More Than 70 Years of Hope, Healing, and Transformation
For more than 70 years, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch has walked alongside children and teens who have faced trauma, mental health struggles, and educational challenges. We provide Christ-centered care, psychiatric treatment, specialized education, and community support, helping young people heal, learn, and discover their God-given potential.
The Heart of the Ranch
Our Mission
At the heart of everything we do is our mission: to help at-risk children and their families succeed in the name of Christ. We provide care, education, and support with compassion, patience, and a belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive.
Our Vision
We dream of a world where every child and family can achieve more than they ever thought possible. Our vision is to create opportunities, inspire confidence, and guide children toward lives full of hope, growth, and success.
Our Culture
Our culture is built on purpose, caring, and learning. We celebrate curiosity, teamwork, and kindness. At the Ranch, staff and volunteers work together, share ideas, and support one another to create a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for the children we serve.
Why Families Trust Us
Choosing help for your child is not easy. Families come to the Ranch because we provide:
- Care that treats the whole child, not just symptoms
- Therapy and care by experts in trauma and healing
- Personalized education for students with complex learning needs due to psychiatric, behavioral, and trauma-related challenges.
- A Christ-centered approach rooted in dignity, compassion, and purpose
- A track record of over seven decades serving North Dakota children and their families
Our Work at the Ranch
We are a North Dakota-based nonprofit serving children and their families through a holistic model of care. That means we look at every aspect of a young person’s well-being: emotional, physical, educational, relational, and spiritual. Our work includes:
Residential
Treatment
A safe, structured space where kids ages 10 to 17 receive expert psychiatric care, therapy, and support as they heal from trauma and mental health challenges.
Personalized
Education
Specialized, accredited education for kids who need extra support to learn and thrive in school.
Thrift Stores
That Give Back
Affordable shopping that fuels our mission. Every donation and every purchase helps change a child’s story.
Support and
Partnerships
From volunteers and donors to church partners and community leaders, our work is powered by people who care.
Rooted in Faith, Proven by Results
We believe in the importance of both spirituality and science in the treatment of mental illness. Studies show that childhood trauma has pervasive, long lasting negative effects on physical and emotional well-being. Our clinical, direct care, and education staff incorporate trauma-informed approaches to treatment and education. At the same time, our medical and spiritual life staff provide for the physical and spiritual needs of our children. Thanks to our multi-disciplinary approach, hundreds of kids each year rediscover hope, confidence, and the courage to take the next step in their journey.
Our programs are licensed, accredited, and recognized for their quality and impact. But more than that, they’re remembered in the smiles of children who once thought healing wasn’t possible.
Accreditation & Licensing
Our programs and schools are nationally accredited and licensed by the state of North Dakota. These credentials ensure kids receive safe, high-quality care.
Expert Staff
Licensed therapists, psychologists, nurses, educators, and direct care staff are trained to provide trauma-informed care that helps kids feel safe and understood.
Christ-Centered Care
Our Spiritual Life Program, which includes Chapel, Spiritual Life groups, and individual spiritual mentoring, contributes to the healing of our children.
Evidence-Based Care
Professional staff at the Ranch use evidence-based and best-practice treatment and education approaches to meet the unique needs of each child.
Get in Touch
Do you have questions about residential treatment, outpatient therapy, education, Ranch thrift stores, or donating to the Ranch?
Contact us today: Call 701-852-3628 or complete the contact form.