Category: News

Lasting Legacy of Giving: The Story Behind Donald Nutter Memorial Dining Hall

August 30, 2025News, YBGR HistoryElizabeth Campoy

Can a $1 gift make a difference? At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, it always has.

From a heartfelt donation in 1964 to the hundreds of meals served each day with care, the story of Donald Nutter Memorial Dining Hall is one rooted in generosity, community, and small acts that build something lasting.

This beloved space at the Ranch stands today thanks to the many who gave—each gift, large or small, helped bring it to life.

Donald Nutter Memorial Dining Hall - Photo 5

A powerful reminder of that came recently from John Whyte, our Admissions Coordinator in Great Falls. John shared a thank-you letter his parents received in 1965 from then-CEO Franklin Robbie, recognizing their $1 donation toward the Dining Hall’s construction.

Honoring a Tradition of Gratitude

A single dollar and a sincere note of gratitude. It’s a tradition the Yellowstone Foundation proudly carries on today—still sending handwritten thank-you letters to the donors who help power our mission.

Every gift matters. Every act of generosity leaves a mark.

A Space Built for Community, Nourishment, and Care

Named after Governor Donald Nutter, a Montana leader instrumental in the Ranch’s early years, the Dining Hall officially opened in 1966. That day, 450 people gathered to celebrate a new chapter—one centered around shared meals, belonging, and care.

Before the Ranch had a chapel, the Dining Hall served as a sacred space where kids gathered for Sunday morning services. It also became a cozy movie theater for monthly film nights, filling the room with laughter and community.

Still Feeding Hearts and Lives Today

Today, the Donald Nutter Memorial Dining Hall remains a cornerstone of daily life at the Ranch. The Sodexo team prepares and serves hundreds of meals each day, ensuring every child in our care is well-nourished and supported.

More than just a building, the Dining Hall is a symbol of what’s possible when people come together to give, build, and believe. It’s a space shaped by love, filled with stories, and sustained by the ongoing generosity of those who stand behind our mission.

Learn More About Our History

Visit our History page to explore the story—and the caring people—who gave birth to our mission. Their vision continues to touch the lives of thousands of youth across Montana and beyond each year.

Want to dive deeper? You can also find A Legacy of Caring, written by our founder, Franklin Robbie, on Amazon.

Yellowstone County organizations requesting community help this back-to-school season

August 18, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

YBGR Group Homes Collaborate, Bringing Billings and Great Falls Teams Together

August 13, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

When YBGR group homes collaborate, the impact goes beyond logistics—it strengthens teams, improves communication, and enhances the care we provide to Montana kids.

That collaboration was on full display this month as staff from River’s Edge and STAR Group Homes in Billings traveled to connect with the team at North Skyline Group Home in Great Falls.

A Day of Purposeful Collaboration—and Tacos

Hosted by the North Skyline crew, the gathering included therapeutic discussion, relationship-building, and a taco lunch that brought everyone together. From shared care strategies to laughter over homemade fry bread, the event reinforced the value of taking time to connect as a united team.

Moments like these show how YBGR group homes collaborate not only to solve challenges, but to support one another and align around our shared mission: caring people, preparing youth for life.

Strengthening Teams & Care Across Montana

Teammates in attendance included: Jessie Wilson, Michelle Mouat, Lori Kapphan, Chloe Foster, Dani Miller, Brittany Olson, Zander Mathis, Richard Heusel, Jennifer Hawks, Alycia Hall, and Mariah Lefebre.

As YBGR continues to grow across the state, collaboration between group homes plays a critical role in maintaining consistency, trust, and mission-focused care. When we invest in each other, everyone benefits—especially the youth we serve.

At YBGR, the strength of our teams is the foundation for the care we provide.

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.

Amazon Brings Pizza, Smiles, and Care to the Ranch

August 8, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

When Amazon brings pizza to the Ranch, it’s more than just a delivery—it’s a show of noteworthy support for the kids at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR).

During a recent visit, six Amazon employees arrived on campus with 42 pizzas, drinks, and snacks in hand, ready to make the day unforgettable for students at Yellowstone Academy.

Delivering Pizza and Encouragement

Fresh off a four-day regional tour, the Amazon team made a stop at YBGR to deliver an afternoon of fun and food. Every classroom was included, from our youngest learners to high school students. They offered each child as much as they wanted—yes, even seconds and thirds.

Amazon didn’t stop there. They also stocked the chapel with extra snacks, extending the impact of their visit beyond the day itself.

A New Partnership Making a Difference

While new to supporting YBGR, Amazon is already making a measurable impact through monthly in-kind donations and campus visits. When Amazon brings pizza to the Ranch, it’s not just about the food—it’s about showing up for kids in meaningful ways, even if just for the day.

Thank you, Amazon, for your generosity and commitment to Montana youth. Your contributions help meet daily needs and strengthen the foundation of care we provide.

Stay Connected

Museum Trip Celebrates Growth for Kids in YBGR’s Community-Based Services

August 5, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Kids in YBGR’s community-based services in Butte recently took a special trip to the Museum of the Rockies to celebrate the progress they’ve made in their treatment plans. The outing blended learning, exploration, and was a powerful reminder of how far they’ve come.

For many, it was their very first museum visit. As the kids explored towering dinosaur fossils, hands-on science exhibits, and interactive displays, their curiosity sparked in real time.

This wasn’t just a field trip; it was a meaningful experience that promoted healing, connection, and a sense of accomplishment.

First-Time Experiences That Matter

For the kids in our care, experiences like a day at the Museum of the Rockies can be especially meaningful. This field trip became a milestone moment filled with awe, discovery, and the kind of wonder that makes learning come alive.

Each exhibit explored was a reflection of the progress they’ve made. Each question asked showed just how far they’ve come on their journey, and how much possibility still lies ahead.

Gratitude for an Experience That Inspires

We’re deeply grateful to the Museum of the Rockies for welcoming the kids in our care and helping create a day they’ll never forget. Experiences like this are one of many ways YBGR’s community-based services helps kids build confidence and discover what’s possible.

Stay Connected

Update from CEO Mike Chavers Regarding Former Employee John Whiteside

July 28, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

At Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, we’re committed to transparency and the well-being of the youth in our care. Please see the statement below from CEO Mike Chavers addressing recent media coverage involving former employee John Whiteside:

“Protecting the safety and well-being of the youth in our care is our highest priority at YBGR. Mr. Whiteside was employed by YBGR on April 21, 2025, and was terminated on May 23, 2025.

Mr. Whiteside’s last contact with youth as a YBGR employee was on May 19, 2025. YBGR cooperated fully with all investigative efforts by law enforcement and Child and Family Services. We support appropriate legal action in response to unlawful behavior, particularly when it involves youth.

On May 20, 2025, youth at the ranch made reports indicating that Mr. Whiteside made inappropriate comments. YBGR ensured that Mr. Whiteside would have no other contact with YBGR youth and reported the incident to the appropriate authorities and guardians, per all requirements. We are grateful that the youth felt safe and empowered to report, for the quick action by YBGR staff to ensure safety, and for the thorough investigation by law enforcement.

Prior to employment, Mr. Whiteside was cleared by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, a national criminal background check, and received positive references, as required for all YBGR employees. Mr. Whiteside’s 32 days as a YBGR employee included 15 days without any youth contact, and five (5) days of on-the-job shadowing.”

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.

Stay Connected

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.

Stay Connected

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.

Stay Connected

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.