A few years ago, Jason Slaughter gathered with board members, friends and family, supporters and more to take a ceremonial shovel and begin the first steps of a project to help children without have something better in their lives as they grow up.

It hasn’t been an easy road, but the initial developments made on the property – from putting up fences, creating gravel roads and adding livestock to the future boy’s ranch – Safe Haven has slowly transformed from that day to this past Sunday.

Slaughter gathered together the faithful once again to take another ceremonial shovel full of dirt from the soil, this time marking another milestone: Safe Haven Ranch is about to get its first residence.

SUBSCRIBER VIDEO: Safe Haven Ranch celebrates start of first home for boys

After getting the go-ahead in a split vote to rezone as a Planned Residential Development for the acreage earlier this year, the funding and planning have come together for the start of the first phase of development on the property. A plan to build a small group of houses around a community center-style facility in the middle for classroom and recreation space will be followed up in the future with a second set of homes.

The goal is to attract those like Director James Blankenship and his wife Tabitha to open their arms and hearts to youth in need of foster families. They operate the Children’s Home currently as house parents for Community Share Ministries in Cedartown.

They’ll take over one of the homes when construction is completed, and be able to house upward of five boys who have parents who are unable or unwilling to provide the love and care they need through their childhood years. The placements are private-based, and so far the development has all been completed through donations to Safe Haven Ranch.

GALLERY: Safe Haven Ranch moving forward with youth homes

Tabitha said her heart melts constantly during conversations with those children she’s already helping as a House Parent.

“A wise woman once told me that it doesn’t matter if you have a child for six hours, six days, six weeks years or months, you have an opportunity to make a difference. Why would we not do that?” she said.

Slaughter, who started Community Share Ministries, said his prayers have been answered time and again through the process of development.

“The only thing I can say is that today is that in my heart from the lord: vision given, and promise kept,” he said during Sunday’s ceremony.

After Safe Haven gets full development underway, Slaughter said he’s already been given the mission to move forward with a version of the project for girls.

Those interested in Safe Haven Ranch can make contributions via their website. Visit their Facebook page to keep up to date on the project.