In a book I'm reading, the author talks about God-inspired interruptions, which reminded me of a recent moment of inspiration outside my office at the Ranch. My office is situated across the hall from Shayla Leinen, Principal of Dakota Memorial School on the Fargo campus. Throughout the school day, kids come to Shayla's office, sometimes with an emergency or a behavioral issue, and sometimes just to say hello. Shayla is amazing with our kids; she truly cares about each one of them.…
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The sermon at my church recently was about the phrase in the Bible, "Come and see." The point of the sermon was that the phrase was only used when "see" really meant "know." "Come and look," according to the speaker's study of the Bible, meant "Come and draw your own conclusions." But "see," was used when the conclusion was not up for debate. For instance, in John 11:34 in response to Jesus asking to see Lazarus as he lay, unarguably, dead.…
Verendrye Electric Cooperative awarded $1,850 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to upgrade the security on its Minot campus.…
Sierra, a 16-year-old on our Minot campus, recently shared her story. While she talked about her childhood as one of abuse, abandonment, and rejection, she focused on joy and Jesus.…
Ariel is at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch for the second time. Her first time at the Ranch was as a resident, and now she is back as an employee, working with kids who struggle with many of the same challenges as she did.…
Monte Selby, an educator, singer, and Grammy-award winning songwriter, connects with students on a personal level, engages them in authentic musical experiences, and inspires them to pursue their own artistic expression.…
"I grew up looking at the south end of a draft horse," said Iowa native, Gilbert Grienke. "I was driving a team of horses behind farm equipment when I was hardly old enough to walk. You love every horse you've ever driven." Horses are what attracted Gilbert to the Ranch. "You use horses to calm the kids and that was something I hadn't seen before. There is something about horses—their honest, forgiving, and calming demeanor somehow helped raise this old man and keep him out of trouble. They are wonderful around kids."…
When I was a teenager, going to the grocery store with my dad was so painful! Going with Mom was great. My mom was an excellent cook. We lived on a farm, raised all kinds of vegetables and fruits. Had our own chickens. Bought eggs from a neighbor. Now all that is cool, but then it was necessary. Still, we went to the grocery store for all the fill-ins. She taught me about different spices, oils, and the difference between baking soda and baking powder, while we went up and down the aisles at Hugo's, the local store. Best of all, Mom was a shy and reserved woman, not one to draw attention to herself... so shopping with her was just her and me.…
Mother and daughter, Cassandra and Samantha, are grateful for the help they received at the Ranch. "Not everyone comes out successfully, but most do, and they're very grateful for the help they get."…
After enduring years of trauma and struggles with her mental health, Dionna came to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch ready and determined to make changes and become her best self.…
A life of chaos and upheaval brought Brooklynn to the Ranch, but once there, she found love and acceptance, and hope for her future.…
Aaron's story has led him all over, but he believes he wouldn't have found success without the intervention of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. The Ranch changed the trajectory of his life.…
Graduation is a big deal at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, so our dedicated teachers and staff work hard to ensure kids succeed in school and in life.…
Children should have wonderful imaginations and see great possibilities. For many years, my son was committed to the idea that his life's work was to invent a flying car ala' the Jetsons. He saw his future as allowing him to pursue his dream, whatever it may be. And, to a large extent, he was right. Although his dream changed and he now is delightfully happy working in the culinary arts, he continues to develop greatly imaginative recipes.…
Great River Energy awarded $1,000 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to purchase equipment and sensory items for the sensory room on its Bismarck campus.…
It is really important in an organization like Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch that every single person… no matter their role or position, know why we are here and why we do what we do. Our ability to meet our mission, “to help at-risk children and their families succeed in the name of Christ,” hinges on each person’s ability to understand how what they do impacts the kids. Whether direct service or working in our thrift stores, providing therapy or patching holes in the walls, every person makes it just a little more possible for these amazing kids to heal.…
Nursing is an integral part of the care Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch provides to children in residential treatment, and Ranch nurses wear many hats.…
I sat in my office the day after Easter and reflected on the quietness of the moment. Usually, the hall outside my office is anything but quiet, as students head towards music class or stop to visit with our principal whose office is just across from mine. I thought about all the boys and girls who have walked down that hall. All the stuff each child carries with them—trauma, heartbreak, and thoughts of not being loved. That is a lot for a child to carry.…
The Sunday after Easter, the scripture readings in church were all about Thomas, who for all time, has been dubbed "Doubting Thomas." Poor guy. I don't think it is fair that he gets labeled for doing what nearly all of us would have done in the same circumstances!…
Sam’s Club—Fargo granted $500 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to underwrite the cost of AED Trainers, which will be used during the mandatory CPR training courses on our Fargo campus. The granted funds from Sam’s Club were donated through Sam’s Club’s Community Grant Program.…
Earlier this year, Dakota Family Services, the arm of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch family that provides outpatient mental health counseling, hosted "The Light Experience." With Dakota Medical Foundation's support, the virtual event gave teenagers a safe space to talk about mental health, learn, and ask questions. Small breakout sessions were offered on depression, self-care, anxiety, suicide, and ADHD. The youth had a chance to learn about mental health and how to ask for help. Over 100 teens "ZOOMED" into the event.…
Marie Frye, a volunteer at the Minot Thrift Store, believes in the mission of the Ranch and is grateful to have an impact on the care our kids receive.…
Three staff members at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch recently became certified Mental Health First Aid instructors. During the multi-day interactive training, candidates learned how to teach the course with fidelity to a range of diverse audiences and learning styles. The Ranch’s newest certified trainers are Dr. Megan Spencer, Clinical Psychologist; John Campbell, Coordinator of Student Services; and Tom Kopp, Director of Residential Services.…
Tim Gienger, Clinical Director at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award recently for the extraordinary support he provides his employee Kyle Schmidt, Captain, North Dakota Army National Guard.…
Pizza everywhere! As I walked into the building that houses the living areas for the children on one of our campuses, all I could smell was pizza. You know, the sauce, pepperoni, ham, sausage, crust. I'm not sure you actually "smell" the cheese, but when you smell pizza, you know it's pizza. I walked into the staff room and there were enough pizza boxes to feed Hannibal's army.…