The Founders

Jeannie Hellem-Ramsey  & twin sister Carol Watts founded Eagles' Wings Educational Girls Home in 1997 in Kearneysville, WV. As with all girls, Jeannie & Carol's love for horses  came at an early age. It became a reality when they began careers with horses at the age of 17. They learned the basics of horsemanship and show ring in high school then went on to work with Thoroughbred racehorses at Belmont Race Track in Elmont, NY.

Their years on the racetrack included working for and with the best in the industry up and down the east coast. From Belmont Race Track in NY to Calder Race Course in Florida, these young ladies worked their way up the ladder from hot walker to exercise rider and for Jeannie a short-lived career as  jockey.   

The horses coupled with Jeannie's work at a local children's shelter is where the vision for this vital ministry began. "I saw young people with no avenue to understand God and his love for them due to their circumstances -- I saw their dispair and God graciously cultivated Eagles' Wings as a plan of action." -- Jeannie Hellem-Ramsey   

As of 2004, Jeannie & Chris Ramsey now head up this vital ministry for young girls. Chris had never been around horses until he met Jeannie and within a few short years has learned so much and is an incredible encouragement and example to the girls served. 

Jeannie has her degree in Christian Education from Calvary Bible Institute. She and her husband Chris have been trained in both the Elijah House Prayer Ministry Counseling and Healing the Wounded Heart. Chris Ramsey has many years of training in psychotherapy and as such brings a wealth of understanding and knowledge into the depths of wounded youth. Chris’s fast knowledge of the horse games and the horse language has helped him to draw girls into the fascinating world of “horse whispering” and the equation of “hurt and hope” for horses and people.