Hard won financial lessons are some of the most important things you learn growing up. Young people from all walks of life get caught in financial traps and struggle to support themselves independently when they turn 18. The goal at Idaho Youth Ranch is to provide the young people in our programs with ALL the skills they need transition successfully into adulthood.
One of the first things you’ll notice about Z * is her very shy demeanor, but she hasn’t let that define who she is or what she wants to be: a designer for clothing supergiant, Adidas.
Every year the Idaho Youth Ranch has the honor of awarding scholarships to graduates from our various programs to attend universities, colleges, or vocational/trade schools. Their application essays and interviews are always an inspiration to everyone on the review committee. One of the most rewarding parts of the process is the chance to learn what our IYR alums are up to and how their promising futures are taking shape.
When we opened our new IYR thrift store in Middleton in June 2013, we launched an annual community support program called “Middleton Kids Week.” Every day during the third week in June, the Idaho Youth Ranch Middleton store donates 20% of that day’s sales to a different local youth organization.
One of the key ingredients to a promising future is a sense of belonging and feeling connected to others and valued for what you have to offer. That’s why volunteering, or what we call service learning, is such an important part of treatment at IYR.
There’s a new vehicle parked in the lot at our Boise distribution center, but it doesn’t belong to the Idaho Youth Ranch. You might say we’re “fostering” it here; keeping it safe and sheltered until it’s called into service for some very special children.
Rayanne was barely 16 when her mom’s alcoholism finally got so out of control that she couldn’t take care of her kids or herself. It was a shock to Rayanne, who had no idea her mom was drinking.
Idaho Youth Ranch CEO Steve Woodworth welcomed everyone with opening remarks, reminding the trainees that relationships are the key to change, because none of us succeeds all alone.
Here it is- the Spring 2015 issue of The Maverick newsletter, full of success stories about Idaho kids and families whose lives have changed for the better, thanks to your generous support.
Spring is just around the corner, and spring is a great time to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, between Arco and Carey in Idaho. You'll avoid the heat of summer and you just might catch the season's first wildflowers. Craters of the Moon is the home of many unique native plants, but you won’t have any trouble identifying what’s blooming in those lava fields—because there’s an app for that. The park’s free wildflower app was developed by an Idaho Youth Ranch alumnus.