Category: News

Honoring the Legacy of Orth Lodge

July 16, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Every story has a first chapter. For Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Orth Lodge is a cornerstone of that chapter.

In 1959, what began as a leftover machine shed on the old O’Rourke Farm in Billings became something more. Through the generosity of our first donors, that humble structure was transformed into the Ranch’s first building, complete with sleeping quarters, a dining hall, a schoolroom, a kitchen, and staff housing.

It was more than just a place to live and work. Orth Lodge embodied a bold new vision: that Montana’s most vulnerable youth deserve safety, structure, and the chance to heal.

A Space Shaped by People, Not Just Walls

Later named Orth Lodge in honor of Carl Orth, one of the early champions of our mission, the building became a lasting symbol of care, resilience, and community.

Today, Orth serves a new purpose: it’s a family life center, providing a welcoming space for families to stay while visiting their children in our therapeutic residential care at the Ranch.

What’s endured isn’t just the structure, but the spirit of compassion, stability, and human connection that has lived within it for decades.

Looking Back as We Look Ahead

Each September, we commemorate our founding by reflecting on the milestones that shaped us, from our incorporation in 1956 to becoming a statewide provider delivering care to over 3,600 youth annually.

A lot has changed over the decades. But the heart of Orth—and the heart of Yellowstone—remains the same:

Caring people, preparing youth for life.

As we prepare for this year’s “Living the Legacy” celebration to honor our founding, we’ll be sharing stories from our past that have shaped 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.

Kids at YBGR’s Boulder Group Homes Make a Lasting Impact at Local Animal Shelter

July 14, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

What began as a one-time service project has grown into something much deeper. For over a year, kids from our Boulder Group Homes have partnered with Animal Shelter and Care of Jefferson County (ASCJeffco)—and the impact continues to grow.

A Community Partnership That’s Building More Than a Shelter

It began with a simple goal: to help build a shelter and dog park that would serve the community and provide care for animals in need. But long after the construction wrapped up, the connection remained.

Now, each week, youth return to ASCJeffco—not because they have to, but because they want to. They walk dogs, clean kennels, and comfort animals still waiting for a home. Their steady presence has become a source of support that the shelter can count on.

Building Skills at Boulder Group Homes Through Service

This isn’t just about volunteering—it’s about growth. Through their work, youth are learning responsibility, showing up with consistency, and experiencing the power of care in action.

With the guidance of our Boulder team, they’re developing real-world skills and growing into leaders. They’re learning what it means to contribute, to connect, and to show up for something bigger than themselves.

Preparing Youth for Life Through Purposeful Engagement

This is what our mission, “Caring People, Preparing Youth for Life,” looks like in practice.

By creating space for service, our kids are not only supporting the community—they’re discovering who they are and what they’re capable of. This partnership with ASCJeffco is a powerful example of what can happen when care is consistent and purpose-driven, both for the animals and for the youth in our Boulder Group Homes.

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1956 Marked the Start. 1957 Made It Real. A Legacy of Caring Still Growing

July 3, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

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.

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YBGR Staff Give Back: 4,238 Hours of Volunteering Across Montana

July 2, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

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.

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Dr. Jane Gillette Appointed Board Chair at YBGR

July 1, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Dr. Jane Gillette Appointed to YBGR Board Chair (1)

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.

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Walmart’s Generosity Helps Yellowstone Youth Gardening Thrive

June 27, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Did you know that every June, Walmart steps up to support kids at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch by donating unsold seeds, pots, soil, and gardening supplies? Their contributions play a vital role in keeping Yellowstone youth gardening programs thriving — helping maintain the Ranch gardens and supporting horticultural activities at Yellowstone Academy.

Through these programs, youth engage in meaningful, hands-on learning that teaches responsibility, patience, and growth.

How Yellowstone Youth Gardening Builds Skills and Confidence

Yellowstone youth gardening isn’t just about planting seeds; it’s about planting the roots of resilience. Thanks to Walmart’s generosity, youth at Yellowstone Academy and the Ranch experience the full cycle of care, from preparing the soil to seeing the first sprouts. Along the way, kids learn the value of hard work, gain a sense of responsibility, and build patience as they nurture their plants.

The donated supplies help our gardens flourish all season, creating spaces where youth connect with nature, experience the calming benefits of outdoor work, and see the results of their dedication. For many, it’s a chance to build confidence and discover new interests they might not have explored otherwise.

Mitch Burns from Yellowstone Academy met with April from Walmart to pick up this year’s donation for our youth gardening program—a reminder of how local partnerships strengthen our ability to serve youth.

Thank You, Walmart!

We’re deeply grateful to Walmart for their ongoing support of Yellowstone youth gardening projects and programs. Their generosity helps make a difference in the lives of the kids we serve, giving them opportunities to grow, learn, and heal in new ways.

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Yellowstone Academy Gardening Takes Root

June 23, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Growth From the Ground Up Gardening Takes Root at Yellowstone Academy

Meet Alissa Brady, Behavior Specialist at Yellowstone Academy, and the heart behind many of the gardening projects happening across campus! Thanks to Alissa’s leadership, the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch garden beds are bursting with life — filled with plants that youth started from seed and recently transplanted into the soil they’ve spent weeks preparing.

How Yellowstone Academy Gardening Builds Lifelong Skills

Alissa has led the charge in bringing gardening to life at the Ranch. Through her guidance, youth are discovering the therapeutic value of growing something from the ground up. From planting seeds to nurturing seedlings and watching them thrive, kids are building patience, resilience, and quiet confidence through hands-on care.

But what’s growing here goes far beyond flowers and vegetables.

Yellowstone Academy gardening allows youth to connect with nature, experience the calming benefits of outdoor work, and learn important life skills. Each day spent in the garden helps them practice consistency, responsibility, and teamwork—all while creating something beautiful and nourishing.

Yellowstone Academy Gardening Supports Healing and Growth

At Yellowstone Academy, caring people like Alissa and her teammates are committed to creating learning experiences that support healing and personal growth. Gardening projects are just one example of how the Academy blends academics, therapeutic support, and real-world skills to help prepare youth for life.

We’re grateful for the heart Alissa and the Yellowstone Academy team bring to their work with the kids entrusted to our care. Together, they’re planting seeds of hope, healing, and strength.

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.

New YBGR SMART Rooms Are Helping Montana Kids Heal

June 18, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

How YBGR SMART Rooms Are Helping Montana Kids Heal

What if healing didn’t have to start with words? Across Montana, SMART rooms are offering kids who’ve experienced trauma a new way to reset, reconnect, and heal. These spaces use sensory experiences and are thoughtfully designed to support their unique needs.

Leading this effort is Charise Lemelin, Clinical Director of Community-Based Services, whose vision is bringing SMART rooms to life in communities across the state.

What Are SMART Rooms?

SMART rooms (Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment) are therapeutic spaces that help children and teens regulate emotions and behaviors in ways that go beyond traditional talk therapy. Developed by clinical experts at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, the SMART model integrates sensory and motor activities to support youth who have experienced complex trauma.

These rooms use tools like:

Weighted blankets for comfort and grounding
Fitness balls to promote body awareness and self-regulation
Other sensory tools that help kids manage emotions and build resilience

Each space gives youth a place to pause, engage their senses, and practice healthy ways to navigate difficult moments.

Expanding SMART Rooms Across Montana

Thanks to Charise’s leadership, SMART spaces are becoming a vital part of our community-based services. Each new room reflects our commitment to trauma-informed care — helping youth access practical tools that support healing and growth.

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A Day to Remember: Yellowstone Academy Graduation, Class of 2025

May 31, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Yesterday’s Yellowstone Academy graduation ceremony at the Ranch marked a powerful milestone—one that was years in the making for seven incredible students.

Some spent nearly their entire educational journeys as day school students at Yellowstone Academy, while others completed the final stretch of high school while in our care.

No matter their path, each student earned far more than a diploma. They walked away with a hard-won victory—a testament to perseverance, growth, and the power of care and connection.

Staff Reflections Highlight Growth, Resilience, and Strength

The 2025 Yellowstone Academy graduation ceremony opened with heartfelt remarks from John Boeder, Chaplain, and Cass Cole, Principal. Their words set the tone for a moving celebration grounded in hope and achievement.

Throughout the event, staff who stood beside these students over the years shared reflections on their growth and transformation.

Speakers included:

Bobby Sipes, Teacher
Tara Kirkegard, Behavior Specialist
Dan Porisch, Former Behavior Specialist
Lacey Jones, Therapist
Jevon Lulf, Teacher

Their stories honored the progress each student made—both academically and personally.

Graduates Share Wisdom for the Road Ahead

Each graduate left their mark—and a quote of wisdom for others:

“Treat others how you want to be treated.”

“Working hard is important, but there is something that matters even more…believing in yourself.”

“Life is your game. If you have a dream, go chase it.”

“Life is too deep for words, so don’t try to describe it. Just live it.”

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”

“The history you leave behind should be what describes you, not your past.”

“It’s your life; live it well.”

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Keith Tresch, Superintendent, handed out the diplomas, and Dwight Von Schriltz, Director of Special Education Services, presented the newly graduated students to the crowd—marking both an ending and a new beginning.

From all of us at YBGR and Yellowstone Academy—congratulations to the class of 2025! Your strength inspires us. Your future is bright.

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MMIP Awareness Month: Honoring Lives and Raising Voices at the Ranch

May 20, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

May is MMIP Awareness Month, a time to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) and raise visibility around the violence impacting Native communities. At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, youth and staff gathered for a powerful vigil on Wednesday, May 14th, that brought this national crisis close to home.

Youth-Led Vigil Brings Focus to MMIP Awareness

Led by Mustang Nation—a youth-led cultural club through our Native American Services program—the event was held in the Chapel on campus. Youth and staff came together to reflect, learn, and take action.

The vigil raised awareness about MMIP, the risks of human trafficking, and the growing dangers of illicit fentanyl in Indigenous communities. To close the gathering, participants joined in a Red Sand activation—filling sidewalk cracks with red sand to symbolize those who have fallen through the cracks of systems meant to protect them.

Standing in Solidarity, Amplifying Awareness

Among those present were Mike Chavers, CEO; Josie Brady, Native American Services Coordinator; Charlie Sleeper, Mental Health Worker; Eric Thorson, Licensed Addiction Counselor; and MMIP advocates Yolanda Fraser and Justin Ras. Their presence reflected a shared commitment to standing with Indigenous communities and amplifying youth voices.

As we observe MMIP Awareness Month, we recommit to listening, learning, and taking action. Events like this remind us that awareness is only the beginning—what follows must be ongoing support, advocacy, and change.

Shirts Now Available to Support MMIP Efforts

Youth at the Ranch designed a T-shirt to raise awareness and funds in support of MMIP efforts. Proceeds from shirt purchases go directly toward advocacy and outreach.

Shirts are available through June 20th. Click here to order and support the cause.