WHO WE ARE & HOW WE SERVE
MISSION
Acts in the Desert exists to cultivate a committed community shaped by acts of love, where children, families, and foster caregivers form resilient relationships, develop practical skills, and grow enduring hope through shared work, truth taught in love, and living life together.
VISION
We envision a future where children and families facing hard seasons are seen and belong within committed, healthy communities that show up consistently, share life and responsibility together, and create hopeful, sustainable paths forward.
ACTS OF LOVE
We believe love is not merely a feeling or belief, but something practiced daily through service, patience, and care. Like the early church described in the Book of Acts, we commit to showing up for one another in tangible ways, even when it is inconvenient or goes unseen. Acts of love shape our community culture and form the foundation for trust, healing, and growth.
ROOTED BELONGING
Throughout history, we can see how people are formed through connection with God and with one another. From the beginning, we were created for life together, where presence, care, and commitment shape who we become. True belonging is built as people show up, share life, and take part in the rhythms of community. Rooted belonging creates spaces where individuals are known, supported, and able to grow over time.
BECOMING THROUGH CHOICE
Much of life is shaped by circumstances beyond our control, yet growth and positive change can come through the choices we make in response. As people are equipped with support and opportunity, they learn to respond with wisdom, courage, integrity, and discernment. Over time, thoughtful choices shape character and strengthen confidence, even when those choices are difficult in the moment.
PRACTICAL WISDOM
Practical wisdom is formed through everyday experience, especially in caring for what has been entrusted to us. As people learn to manage resources, take ownership of shared spaces, and form healthy daily cadences, skills take root and confidence develops. Learning how to intentionally prepare, maintain, and provide for ourselves through everyday work builds capability and lays foundations for stability, contribution, and growth.
COMMUNITY IN MOTION
Joy takes shape when people recognize they have something to offer and are invited to contribute. Offering time, skill, and creativity for the good of others cultivates a sense of purpose that grows through participation. Gifts, whether discovered naturally or carefully crafted, come alive when put to use. As individuals participate in work that serves beyond themselves, satisfaction grows, wounds begin to heal, and meaning is seen and felt. Community in motion reflects a way of living where fulfillment is found not in obligation or in being needed, but in offering what we have toward something that matters.
Trauma-Informed & Faith-Based Approach
Trauma-informed care includes safe, consistent adults who show up over time, predictable routines that reduce anxiety, empowering youth with choice and voice, and relationships built on trust, not compliance. Healing happens in safe relationships, not rushed programs.
Faith-based care means Christ-centered love modeled through actions, prayer and scripture offered never forced, respect for each person’s background and beliefs, and space for questions, growth, and honest conversation. Faith is expressed through presence, patience, and love, not pressure.
Meet the Board
Samantha Boettcher
President & CEO
Director of Daily Operations
Sarah Palmer
Chairman of the Board
Director of Fundraising
Emily Chavez
Secretary
Bradley Klanderman
Treasurer