Monthly Archives: February 2016

MSUB Students Sort Clothes for YBGR Youth

Shopping for clothes can sometimes become an unpleasant experience for young people. But for some of the youth served by Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, it may feel like an unattainable feat.

MSUB Student United Way volunteers cleaned and sorted the YBGR clothing rooms in the fall of 2015.
MSUB Student United Way volunteers cleaned and sorted the YBGR clothing rooms in the fall of 2015.

“Some youth arrive at Yellowstone with just the clothes on their backs or maybe a plastic bag full of belongings,” said Megan Olszewski, the marketing coordinator at YBGR. “Many of the youth we serve come from families who do not have the resources to help them meet basic needs.”

YBGR depends on volunteers to sort donated clothing in its clothing rooms, where youth can shop for clothes for free. Students from Montana State University Billings are sorting the clothing rooms on February 25 at 3 p.m.

“Organizing the clothing and shoes at Yellowstone is a direct way for us to help kids,” said Kristen Wederski, one of four resident assistants at MSUB who has helped to organize the volunteer event. “It’s the perfect service project for our students.”

About 65 children between the ages of 10 and 18 live on the 410-acre working ranch west of Billings. The youth live on campus year-round to receive mental health treatment. The clothing room is available to youth enrolled in YBGR’s mental health programs who may not have adequate clothing, who are preparing for job interviews, or who lose a significant amount of weight with effective medication management.