Blog

Healers

Healers

Across the United States, over 70% of the people who work in the human services and healthcare fields of trauma-informed care are themselves survivors of trauma. These are folks with incredible insight into what it takes for a child to heal. They know, personally, the internal courage and re-learning that is mustered to overcome the damage done through trauma.…

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CARF

CARF

I love writing about the children and staff at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. They are all remarkable people.   It’s important for you to know that none of those stories are possible unless we uphold the very highest standards of care. The kids and people who work here deserve no less.…

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More than a place to be

More than a place to be

From the outside looking in, Scott seemed to have an idyllic life. A surgeon father, a stay-at-home mother, and eight siblings, built-in friends for life. But as he grew older, things quickly changed, and he began lashing out for attention.…

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A Real-life Love Story

A Real-life Love Story

Lee and Bev Radke say their Christian faith inspires them to give. They learned about Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch from good friends and neighbors, Arlene and Gilbert Grienke, and are thrilled to…

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A Brilliant Man with a Heart for Troubled Children

A Brilliant Man with a Heart for Troubled Children

At age 89, Armin Rubbert reads math textbooks and proves mathematical theorems for fun. He also laughs easily; and has a quick mind, a heart for troubled children, and a long family history with the Ranch.…

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A Cranky, Young Man

A Cranky, Young Man

When asked how he got to Dakota Memorial School (DMS), the on-campus school of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Mason set the tone with his ever-present sense of humor. "Well, it's a bit of a story so make sure you have your crumpets and tea."…

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Always leaving

Always leaving

“She likes imagining the characters in the books she reads and thinking about them. She says that it is comforting because she is not worried that they will leave her like people in her life always do.” —Katelyn Hamilton, Ranch Wellness Specialist…

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Not just a girl thing

Not just a girl thing

The medical note reads, “Therapist was notified that Kole said thinking about school makes him want to self-harm. He has been expressing increased urges to self-harm with the stress of school starting. Staff was able to pull him aside and provide a check-in process after Kole made the comments. He denies any recent self-harm.”…

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North Dakota Community Foundation Funds Safety Upgrades at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

North Dakota Community Foundation Funds Safety Upgrades at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) granted $5,000 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to complete safety upgrades on its Bismarck campus, allowing the Ranch to continue providing a safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for children and families. The funds are part of the NDCF’s Statewide Greatest Needs Fund.…

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"A bad kid"

"A bad kid"

Bullying is a soul-stealing, lower than a snake’s belly, painful, demeaning thing to endure. Contrary to some long-debunked sayings, it does not “toughen you up,” “make you stand up for yourself,” or “teach you about the real world.” Rather, it either begets more bullying as the victim looks to find someone weaker and more tender than them, or it results in depression, self-loathing, and suicidal thoughts.…

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And I'm trying

And I'm trying

I was just introduced to a Christian folk song by Jason Gray. It’s called… “Jesus Loves You (And I’m Trying).   The title hooked me.…

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I should have your job

I should have your job

He always walks into my office with complete confidence. He may be only 13 years old. He may be struggling with severe outbursts of anger. He may have several psychiatric diagnoses brought on by severe trauma. His hair may always be a little messy, and more than once I’ve seen him wipe his nose with the back of his forearm.…

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Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Receives $4,000 from Otter Tail Corporation Foundation

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Receives $4,000 from Otter Tail Corporation Foundation

The Otter Tail Corporation Foundation awarded $3,200 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to complete safety upgrades on its Fargo campus.…

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Patrick Berg, Anne Friederichs, Tracy Jordre, and Bill Mobley Join Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Boards of Directors

Patrick Berg, Anne Friederichs, Tracy Jordre, and Bill Mobley Join Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Boards of Directors

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch welcomed four new board members during the August board meetings of its three corporations: Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, and Dakota Family Services.…

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"Primary"

"Primary"

When Gideon came to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, he was, like many children, quiet and withdrawn. It isn’t that way with all children when they arrive, but many spend their early days with us observing and acclimating. It is a new place with new expectations, new people, new food, new guidelines. Gideon was watching and simply figuring things out.…

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Sam’s Club—Bismarck Awards $1,000 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

Sam’s Club—Bismarck Awards $1,000 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

Sam’s Club—Bismarck granted $1,000 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. The granted funds, donated through the Walmart Foundation Spark Good Grants Program, will be used to purchase noise-canceling earplugs for children who struggle with sensory stimulation and emotion regulation.…

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The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League South Dakota District Awards $3,000 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League South Dakota District Awards $3,000 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch will receive a $3,000 mission grant from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League South Dakota District to furnish Hope Chapel, the newly built chapel on the Ranch’s Bismarck campus.…

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Lamentations

Lamentations

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, therefore I will hope in him."…

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Mindimooyenh

Mindimooyenh

My mother-in-law recently passed away. I will miss her. She just had her 95th birthday days before her death, and she was part of my life for over half of that time. She led a hard, yet incredibly grateful life.…

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Understanding Eli

Understanding Eli

Eli is quiet and seems to be listening intently. Then he gets angry and lashes out, just when the person talking with him thinks things are going well. His anger seems unprovoked and unanticipated. Just a second ago he was a very engaged, calm, super cute 12-year-old. Then, in the blink of an eye, he is frustrated, hitting himself, calling himself dumb. Sometimes he strikes out at those around him.…

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Finding a Reason to Live

Finding a Reason to Live

When Maliya came to the Ranch at age 16, she was depressed and suicidal. "My childhood was really challenging," Maliya said. "I didn't really have a grip on reality because I was hallucinating a lot from a medication I was on. As far as my family, my stepdad was very abusive and left an emotional scar on my family."…

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The hug card

The hug card

It’s a “Hug Card.” It looks just like one of those “loyalty cards” you get when you buy 5 sub sandwiches and get a 6th one free. But, it’s for hugs.…

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Walk away

Walk away

Last month, Eden Keefe, the National President of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), and Kay Kreklau, former National President, toured our Bismarck campus. The LWML has been a tremendous support for the children and work of the Ranch. The individual LWML districts support various needs, and the national organization has supported our Deaconesses, as well as the construction of our Chapel in Bismarck. This is an organization truly filled with faith-centered, loving, Christian women.…

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Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Dedicates Hope Chapel, a Space for Hope on its Bismarck Campus

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Dedicates Hope Chapel, a Space for Hope on its Bismarck Campus

On Friday, August 16, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch celebrated the completion of Hope Chapel, a dedicated space for children at the Ranch’s Bismarck campus to receive emotional and spiritual care.…

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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Districts Grant Funds to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Districts Grant Funds to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch will receive funds from the Montana, Iowa West, and Iowa East Districts of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League to complete nutrition center updates on its Fargo campus to better meet the unique needs of the kids in care.…

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