The Idaho Youth Ranch provides troubled children and families a bridge to a valued, responsible and productive future.

To this end, we help each child find the hope, vision, courage and will to succeed. We provide stability, opportunity and security. We encourage growth and offer a chance to develop confidence, independence, esteem and respect. We teach values, responsibility and self discipline in honest, caring environments. We believe in family, work, accountability, education and responsible behavior.

We are a catalyst for change.

Description:
The Idaho Youth Ranch provides residential treatment, group homes, adoption and other services for troubled, delinquent, abused or homeless children and adolescents.

The agency offers 6 residential programs for youth; The Ranch, a 56 bed, 24 hour supervised, long-term treatment program for boys ages 8-18, and girls ages 13-18 located in southeast Idaho, Anchor House, a 12 bed, 24 hour supervised group care facility for boys ages 13-18, located in northern Idaho, Discovery House, a 12 bed, 24 hour supervised group care facility for boys ages 13-18 located in Nampa, Emancipation Home, a 10 bed, 24 hour supervised apartment living facility for boys ages 16-18 located in Boise, Hays Shelter Home, a 12 bed, co-ed emergency shelter and crisis service for youth ages 9 through 17 located in Boise, and Harbor House, a 10 bed, 24 hour group care facility for boys and girls ages 12 to 17 in need of crisis or transitional care located in Idaho Falls.

The agency also offers intensive family counseling services and adoption services and 22 Thrift stores throughout the state to assist in generating revenue for the youth and family programs.

History:
Reverend James Crowe, a Methodist minister, had a vision of a working ranch where troubled kids could grow and learn. He started an effort to create such a place in 1952.

He formed a nonprofit corporation and applied to the federal government for a piece of southern Idaho desert. In July of 1952, President Truman signed an Act providing IYR with four square miles of land at the price of $1.00 per acre per year for 25 years. The IRS granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in 1954. Work was just beginning. It took several years to cut roads, dig wells, and clear sagebrush. The first boy arrived in 1957.

Over the years IYR has grown as Idaho has grown. The Ranch has become a large campus with everything from a non-denominational chapel to an indoor riding arena. Community based facilities have been opened in three other locations in the state. Adoptions, intensive family services and five additional residential programs consistent with the mission of providing troubled children and families "A bridge to a valued, responsible and productive future" have been added over time.

In 1983 a "thrift" store was opened to help generate revenue from the sale of donated clothing and household items to support its programs . Today, an integrated network of 20 large stores generates revenue, work opportunities, and good will.

Today the Idaho Youth Ranch is a large, licensed, accredited and well-respected agency offering troubled children and their families a wide array of effective services.

Hays Shelter Home - A Program of the Idaho Youth Ranch, has been providing emergency shelter to runaway, homeless, abused, neglected and abandoned youth in the Boise community for 37 years. In 1997 Hays Shelter Home and The Idaho Youth Ranch merged their agencies, providing strength and depth to both in their on-going dedication to serve Idaho youth and families.

Contact person: Steve Fields, Hays Shelter Home Program Director, (208) 322-6687, (email)
Office fax number: (208) 322-3905

Address:

7221 W. Poplar St. Boise, ID 83704 (See a map)

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

Directions:

Go North on Cole through Fairview. The first street to the right after Fairview is Poplar. Turn Right on Poplar. Go to the 1st large facility on right after the apartment building parking lot.   Nearest Bus Stop: Cole and Fairview, <5 min minute walk