The Kiwanis Club of Fargo granted $3,500 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to stabilize the IT network on the Ranch’s Fargo campus. The upgrade will support the increased load on the network created by COVID-related distance education and telehealth.
In Spring 2020, Ranch residents connected to the Ranch network for distance learning classes, homework, and special education meetings. The school used a broad range of platforms because of the individualized education necessary for each child. While Ranch kids are currently attending school in-person, the need for distance learning could arise again at any time.
In addition to the load on our switches from the school, the Ranch provided some individual therapy and all family therapy via telehealth. While restrictions are now less intense, some families are still connecting via video calls, adding to the network load.
The Ranch provides a safe and secure home, school, and treatment environment for children ages 12-18. The children who come to the Ranch have survived abuse, neglect, and trauma so severe as to create maladaptive coping mechanisms and psychiatric illnesses. Our compassionate, caring, purpose-oriented professionals provide progressive trauma-informed treatment and trauma-sensitive education, helping these amazing children find hope and true healing.
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christ-centered residential treatment and educational center for children and their families. We help the most troubled, complicated and amazing kids by providing best-in-class psychiatric therapy and trauma-informed care, where we look kids in the eye, walk with them, and help them become their best selves. In addition to Residential Treatment Facilities in Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot, the Ranch provides Outpatient Psychiatric and Psychological Services, and Spiritual Life Programs. Our on-campus school, Dakota Memorial School (DMS), provides a personalized education for kids who have psychiatric, behavioral and trauma issues.
The Kiwanis Club of Fargo is a forward-thinking, service-driven organization. The Kiwanis Club of Fargo is part of Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Members of the Kiwanis family stage nearly 150,000 service projects, complete 6 million hours of service, and raise nearly $100 million each year for community projects.