Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation
A Dry and Bright Future Thanks to You! The pitter-patter of spring rains no longer means buckets and trouble at YBGR’s Uihlein Recreation Center, thanks to YOU, our amazing supporters! The new roof is on, and the sounds of rain are now a soothing melody, not a call to action for buckets. The kids can now play, grow, and thrive, rain or shine, in a safe and dry environment. It’s more than a roof; it’s the shelter of hope, made possible by the generosity of our community. A heartfelt thanks to the Dean & Connie Studer Donor Advised Fund, Alice Lee Lund Charitable Trust, Sigma DG Corporation, Gertrude Kamps Memorial Foundation, Darlene & Marvin Hartze, First Interstate Bank, and Phillips 66 for leading the charge!
Join these incredible supporters in building a brighter future for our youth. Every act of kindness creates a ripple of change!
Emma was 17 when she began receiving services from YBGR’s Supported Employment Program (SEP). Her counselor, Chris Cutright, helped her create a resume, provided interview tips, and assisted her in getting a job interview with a local sporting goods store. Much to Emma’s delight, she was hired and worked her way up to a manager. Just recently, Emma’s dad and step-mom, with whom she had been living, moved out of state. Her mom was in town but was not healthy enough to be in Emma’s life. With the high cost of rent, Emma struggled to find a place to live and was staying with friends.
Now, thanks to the new SEP Housing Fund, courtesy of generous donors, Emma has her own apartment. The fund assists with the deposit and rent with the rental assistance stepping down over a year period. SEP Director Liz Campoy reports, “I cannot put into words the look on Emma’s face when she was handed the keys to her new apartment. She is incredibly grateful to the donors who have helped her on her way to financial independence.” Emma is now 19, still working as a manager at the same sporting goods store, makes and sells her own jewelry, and is a talented photographer. Way to go, Emma!!
*For the privacy of the youth served at the Ranch, names have been changed. Image(s) shown here are a representation of those served at the Ranch.
According to Center Director Lisa Frazier, the Outlaws really enjoyed their time with the kids, and some even talked about their own struggles with mental health. Several of the youth where then able to attend an Outlaws game later in the week.
There’s something truly therapeutic about gardening.
Together, let’s build a brighter future!
Gary will be putting thousands of miles on the truck delivering heifers and picking up calves for the Homes for Heifers program.
Your support drives our success!
Warm hearts and hands at work! Huge thanks to the Lutheran Love Room Quilters-Serenity, Taizah, and Sandra from Scobey, MT – for delivering seven bags of cozy quilts to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch for youth in the residential treatment program.
Yellowstone Foundation staffer Kristi Farver Oaks then took the young ladies and their advisor Connie Wittak on a tour of the Ranch. Join us in celebrating their kindness!
Despite ups and downs, the coaches saw incredible transformations like one of the players who faced a moment of doubt after a few missed points. But instead of subbing her out as she requested, they encouraged her to stay in the game. And guess what? She stepped up and delivered the game-winning ace!
Like many youth in YBGR’s residential treatment program, Leah had a chaotic upbringing. Her parents struggled with addiction and were in and out of jail. She was bounced from her parents to her grandparents to foster care and back again so many times, she lost count of all the different places she had lived. When Leah was fourteen, she started getting into trouble. Her grandparents hired an attorney and were finally able to get full custody of her, but Leah continued to get into trouble, plagued by feelings of hopelessness and abandonment. She was going to therapy, but her grandparents felt like she needed more than an hour a week and sought services at YBGR.
Soon after arriving at the Ranch, Leah volunteered for the work crews. She preferred being outside and using her hands to being in the lodge. Her first day working for Ranch staff Gary and Ally with the cows was life-changing for Leah. She fell in love with caring for the animals and tackled every task enthusiastically. Her grandparents loved hearing about her day, especially on the days she worked with the cows because she was always so happy. As she worked through her treatment, her grandparents went to work at home learning about 4-H and getting Leah enrolled in the local club so that she could continue to learn and do the work that she loved. Leah is now back at home and has a great group of friends who share her passion for farm work and help her stay out of trouble. Most importantly, Leah no longer feels hopeless and knows that she is loved.
*For the privacy of the youth served at the Ranch, names have been changed. Image(s) shown here are a representation of those served at the Ranch.
EIN# 81-0419905
Gifts to Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch Foundation are deductible for income tax purposes within IRS regulations.
