When Nina came to YBGR in early spring of 2024, she was a tough nut to crack. According to her therapist Audrey, “She wouldn’t open up and talk to me so that we could start the healing process. Then, during a conversation with Nina’s mom, I learned that if Nina had a project to do with her hands, she would open up more. We looked online for some ideas, and Nina wanted a vertical pallet herb garden, so I found a pallet, and we got to work.”
Through the process of sanding the rough pallet, Nina finally started to open up to Audrey. It took several weeks of hand sanding to get all the rough spots smoothed out, and by July, they were ready to paint the pallet and plant the herb seedlings that they had started from seeds. Now the Leuthold herb garden is proudly on display at the lodge, and soon the youth will be able to harvest fresh herbs to add to their meals. Nina is now working towards successfully discharging and looking forward to going home.
“I think in some ways I was like that pallet, a little rough and limited. Once I started talking to Audrey and processing my pain, my rough edges started smoothing out, and I am seeing that I have a whole world of opportunities.”
*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.
