Blog

WORK WORKS! is the cover story in the Summer edition of the Wrangler Newsletter.  

Since 2015, the YBGR Individual Placement and Supported Employment Program (IPS) has help find meaningful employment for at-risk youth like Daniel.  A 2020 graduate of Yellowstone Academy, Daniel worked with a YBGR Employment Specialist to find a suitable job.  His first placement was not successful.  But Daniel’s dreams of employment did not end there.  

Take a moment to read Daniel’s story and learn how IPS empowers youth to live healthy, productive lives through employment.

Like what we do?  Share the Wrangler’s inspiring stories with family and friends.  And remember, your tax-deductible gifts make it all possible!

The beekeeping program at YBGR is buzzing.  Begun in 2017, YBGR youth learn all aspects of beekeeping by caring for the Ranch’s hives, extracting honey to sell, and learning about the essential role pollinators play on the Ranch and in our world.  Thanks to a generous donor, YBGR bees will be getting a hive upgrade soon.  Stay tuned!

RDO Equipment Co. and the Offutt Family Foundation generously made a grant to YBGR for the SMART Room Expansion Project. SMART Room technologies, such as interactive whiteboards, engage students’ audio and visual senses and help them break out of their shells and build communication skills.  Digital classroom technologies available to Yellowstone Academy students and youth enrolled in Community Based Services programs help teachers address special needs and develop student abilities and performance.

Pictured:  Kim Chouinard of YBGR/CBS accepts check from John Hurd of RDO

Government encourages charitable giving and Uncle Sam will actually pick up a portion of every gift given to Yellowstone by providing you with a CHARITABLE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION.

Take advantage of the Universal Charitable Deduction which Congress has extended for tax year 2021. This CARES ACT charitable provision is a special tax deduction up to $300 for cash gifts to charity this year even if you do not itemize on your tax returns. For itemizers, the increased deduction cap to 100% of donor’s annual income for cash gifts has also been extended through 2021.

Uncle Sam thanks you . . . for giving generously!

A generous donor and Ebay seller has set up an Ebay For Charity site benefiting Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation. Ten percent of sales from this site will come to Yellowstone through our PayPal Giving fund.

Browse through over 1200 items including trading cards, comic books, music memorabilia, and much more. If you find a tchotchke you can’t live without, treat yourself and Yellowstone too!

During the first of week of June, YBGR youth and staff participated in a campus-wide spring cleaning day. 

Kids helped pick up around the school and their lodges.  They raked leaves, pulled weeds, and helped mulch their newly planted flowers. 

Staff power-washed lodges, cleaned up landscaping, and painted the exteriors of several buildings, including the Guest House. 

A festive picnic lunch was served up in each youth lodge and for the staff in the dining hall.

Thanks to all for your hard work!

Cooper is a 7-week old male Golden Retriever who came to live at YBGR this April.  Cooper is in training to become a Therapy Dog.

Cooper will join Emmy Lou, a 7-year old female Golden Retriever, who is the Ranch’s current certified therapy dog through the Delta Society and Pet Partners. 

There are many benefits to Pet Therapy for both the mental and physical health of YBGR youth, including; providing comfort, lowering anxiety, creating play activity, and offering unconditional love.

It takes a special dog to be a Therapy Dog at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and we look forward to young Cooper growing up to join our team.