Volunteer Spotlight: Jeannie

Fun Fact: “My passion is dogs, I have 7 dogs who all started out as foster dogs.”

Jeannie has served with Idaho Youth Ranch since 1983 and has contributed to the growth and expansion of the organization in many ways throughout her years. Born and raised in Nampa, Idaho she attended the University of Idaho and has lived in Eugene, Oregon for some time.

In 1983 Jeannie came to Idaho Youth Ranch asking if the Ranch wanted a license adoption program. With the help of her friend Marilyn Howard- they both proposed the idea which came into place in February 1983 helping Idaho Youth Ranch provide an adoption agency from 1983-2010. Jeannie managed the adoption services program after her years of experience working with the adoption unit for the Health and Welfare.

“In those 20 years a lot of progress was made” from providing family services, counseling services, and adoptions services to the first thrift store in 1990 Jeannie recalls “I have so many experiences with the Youth Ranch, hard ones and happy ones.”

“The Youth Ranch is always evolving into what’s effective and what helps kids. Volunteering enriches your life- just find something that you enjoy.”

Jeannie currently now helps with dog adoptions and helps socialize foster dogs for adoption.

Jeannie’s favorite memories serving with the Idaho Youth Ranch has been “when I got to see birth mothers and families turn their lives around in the right place.” 

Idaho Youth Ranch would like to thank Jeannie for her years of service and her continual support for the organization. Thank you, Jeannie!

Volunteer Spotlight: Hazen

Fun Fact: Hazen is our longest serving youth at the Idaho Youth Ranch

Idaho Youth Ranch welcomed Hazen a little over four years ago when he joined as a way to complete his service hours for school. “It was my first volunteering opportunity that I started towards the end of 8th grade.”
Hazen has spent many Saturdays helping at a local Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift store assisting staff with retail and customer service. “I’ve done a little bit of everything- but mostly bagging items at the front counter, tagging and restocking merchandise, and sorting donations.”

“My favorite memory volunteering is just being there, it’s one of the few opportunities that I have to interact with my community. I’m happy to help in any way that I can.”

Our thrift stores are an important piece to our organization, all proceeds from purchases help fund programs and services for Idaho’s most vulnerable kids. With the help of our volunteers our process from sorting donations to providing customer service makes a big difference.

“To be a volunteer means helping someone who needs the help, I’m helping a lot to people when I volunteer. I’m usually shy around strangers but lately I have found that I’m more comfortable interacting with customers and being more familiar with that their looking for.”

Thank you Hazen for your generous work in supporting Idaho Youth Ranch- we are proud to have you here!

Volunteer Spotlight: Domenic

Fun Fact: “I was born with the name Richard and had a name change at the age of one.”

Domenic has been serving with Idaho Youth Ranch since March 2017. Originally from Chico California, he moved to Boise to attend Boise State to study General Business and is currently minoring in International Business, Marketing, and Human Resources. Domenic volunteers his time assisting the HR department in maintaining job postings, employee discount cards, and application processes.  

“I think everyone should volunteer and try to improve the world in some way- I like knowing that I’m doing something to help the world.”

His favorite volunteer experience was during popcorn Friday, where staff sell popcorn within each department to raise funds for United Way-“We went around the whole complex handing out popcorn to everyone-it was a lot fun!”

Domenic is currently learning French, has plans to travel Europe right after graduation, and was accepted into a Master’s program in Spain 2020.

Idaho Youth Ranch would like to highlight Domenic for his years of service to our organization and for his positive attitude! Thank you Domenic!

 

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