastor while helping as many teens as possible. One mom wrote, “Yes, we turn to Tom. But how many don’t know of Tom and his endeavors to provide these youth with a Christian environment with the promise of restoring them as useful citizens, not only in this life but for eternity.”
“I know you cannot perform the impossible,” wrote another parent. “However, if you know of a family that can help in this situation, I would appreciate what you can do.”
Tom kept pushing forward, trusting in God. Jere Patzer wrote, “If this is His plan, there is nothing that can stop it, and certainly, you have given reason for us to believe that it has this merit.” Once given the green light in the fall of 1983, Tom began the challenging work of launching Project Patch, which proved much more complicated than he imagined.
Project Patch is a miracle story. Tom rallied others to help, and they worked to find families to open their homes to struggling teens. It became clear that more kids needed help, and their needs were more than many homes could handle.
Tom also kept praying, and his prayers were answered when land was donated in Idaho to build a treatment program. Tom experienced miracle after miracle as God provided volunteers, staff, building materials, and protection.
Though Tom retired as CEO in 2010, his heart and energy continued to be devoted to helping teens and families and doing what he could to further the ministry of Project Patch.
Tom was faithful. He accepted challenges and worked hard to help. He worked tirelessly to provide dignity, respect, and resources for kids that others considered hopeless. He made sure scholarships were available to families who couldn’t afford care. He also never stopped being Pastor Tom, who prayed and worked diligently for teens to discover the love, joy, and purpose found in Jesus Christ.
In honor and memory of Tom, the Project Patch Board of Directors created the “Tom Sanford Memorial Scholarship Fund.” Every scholarship awarded will honor Tom’s life and the impact of a well-lived life in service to others and God.
We invite you to attend Tom’s memorial service at 3 PM on Saturday, November 2. You can attend in person at Vancouver (Washington) Community Seventh-day Adventist Church or watch the live stream. Learn more at www.projectpatch.org/tom
40 YEARS OF PROJECT PATCH
Sunday, September 8, was a special day on the beautiful campus of Project Patch in Garden Valley, Idaho.
On that day, our staff, clients, families, supporters, community, and founding family came together to celebrate 40 years of restoring hope to teens, building thriving families, and empowering supportive communities. The day was filled with great stories, good food, and yummy treats. Activities included an entertaining photo booth, a fun (and challenging) inflatable obstacle course, an informative campus tour, and a moving reflection on the legacy of Tom Sanford and the many others who devoted themselves to this crucial work.
If you couldn’t join us, enjoy a pictorial recap of the event below. And consider joining us in Vancouver, Washington, on Sunday, November 3, for a 40th Anniversary Brunch Celebration. Get more information and purchase tickets and tables by October 23 at www.projectpatch.org/WA40.
YOUTH PROGRAM HAPPENINGS
WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER
When teens arrive at Project Patch, most have experienced some form of childhood trauma, often called “adverse childhood experiences” or ACEs. This could be in the form of physical or sexual abuse, loss of a loved one due to death or incarceration, witnessing violence, or a variety of other traumatic life events.
While these traumatic events don’t affect every child the same, all have the potential to negatively impact the child’s mental, physical, or behavioral health. Often resulting in destructive coping behaviors — such as drug/alcohol use, self-harm, isolation, technology addiction, or other unhealthy life choices — behaviors that have likely brought them to Patch.
Whatever their challenges, group, family, and individual therapy are all part of the healing process while they are at Patch. While group and family therapy are important, many believe individual therapy is the most important in inspiring change and improving the quality of life. Our therapists work one-on-one with the teen during these sessions to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The goal is to improve their well-being — learn communication, social, and coping skills, identify issues, set goals, and find their strengths to move forward in a healthy way. On this personal journey, one of the final requirements of completing the Patch therapy program is to write their life story.
The life story is considered a therapeutic tool to empower the teen and won’t be tackled until they have learned some healthy coping behaviors necessary to process these traumatic events. Our therapists say, “The goal (of the life story) is to process the things they have been through to get to where they are. To consider what they had to overcome and how they have been resilient.”
Writing their life story takes time, is not easy, and tends to be a very emotional process. It helps them identify what they can control in their life (their behaviors and choices) and what they can’t (the traumatic events they have endured in their childhood). It is also an opportunity for them to think about what they want their future to look like and what they can do to get there.
Ultimately, their life story will be presented prior to graduation to at least their peers and potentially to their families. Each story is unique, but many have similarities. They are enlightening, encouraging, and heartbreaking at the same time, and they quite likely will bring tears to your eyes.
At the very least, they help the teens understand and recognize that while they may not have had control over writing the start of their life story, they are in control of writing the rest of it. As one of our recent graduates (part of whose life story is below) said of his next chapter, “I just want to be a good person.”
40TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE IN PICTURES
On the campus tour, our admissions director, Trina showed guests the dorm, core building, and school and shared how each is utilized in the day-to-day life of our teens.
With the help of some great volunteers, guests could commemorate the event in our photo booth and even take prints of the picture collage with them.
For many, the highlight of the day was the beautiful program reflection in our chapel presented by our CEO, Chuck, and our board president, Rick. It shared the story of how Patch began and evolved over the years with the help of so many individuals (and more than a few miracles). It included some special footage of our founder, Tom, as well as interviews with some of our teens.
BRUNCH CELEBRATION – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Royal Oaks Country Club – 8917 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA
This is a casual TICKETED celebration that will include a breakfast buffet, a reflection on Tom and Bonnie Sanford’s legacy, and a short program by our CEO, Chuck Hagele.
$75/individual • $150/couple • $600/table of 8
PURCHASE your table or tickets at: www.projectpatch.org/WA40
PIECING IT TOGETHER By Chuck Hagele, CEO
In 1982, Tom asked his bosses, “Why not give Bonnie and me a year to show what can be done in reclaiming youth?”
Over forty years later, we celebrate Project Patch’s 40th anniversary while simultaneously reflecting on Tom Sanford’s life and legacy.
It’s clear from the first days of Patch that Tom didn’t know how much God wanted him to do. As Tom shared God’s call, others joined in to help. The ministry grew from an out-of-home referral program to a highly respected, licensed, and accredited therapeutic residential treatment program.
The last forty years clearly demonstrate God’s desire to reclaim teens, and His faithfulness as we follow His calling.
This issue of PatchWorks highlights Tom Sanford’s legacy and reminds us of the countless others who have been a part of this life-transforming work, including our current and former staff, board members, donors, and those who have given legacy gifts.
We continue to be inspired by the efforts of the clients in our care who do the hard work involved in counseling, recovery, and renewal. It is a privilege to help them write the next chapter in their life story.
Finally, we see the transformation that can happen when we choose to live in service of others . . . whether it is starting a program, helping those displaced by wildfires (see boys doing horse duty in Youth Program Happenings), or serving others during a celebration. This season feels like a rollercoaster with tears, laughter, loss, and comfort. The heart of Project Patch is restoring Hope. I pray that in this season of celebration and mourning, you are filled with Hope.
A year from now, I look forward to showing you what a difference we’ve made together in reclaiming youth. Let’s once again devote ourselves and our resources to this great call.
PATCH STAFF REUNION
The day before the 40th Anniversary Open House festivities was a celebration of a different kind. It was a time for the individuals who helped build Project Patch into what it is today to come together and celebrate their contribution to the dr eam of one man, Tom Sanford. We gathered in our chapel to worship and sing with our current teens in a special Sabbath service led by four Patch chaplains — three former and one current. This was followed by a delicious lunch in the core building, where each one of them spent many hours during their time at Patch. Then, we spent the afternoon reminiscing and sharing stories that made us laugh, cry, and sometimes scratch our heads. As Bonnie Sanford shared about the early days of Patch, “Tom was running full speed following God’s leading, and I was running after and alongside him.”
Some at the reunion were Patch staff for months in those early days, others for years in the middle, and a handful are still here after decades. While the time of their contribution varied and their experiences differed, they all gave their hearts and souls to teens when they needed it the most. And for that, we celebrated.
PROJECT PATCH WISH LIST
For those who prefer to give toward a specific project, the following list contains items that are needed, yet are not a part of the operating budget. Please make sure to note on your gift if you would like it designated for a specific Wish List item or the highest need Wish List item. If the item has already been purchased, we will contact you for further instructions.
Updated October 2024
To donate via credit card: please call our office at 360-690-8495 or use the button below
To donate via check: please mail to Project Patch, PO Box 820209, Vancouver WA 98682
open positions at Patch
follow us on social media
www.facebook.com/projectpatch
www.instagram.com/project_patch
Share this: