Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch exists to help children and families succeed in the name of Christ. We provide residential treatment programs for children who have emotional and behavioral issues.

Description:
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a private, non-profit agency which serves children ages 10-17 in five therapeutic residential programs in Fargo, Bismarck and Minot, its home base. A 6th program, the Safe Home in Fargo, serves as a safe place for children who are awaiting placement in foster care or a therapeutic facility. Children at the Ranch suffer from issues stemming from and related to abuse and neglect, depression, addiction, developmental issues, oppositional deviance, fetal alcohol syndrome,low self-esteem, self-harm and many other issues.

History:
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch began in 1952 on the eastern side of North Dakota, supported by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It was a home for six boys with behavioral issues. The program moved to western North Dakota about one year later to a farm deeded to the Ranch by a couple who did not have children. In 1959, Bremer Hall was built on what is now the Ranch homesite, northwest of Minot. In the following years, Minot's reach has extended to North Dakota youth and beyond, as children from out of state also have benefited from our services. Nearly 200 children are served in our programs every day. Day School programs at the Ranch exist to allow children from the community to attend school on site, where their behavioral issues are addressed by special education teachers.

The Ranch is a recognized ministry of the LCMS Church and is a recognized social service of the ELCA Church. The children are cared for by direct care staff and professional staff, and participate in therapy sessions with family and other residents, as well as attending therapy with a psychiatrist.

Spiritual Life is led by a Chaplain and spiritual life liaisons and designees. Non-Christian worship is not allowed on campus, however, staff make sure that youth can worship at their faith home by arranging for rides with family members or care-givers. The Spiritual Life program is funded from private donations, designated to that program.

Other activities and programs at the Ranch include The Equine Therapeutic Riding Program, the National Youth Project Using Minibikes, DBGR Wildlife Club and the Greenhouse Technology Program.

Funding for Ranch therapeutic programs is derived from many sources, including a percentage of fees for service; from sales of donated goods to our seven Thrift Stores across the state and in Moorhead, Minn.; donors gifts; special events, such as two quilts auctions--Pigs 'n a Blanket, and BLT Day; and through Memorials and friends listing the Ranch in their wills and estates.

Contact people:

Carla Isom, Public Relations Director, (701) 237-3123 x. 1204, (email) Laurie Dannewitz, Exec. Ass't. To The President, (701) 839-7888, (email)

Office fax number: 603-590-5540 (Fargo) or 701-852-1190 (Minot)

Address:

3314 33 ST SW Fargo, ND 58104 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.dakotaboysandgirlsranch.org

Directions:

Public Relations Office: If you take an exit to or are driving on 32nd AVE S., Fargo, turn south at 33rd Street between a Tesoro station and the Country Kitchen. The Public Relations office is located in the first brick building,. . . (more)