Did you know June marked our 68th year of caring for kids?

In June of 1957, after purchasing the old O’Rourke Farm west of Billings, we welcomed the first child into our care—planting the roots of what would become Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

It all began with a bold response to injustice: At the time, young boys—some barely old enough to ride a bike—were being housed alongside adult criminals at the Montana State Industrial School. Franklin Robbie saw it and said, not on our watch. There has to be a better way.

What started as a safe haven soon grew into a therapeutic residential treatment center for youth.

A Legacy of Caring Takes Root

By the fall of 1973, we had already served 400 youth. In 1977, we began transitioning from long-term custodial care to short-term therapeutic treatment, launching our first Pilot Assessment and Treatment programs in Orth Lodge.

In June 1980, The Wrangler announced a historic milestone: the decision to admit girls to our Brekkeflat Assessment and Treatment Lodge. That edition also marked the first time we were referred to as Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

The 1990s brought another important step forward. We were approved by the State of Montana to pilot Medicaid reimbursement for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Services—ensuring access to critical care for youth with significant mental health needs.

And in 1999, we expanded into community-based services, stepping outside the walls of the Ranch to meet kids where they live, learn, and grow.

A Mission That Keeps Growing

In our first 14 months, we served just 14 youth.

Today, we reach more than 3,600 kids annually through a full spectrum of mental health services—ranging from our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) in Billings, to therapeutic group homes in Boulder, Billings, Helena, and Great Falls, and community-based care that now touches nearly every corner of Montana.

While our reach has grown, our heart has never changed: Caring people, preparing youth for life. We continue to show up for kids when it matters most.

Looking Back as We Look Ahead

Every September, we celebrate our beginnings—the moment we officially filed our Articles of Incorporation in 1956.

As we prepare for this year’s celebration, we’ll be sharing stories from our past and the legacy that continues to shape who we are today.

We invite you to join us on the journey.

Stay Connected

Stay tuned to our news updates for the latest from across Montana, and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Every hour counts—and YBGR employees are proving it in powerful ways! In just a quarter’s time, our team spent 4,238 hours volunteering across Montana. From coaching youth sports to mentoring kids, delivering meals, serving on boards, and so much more, they’re making a real difference far beyond the workday.

This is what it looks like when caring people come together. We don’t just serve our communities—we’re part of them.

More Than Numbers: The Heart Behind the Service

What makes these hours so meaningful isn’t just the total—it’s the spirit behind them. Whether it’s firing up the grill for a crowd, helping a neighbor in need, or quietly mentoring a young athlete, our team shows up with commitment, care, and humility. These moments build lasting connections and communities that thrive.

Take Leslin Ossoff, Regional Clinical Director, and Alexis Freydenfelt, Administrative Supervisor, for example. In May, they volunteered at a Kenyon Noble event in Bozeman, where they grilled hot dogs for kids and helped families build flowerpots in time for Mother’s Day. It’s a snapshot of the kind of hands-on care and connection our staff bring into their communities every day.

Why Volunteering Matters at YBGR

At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, we believe community involvement is part of who we are, not just what we do. When our staff give their time, they’re helping create the positive connections that kids, families, and neighbors need to succeed. Together, we’re helping youth grow stronger and communities grow closer.

To every employee who gives so generously—thank you. Your time and heart make a lasting difference.

Stay Connected

Stay tuned to our news updates for the latest from across Montana, and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

We’re excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Jane Gillette as Chair of our Board of Directors, effective July 1st, 2025.

Dr. Gillette has served on the Board since 2021 and was Vice Chair from July 1st, 2024, through June 30th, 2025. A Montana State Legislator, she is a recognized leader in primary disease prevention, health disparities, and evidence-based healthcare.

Her past leadership roles include serving as Chair of the American Dental Association’s Council on Access, Prevention, and Interprofessional Relations and Media Spokesperson for the ADA on Evidence-based Dentistry. She is a recipient of the ADA/American Association of Dental Research Evidence-based Practice Award and the HRDC IX Future Generations Award.

Dr. Gillette has also served on nonprofit healthcare and research boards, including Save the Mothers USA, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Mountain Health CO-OP, and the NIH-funded NW PRECEDENT research network.

Stay Connected

Stay tuned to our news updates for the latest from across Montana, and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at YBGR and Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.