Our Story: From Survival to Renewal
About Making A New Way
Making A New Way was born from a simple but powerful realization: Deep healing doesn’t always happen in traditional environments.
Founder Yevette Harrell spent over two decades in the fast-paced world of nursing. While she was an expert at treating the physical body, her five years as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) opened her eyes to a different kind of wound—the invisible trauma carried by children in the foster care system.
She saw children who had been labeled “difficult” or “unreachable” simply because their nervous systems were stuck in survival mode. She knew they didn’t need more labels; they needed a new way to connect, a new way to feel safe, and a new way to grow.
In 2018, she brought her medical expertise and her passion for advocacy to the quiet pastures of Holly Hill Farm, and Making A New Way was born.
Our Philosophy: The Science of Connection
We don’t just “play with horses.”. We practice Trauma-Informed Mentorship.
Using the Stable Moments Model and the principles of TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention), we focus on three core pillars:
- Felt Safety: Before a child can learn, they must feel safe. The farm environment provides a sensory-rich, low-pressure space where children can breathe and be themselves.
- Regulatory Partners: Horses are masters of emotional regulation. By learning to calm a 1,000-pound animal, a child learns how to calm their own internal “storm.”
Healing through Relationship: We believe that trauma happens in relationships, and it must be healed in relationships. Our 1-on-1 mentor model ensures every child has a consistent, caring adult in their corner.
Our Home: Holly Hill Farm
Located in the heart of Benton, Louisiana, Holly Hill Farm is more than just a facility—it is a sanctuary. It is a place where the air is quiet, the animals are kind, and the “hard places” of the outside world feel a little further away.
Whether it’s the rhythmic sound of a horse grooming or the satisfaction of finishing a farm chore, every moment here is designed to build self-worth and resilience.
Our Leadership
Yevette Harrell
RN, MSN TBRI-P, ESMHL
Natural Lifemanship Trained
Yevette’s unique blend of high-level clinical experience and specialized trauma training ensures that Making A New Way operates with the highest standards of care. She is a lifelong learner dedicated to bringing the best therapeutic models to the children of Northwest Louisiana.
Our Mission in Motion
“To provide a path toward healing for children from hard places through the power of equine-assisted mentorship.”
We invite you to be part of this story. Whether you are a parent looking for hope, a volunteer looking for purpose, or a donor looking to make a difference, there is a place for you here.
