Becoming better
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Most of us work to make ourselves “better” in some way. Humans seem to have some level of desire for self-improvement, either small or large. We all, including you and I, have an innate desire to be taking steps towards our future.
Many of the children at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch have not had the opportunity to be future-focused. They have been in survival mode; future plans seemed pointless. As they heal, they begin to recognize that they can make decisions for their future, decisions THEY choose.
They’re new to this, so we start gently.
One week, small posters created by our students adorned the halls of Dakota Memorial School. Each poster had a list of “Chosen Healthy Habits” that the child wanted everyone to know they were working on.
Ernie’s poster listed:
- Go outside more
- Clean my room each day
- Get more than eight hours of sleep
- Be more reasonable with others
Tory’s poster listed:
- Stretch
- Celebrate progress, not perfection
- Smile
- Say No!
- Give compliments
Such brave choices on the path to their future.
Teaching children about their choices is a big step in “helping at-risk children and their families succeed in the name of Christ.”
Sometimes that success comes from getting more than eight hours of sleep.
Please keep the children and staff of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in your prayers.
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