In a world where the challenges facing today’s youth seem to multiply by the day, every initiative aimed at providing support and solace becomes a beacon of hope. In 2023, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch took a significant stride forward in their mission to aid troubled youth with the re-opening of Fortin East Lodge.
This decision came as a response to a stark reality: the number of youth seeking help had continued to surge, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by more than double. Despite this surge, many found themselves unable to access the crucial treatment offered by YBGR. This predicament weighed heavily on the hearts of the staff, who were driven by a shared determination to extend their reach and serve more young individuals in need.
“We knew we had to do something to increase our capacity and serve more youth. We needed to open another lodge, and we needed the staff to do it. We got to work with our partners at LinkedIn and Indeed and saw applications pour in,” explained HR Recruiter Jake Mullings.
Their collective efforts paid off, and on December 15th, Fortin East Lodge re-opened, providing sanctuary to ten more youth in crisis. For many parents and guardians, this was a lifeline, sparing them the anguish of seeking treatment out of state.
“We had so many happy parents and guardians who were able to get their child into a facility close to home and not have to look out of state where they might not be able to visit,” shared Admissions Coordinator Eric Spelhaug.
The opening of Fortin East Lodge stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of YBGR and its partners to the well-being of young individuals facing adversity. With every extended hand, they offer a glimmer of hope to those navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there are beacons of light guiding the way forward.
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New to YBGR, Equilateral Therapy is an approach that combines EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with Equine Therapy. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy practice that helps kids process trauma and reduces Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR focuses on directly altering emotions, thoughts, beliefs and physical sensations that occurred at the time of a disturbing or traumatic experience. During EMDR therapy, eye movements through lights or finger movements and other forms of rhythmic, left-right (bilateral or dual-attention) stimulation (tones, taps, etc.) are used while the youth briefly focus on the trauma memory. The vivid images and emotions of the memory are processed to help change the way the memory is stored in the brain, reducing the frequency and intensity of problematic symptoms.
Adding horses to EMDR sessions offers additional benefits. Horses can sense emotional changes in people and their behavior reflects that awareness, serving as a mirror for the patient and allowing them to see themselves and their reactions to the memory more clearly. Horses can act as a method of bilateral or dual-attention stimuli, with the ability of youth to walk them around, observe them moving back and forth, brushing them, or other similar interventions. Horses can also help ground the youth in the here and now when they are at risk of going too deeply into a memory. Tactile contact with the animal is reassuring and comforting, creating a safe space to process trauma.
Beth needed a fresh start. Her parents died when she was a toddler, and she had bounced from family to foster homes and back again. Beth had never dealt with her trauma from her parent’s death, and that made it hard to form connections with people. She started to believe that everyone was always going to leave her because she was unworthy of love. Things started to change when she moved back in with her aunt Donna.
Ryan struggled to express himself. Words did not come easily, and he often felt misunderstood. When he arrived at YBGR, he didn’t think it was going to be any different than any other facility he had been to, but that all started to change when he met Yellowstone Academy Art teacher Mr. Small.
Jordan’s family struggled to make ends meet and often did not have reliable transportation. “I wanted to learn how to fix cars so I could help my family. We couldn’t afford a new car or to pay for a mechanic when things broke down. My mom and I were able to do some things from internet videos, but that didn’t always work,” recalls Jordan. “When I learned that we would have a chance to learn how to work on cars at the Ranch through the Basic Automotive Care & Maintenance Class, I jumped at the opportunity. Tim Gilge, the instructor, taught me not just about how to fix a car, but also how to stay safe while doing it, and how to maintain the car so it needed less work down the road.”
When Amanda arrived at Kohls with her lodge mates last week for YBGR’s annual Secret Santa shopping trip, she was overwhelmed. She had never gone shopping at a store where the clothes were new. Everything she owned was a hand-me-down or from a garage sale or Goodwill. It all felt too good to be true. Why would some stranger want her to have money to spend on herself for new clothes and shoes?
Getting your first job is a rite of passage, and for most youth, it is accomplished with relatively little difficulty. But for some, getting a job can be an ordeal. When Melissa turned fifteen, she wanted to get a job and start earning her own money. Her family didn’t have a lot, and she wanted to contribute and start saving as well. When she talked with prospective employers, however, she struggled to sit still and have a conversation and was having difficulty getting hired. Through school, she was referred to YBGR’s Supported Employment Program (SEP) and started meeting with Erica Kern, an SEP Specialist. Together, they worked on the skills and tools she needed to find employment. After a few weeks, Erica noticed that Melissa was able to have great conversations, as long as she had a task to focus on. Erica reached out to a few potential employers and was able to arrange a working interview for Melissa at a local stable. “It was so great! I was able to groom the horse while they asked me questions. Brushing the horse took all the nerves away, and I was able to get the job because I could calm my mind and body with work. I am so excited to have a job now! And I get to work with the horses each day,” says a grateful Melissa.
