"If I were to do it again... I would definitely choose Yellowstone again. I think they care about their kids... they're very family oriented. They're tough, the counselors have to be tough, but they're lovingly tough and they are the ones that care about the kids... they do care. The most important thing about Yellowstone for our familiy including certainly our daughter, is that they do care... it's not just mushy caring, it is solid nurturing... they do want the parents involved and we became very involved."

L.K., Mom of Former Youth

"Being around him is such a treat. He is so happy and vibrant. I am so thankful that all of you worked so hard and didn't just give up on him. You definitely gave him back some self-esteem. I can see that just in the way he carries himself... I hope you can succeed with most kids that come through YBGR. They all have so much good in them. It's just to get that good out of them. I think you did a tremendous job with my grandson and will always appreciate it."

Letter from P.M., Grandma of a Former Youth

"I am forever grateful and appreciative for helping my daughter... I look at your program as one of the greatest gifts of your love, support, and education. It will possibly take time for (daughter) to fully recognize how this great opportunity has helped to change her thinking about drugs and change her life."

Letter, Mary W., Mother of a Former Youth
July 2008

"I guess I kinda ended up at Yellowstone because I was doing a lot of drugs and my family and I were really not getting along. I was pretty much an angry kid... I got arrested a few times, but I always seemed to get by without [being] charged with anything.

It was kind of a slow transition, I think I was maybe half way through [treatment when] I started feeling a little bit less isolated and alone in the world. I definitely came out of there many more years grown than I would have if I hadn't been there, and looking back I definitely learned a lot of life skills and communication skills that I wouldn't have had without a lot of people and the staff that invested time in me.

I definitely have high hopes for the future... I would like to thank everybody at Yellowstone... there are so many people I would like to thank, but they know who they are."

B.K., Former Youth
2006
College gratuate with hopes to become a Journeyman carpenter

"Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch's motto still sticks with me today, 'It sure makes a difference when you know somebody cares,' and if there is anybody out there that has any uncertainty about what the Ranch has done for kids like me, or least in my life, it changed me and made me the man I am today."

Vince, Former Youth
2007

"I think Yellowstone is important, it's important because different people need different things. I mean, not everybody needs to go to jail for stupid things that they did as a kid. Some people need a second chance or even a third chance... and you know, to just not have Yellowstone there would have meant that I would have gone to jail... versus continuing my education and graduating from high school and gratuating college... could have been a completely different sort of life story than the one I'm telling now.

Yeah, thanks to Yellowstone and a lot of hard work on my part, things are looking bright. Thanks to Yellowstone I've got my second chance and now my future's looking bright."

J.R., Former Youth
Working on his graduate degree

"You know, I think that part of it for me was I never really thought I would have a problem with drugs because I thought drug addicts came from broken homes and nobody loves them... my mom and dad were both there and loved me... but I lived on the streets... shaved my head. Without Yellowstone, I would not be where I am today... realistically the people at Yellowstone changed my life and still do to this day and I just want to thank them."

Jenna, Former Youth
2007

"Our daughter left Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch almost three years ago. Her time there was a blessing. We are grateful for the help and kindness that she received... the help from the chemical dependency program was most beneficial... the patience, kindness and the goodwill of so many staff... please accept this donation as a token of appreciation... this program will always be in our prayers."
Sincerely,

Letter from Cathleen B., Mother of a Former Youth

"When I first came to Yellowstone, I was all shut up inside, like I was living in a cave. I didn't care about myself, and I wouldn't come out for anyone."

Ella had never been on a horse before coming to Yellowstone. Ella rode with ease as she carried the YBGR flag on horseback for the dedication of the new Equestrian Center in 2006. "I will never, never forget the horses!"

Ella, Former Youth
2006

"We are so thankful to Yellowstone and its caring staff because it gave our son back to us and helped change his life in a positive way.

Before coming to Yellowstone, our entire family unit had broken down. Tyler says the time he spent at the Ranch was necessary and helped him grow into the man he is today.

We cannot say enough good things about Yellowstone. We carry a part of Yellowstone in our hearts."

Judy Stephens, Mom of Former Youth
October 2008

"I truly believe YBGR saved my life. I am still thankful for going there. It helped me become a better person in life, and it gave me a second chance to be a better person. Even today, nearly two years after leaving YBGR, I still sometimes miss Montana. The experiences I was able to have, like camping in Yellowstone, a 50-mile bike trip, White-water rafting in Yellowstone, and countless others, were experiences I will never forget.

YBGR helped me so much. I was really on the wrong path before I came to the Ranch. YBGR changed all of that. I spent most of my stay at The McVay Lodge. The counselors there were so helpful. They really made everything a lot easier. Early on in my stay, I wasn't making any improvements. Soon, I realized I wanted to change. With the help of the counselors, teachers, and my therapist, I became a new person. I quickly matured, and in January of 2007, I went home."


Former youth, S.
“S.” is currently a senior in high school. He will be graduating in June of 2009 and will attend University of Oregon in the fall. He is currently the co-captain of his Cross Country team, and is also on the track team. Thank you for sharing your story.

"Her dress, her attire started changing pretty radically. But when I really, really got concerned and hit the wall [was] when she was beginning to get into self-mutilation... and that's about the time we decided we needed to do something pretty quickly... when we first arrived I remember very clearly after 13-hour drive we were pretty tired... we were welcomed with open arms...I think the strongest endorsement that can be given... is that [daughter] went back and visited afterwards... and was willing to talk to the kids that were there and give them some guidance, and some good advice and that, to me, was wonderful."

Mr. K, Dad of Former Youth
2006