Current Needs

Samantha* struggled in school. Her body seemed to have a mind of its own, often resulting in very exaggerated gestures. She didn’t have any friends because she was the “weird kid” who often felt too big, and sometimes too small, for her own body.

Thanks to a referral from the school counselor, Samantha started working with Tammy, a YBGR therapist in her school trained in Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Therapy (SMART). Using SMART modalities and equipment, Samantha quickly learned that she needed help to regulate her body and keep herself in the “window of regulation,” a window on the first floor of her metaphorical house.

When Samantha was feeling out of control and her body was making big gestures, she was shooting into the attic of her house. Using a body sock or a weighted blanket helped to bring her down. After she was back on the first floor, she was able reflect with Tammy and examine what triggered her to feel things in that big way. Together, Samantha and Tammy also examined the things that made her feel down and small, things that put her in the basement of her house. Using fidget spinners and other sensory objects helped Samantha to relax and share feelings and emotions more openly.

After several months of working with Tammy, Samantha is better able to regulate herself and relies less on outside tools. Samantha is now doing better in school, has joined the soccer team, and has made friends.  She still has her moments, but she is better able to work through them and ask for help when she needs it. Sometimes, it’s a big hug and sometimes, it’s some space.

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*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.

Read More Youth Stories from YBGR

Blake came to YBGR very insecure and was often picked on by his peers. He struggled to focus on his own treatment because he was so concerned with what others were thinking of him. Blake spoke openly with his therapist about how hard working on his treatment was when he felt like, everywhere he goes, nobody likes him and how he doesn’t feel “chosen” by anyone… ever.

At the recommendation of his therapist, Blake went to Equine Therapy (ET) one day, even though he had no idea what it was. As Mackenzie, the Equine Specialist, introduced him to the horses, he noticed a much smaller horse in a pen with one other horse.  They were separated from the rest herd. He asked if he could meet her and so they went in the pen with Presley, the 9-month-old filly, and Sophie Sue, one of the YBGR mares. Mackenzie explained that Presley was new and not used to people yet, and as they talked, Presley walked up to Blake and waited for him to scratch her.  He later shared with Mackenzie that, in that moment, for the first time, Blake felt “chosen.”

Equine therapy continues to help Blake with his confidence and has been an integral part in him making progress with his treatment.

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*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.

When Chris arrived at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, he literally had nothing but the clothes on his back. Chris is an Alaska Native youth that had been bounced around the foster care system his entire life.  Because of his mental health struggles, he was never able to find a forever home. “I felt so unloved and unwanted.  Everything I ever got was second hand.  I was an afterthought and that only made my struggles worse. I didn’t have anything that was just mine and that wouldn’t just go away when I was moved on to another place,” recalls Chris.

“That all changed within hours of arriving at YBGR.  During my admission, I was given a handmade quilt, my first ever new piece of bedding that was mine. Then my Program Manager got my sizes, and we went online.  She ordered me a bunch of new clothes, a pair of shoes, and boots since it was winter. I had never been clothes shopping before, just watched others.  She went and picked it all up later that day at the store and told me that I get to keep it all. I cried that night.  I could not believe that someone gave money to the Ranch just so I could have something all my own to wear. There is something different about this place.  I now feel that I have worth and that is helping me to heal.”

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*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.

Sara had never played a team sport before she arrived at YBGR.  She was tall and uncoordinated and was always the last one picked for a team during gym class.

“I wasn’t going to try out for the volleyball team, but several of the other girls asked me to so I went along just to see.  It was better than hanging in the lodge.  I thought I would just kill some time until I got cut from the team,” says Sara. “I didn’t get cut, and I still don’t understand why exactly. I am not good at serving, and my teammates still have to tell me where to stand, but I am learning and getting better.”  At the annual Mustang Invitational Volleyball Tournament held in early March, Sara got quite a bit of playing time.

Jill was volunteering as a line judge at the tournament.  “When Sara subbed into the game, she looked a little lost.  Her teammates had to direct her to where she needed to go,” recounts Jill.  “The first time Sara returned a serve, the entire YBGR crowd absolutely erupted.  You would have thought she spiked one in front of the ten foot line to win the championship game instead of a simple bump.  This continued for the entire game.  The crowd cheered for the entire YBGR team, but there was always a little something extra for Sara.”

Later, Jill mentioned this to Lisa Frazier, the head volleyball coach, and she learned that not only had Sara never played a competitive team sport before, but she is also on the Autism spectrum.  “All the youth at YBGR have dealt with so much in their young lives, so it is especially heartwarming to see players cheer each other on and also the YBGR youth in the crowd getting behind the players as well,” says Jill.

The YBGR Mustang volleyball team placed 3^rd in the tournament, the first time in the 25-year history of the tournament that the Mustangs have won a trophy!

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*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.

 

Last fall, YBGR had a readmission of a youth named Heidi*. She had discharged a couple months prior from the residential treatment program, and things had deteriorated quickly after she went home. She seemed embarrassed to be back and said she felt like a failure. At YoungLife Club, held every other week in the Chapel, Chaplain John Boeder could tell that she was feeling pain and frustration and asked if he could pray for her.  She said, “Yes.” After talking a little more, she asked, “Could you stop by the lodge sometime? I would really like to talk to you about Jesus. I have some questions.” John told her he would schedule a time soon. As Heidi left for lunch, John began reading through the prayer requests that the kids had filled out, and there was a note from Heidi saying, “Don’t forget to stop by the lodge. 😊 – Heidi”.

It made his heart smile knowing that sometimes it isn’t always adults pursuing relationships with the kids. Some of these kids are doing everything they can to reach out and build positive relationships that will ultimately help them achieve their treatment goals.  Heidi and John have had several discussions about Jesus and her growing faith which helped her build confidence and coping skills.  Heidi has now discharged from YBGR and is attending her first semester of college, majoring in social services.  She hopes her life experiences can help her better serve other kids who face many of those same challenges.

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*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.

Jessica* came to YBGR recently, struggling to reconcile bad experiences in her life.  She is very direct, says it like it is, and wants to get to the bottom of things. Soon after arriving, Jessica was convinced by a peer in her lodge to attend YoungLife Camp which is held on the YBGR campus twice a year.

The first night was lots of fun, and she started becoming comfortable very quickly. She hadn’t been in a church for a long time, and after the second night’s message, she sought out Chaplain John Boeder and said she needed to talk. He stopped by her lodge later that night, and she talked to him about her entire life story, her struggles, and ended by asking, “Is this all my fault, and why would God still love me and forgive me?”

Her whole life, she had been led to believe that God was some sort of angry parent waiting for her to mess up and punish her, but what she heard throughout the camp were messages of God’s love, grace, and acceptance. They prayed together, and she said she felt much better and that a relationship with Jesus is exactly what she needed right now. Jessica is currently attending every Chapel service, asking questions, and goes to YoungLife Club every other Wednesday.

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*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.

 

Jon* came to YBGR with a philosophy of “the less of Christianity, the better.” Jon had no interest in YoungLife Club, Chapel, or any of the Spiritual Life activities we offer based on his past experiences with religion. As far as he could tell, going to church seemed to have no effect on changing his circumstances. Over the summer, though, Jon began showing up to YoungLife Club on Wednesdays because a peer had convinced him it was fun.

After Summer YoungLife Camp, the questions began: “Who is Jesus?”, “Why does God love us?”, and “Am I going to hell for…?” A spark had been lit. Fast forward to Winter YoungLife Camp, and Jon participated in every aspect, convinced other peers to attend, and prayed every night for his peers, the Ranch, and most importantly, his mother. Jon accepted Jesus into his heart, and while his outside circumstances have not yet changed, there was a peace and acceptance that has begun a change from within.

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*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.