Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch News

John and Bess Manesis have lived in the same home for 30 years. They were cleaning house this fall, preparing to down-size before moving and they found they had more books than they could handle…lots of books, but no where to put them.

The DBGR Wildlife Club is always busy on campus and in the community, but recently they added another award as evidence of their outstanding work in the state.

The club placed second in the O.W.L.S. contest offered by the N.D. Game and Fish Department for project hours.

The dedication of the addition to Dakota Memorial School, Minot Campus, was held Sept. 15. The event was made memorable by the attendance of donor-friends and family who contributed to help make this dream possible.

Generous funding was given to the Ranch from the family of Victor and Dorothy Young. Their son Andrew attended the event. The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors performed the ribbon-cutting for the Dakota Memorial School Annex, named in the Young’s honor.

Dakota Memorial School recently received the results from its NCA Accreditation review, which included many positive remarks--some of which are noted below. This success is due to the Dakota Memorial staff’s quality work.

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch (DBGR) was established in 1952 with a mission to help at-risk children and their families succeed in the name of Christ. DBGR has grown to become the largest Lutheran Social Service Agency in North Dakota. The year 2012 marks 60 years of service to children and families. The Ranch is one of the top 100 largest employers in North Dakota, with more than 470 employees. It is a Recognized Social Ministry Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, a member of Lutheran Services in America, through which we are an Affiliated Social Ministry Organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. DBGR has served more than 29,000 at-risk children and their families from 36 states in its six programs in North Dakota.

Dakota Family Services moving offices
to Ranch campus; offices open July 29

Ranch’s out-patient mental health services
available to community

July 27, 2010, Fargo, N.D.—Dakota Family Services, an outreach mission of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, is moving its Minot offices to the Ranch’s campus located at 6301 19 Ave. N.W., approximately four miles outside of the City of Minot. Offices will open on the Minot campus for client appointments beginning Thursday, July 29.

The move will allow both DFS and Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to efficiently provide the most comprehensive services possible.  Dakota Family Service was established in 2008 as a community-based mental health service organization and an outreach mission of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, a private, not-for-profit Christian agency, which provides therapeutic mental health services to at-risk teens and their families. This move aligns the two areas—residential services to youth and outreach to the community, on one campus.

            Dakota Family Services’ mission is to provide outpatient mental health services with professional excellence, Christian integrity and compassion. DFS provides a full range of quality mental health services, including therapy, psychological testing and psychiatric services for children, teenagers, adults and families.

The DFS Minot team includes Dr. Wayne Martinsen, psychiatrist; Dr. Richard Townsend, psychologist; April Wilson, Certified Nurse Practitioner; Suzi Stein, child, adolescent and family therapist; and support staff.

The book was written and illustrations were created by students at Dakota Memorial School, Minot Campus. The students were approached by their art teacher, Cynthia Anderson, for a unique project--to create a book for children in hospitals. At the time, two of Cynthia’s nephews--Tucker and Chase Anderson had been hospital patients.

The project inspired Ranch students toward a deeper compassion for others.

These words are written in many of the best-loved stories of all time, and although The Alphabet Book doesn’t begin this way, it too, is destined to become a cherished keepsake of many.

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and the National Association of Social Workers Celebrate National Social Work Month in March 2009

If you’re looking to find a sense of purpose in your work, consider the countless possibilities of the social work profession. Social workers are society’s safety net, providing vital resources and support to those who need it most. Pursuing a career in social work satisfies your sense of purpose, while providing infinite possibilities for your career path.

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, along with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), proudly celebrate National Social Work Month 2009.

This year’s theme - Social Work: Purpose and Possibility—highlights the special characteristics of individuals who choose social work as a profession. Social workers are purpose-driven, compassionate individuals who work across a range of areas to help those most vulnerable in our society. Social workers have a vital role in hospitals, help children in schools reach their educational goals, provide treatment at mental health facilities and play many other fundamental roles in our community.

“People who are looking for a career with meaning, action, diversity, satisfaction, and an abundance of options are often drawn to social work,” says Elizabeth Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, executive director of NASW. “Social workers are highly trained professionals who care about people, who want to make things better, who want to relieve suffering, who want their work to make a difference.”

Social workers believe there are no limits to human potential, and use their talents to help others create better lives for themselves and for their families. Some social workers help clients who face a disability or a life-threatening disease. Some assist families that have domestic conflicts involving children or spousal abuse. Other social workers conduct research, advocate for improved services, or are involved in policy development.

This year, NASW has developed a “50 Ways to Use Your Social Work Degree” Web site at www.50ways.helpstartshere.org.  This tool showcases the various ways in which actual social workers are working with individuals, families and communities—and explores what experiences and interests led them to the profession.

To honor the achievements of its members and highlight the important work of social workers, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch would like to express our gratitude. Each of you demonstrates integrity, pride and a willingness to help out when needed, come to work to meet the needs of clients, families, and mission of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. With that, we want to sincerely Thank You for you time, effort, and dedication throughout the Year. Please express your gratitude to our Social Workers by taking them to lunch, offering your time and assistance, or just saying Thank You.

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you', it will be enough.” ~ Meister Eckhart

 About the National Association of Social Workers

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, D.C., is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with nearly 150,000 members in 56 chapters throughout the United States and its territories.  It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers.  NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy for social justice.

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