I wanted to die every single moment of every single day. I haven't had this as much lately. I see my future; I see my life really changing. I see myself living for a lot of years.
Katie, 17
letter from the CEO
You made all the difference
Wow! We will look back at FY19 and remember it as the year that changed everything. I hope you saw the numbers on the two pages leading up to this letter.
Thank you for carefully reading this annual report, appreciating the stories while analyzing the data. If you have any comments or questions, I would love to hear from you.
Since FY17, you support helped double the number of youth served. That is incredible!
The numbers are important, but behind every number is a child who faced overwhelming adversity and changed the trajectory of their life.
Without your support, these kids would have continued to carry the burden of trauma, neglect, and dysfunction into their futures. Your generosity means that lost, scared, and hopeless children will find their way to a future filled with compassion, strength, and hope.
You helped a teenage girl, who was sexually assaulted on the way to school, find the courage to use her horrible experience to empower others.
You helped a boy who helped raise his younger siblings get to college.
You saved a mother who was afraid to ask for help because she feared she would be judged for not being “enough.” Because of you, she now believes she and her family have the tools to stop the cycle of child abuse she overcame.
These young people are my heroes. Each story is full of the kind of courage, joy, and hope that could move mountains. You are a catalyst of change that empowers the youth we serve to propel themselves into bright, promising futures.
In the next pages, you will learn how we have grown as an organization to increase our impact and improve our operations. We celebrate the people, events, and milestones that helped us pivot our 66-year-old legacy toward the future.
Thank you for joining us in our mission!
Gratefully,
Scott Curtis, CEO
With your help we're building a sustainable future, together
In FY2017, we committed to improve our operations and impact more kids. We are proud to say we have worked hard to keep that promise to you. Working with dedicated staff, volunteers, and donors we created a plan to set our organization up to be sustainable for the long haul and help kids and families in Idaho with the most effective therapies available.
We have doubled the number of kids served since Fiscal Year 2017.
We promised to expand our sustainable business model by finding new efficiencies and opportunities. That is why we invested in making our network of thrift stores leaner and better able to support our programs. In FY19, Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores contributed a record amount, representing 37% of our funding.
In October 2019, Idaho Youth Ranch became a Medicaid provider. This accomplishment ensures that we can provide services to the most vulnerable youth. Fifty-three percent of Idaho’s children live in low-income families (10 points higher than the national average). These families are often the most vulnerable and lack the resources to get help for their children when they need it most.
In May of 2019, over 350 people joined us to celebrate the grand opening of the Equestrian Center at Hands of Promise. This marked the completion of the first building on the new campus and the expansion of outpatient Equine Assisted Therapy to vulnerable young people.
We are proud to say that 6,113 donors and volunteers joined us in our fight to transform trauma into triumph for Idaho’s most vulnerable youth in FY19. These donors, sponsors, volunteers, and event attendees represent a community of givers who believe that Idaho’s kids deserve a better tomorrow.
...not in our state
Kids in Idaho are at higher risk of drugs, crime, suicide, violence, and depression than in most states. Only five states have more kids affected by three or more adverse childhood experiences.
This is not okay!
With your help, we are creating a lasting solution for Idaho’s kids to overcome trauma and build hope and resilience: The Hands of Promise Campus.
Your support has already paid dividends for vulnerable kids and families with the expansion of our Equine Assisted Therapy program.
In May, we celebrated the grand opening of the Equestrian Center at Idaho Youth Ranch Hands of Promise Campus alongside our donors, volunteers, and Board of Directors.
With the overwhelming generosity of Idahoans who believe that our kids deserve a chance at joy, more kids than ever are getting the outpatient Equine Assisted Therapy they need to beat the odds and forge their own paths toward a better future.
The Equestrian Center at Hands of Promise also marks the first significant step toward bringing long-term residential care for high-risk, low-income families back to Idaho. Today, young people in need of residential care – those coping with violence, abuse, neglect, and trauma – are being sent out of state. It’s difficult to work with their families to heal the root causes of their challenges. They do not have the opportunity to be near friends or loved ones.
Today, more than 100 young people in Idaho in need of residential care - those coping with violence, abuse, neglect, and trauma - are being sent out of state, away from family, friends, and loved ones.
We are counting on Idahoans to help us say, “Enough! Our kids deserve better.”
Together, with your continued support, we can keep Idaho’s kids in Idaho with a world-class resource right here at home.
planned giving
Leave a legacy
"My IRA rollover is a better way to give that benefits all."
Leroy Custer is a proud Idahoan and long-time supporter of Idaho Youth Ranch. When Leroy retired, he wanted to dedicate his time and talents to making the community a better place. He has worked with served Idaho nonprofits since retirement but found a special place at Idaho Youth Ranch, where he serves as a member of the Board of Directors.
“If you heard the stories of these kids that need help, you’d have to be pretty hardcore not to want to be inspired to help. That’s why we’re here. It’s about the mission and the lives we can change.”
Leroy found out about IRA rollovers from his tax professional and realized that it was a great vehicle for him to accomplish his philanthropic goals.
“My IRA rollover is a great way to give. I feel fortunate to have been able to earn an income that allows me to give back. There is a lot of need and the IRA rollover allows me to make a meaningful gift that can make a real impact.”
The Promising Futures Legacy Society is made up of amazing donors, like Leroy, who live a legacy of compassion. They help Idaho’s most vulnerable kids and leave a legacy of hope. Generous gifts from Legacy Society members ensure that our programs can continue to help kids overcome trauma, heal, and build resilience.
- Outright Gift of an Asset Gifting of stock, real estate or other assets can avoid capital gains tax on the transfer and creates a charitable deduction for the value of the asset. To learn more, see a tax professional.*
- Bequest With the help of an estate planner, you can include language in your will or trust designating Idaho Youth Ranch as a beneficiary in your estate plans.*
- IRA Charitable Rollover Individuals 70½ or older can roll over up to $100,000 for an individual and $200,000 for a married couple (as of 2019) from an IRA directly to Idaho Youth Ranch. IRA rollovers avoid taxes on the transfer and you can count the gift against your required minimum distribution, which can lower your taxable income for the year.*
- Insurance Policy Designate Idaho Youth Ranch as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy.*
*This content does not constitute tax advice. Questions about tax-implications should be directed to your tax professional.
shake loose a little bit...
Born outside Caldwell to two Idaho natives, Jane speaks fondly of a childhood that taught her the value of generosity, education, and hard work. She is the daughter of a farmer and a teacher who strongly believed in making sure that Jane and her three sisters received an education.
Jane chuckled as she explained that her mother wanted six sons and that’s one of the reasons her parents starting giving to Idaho Youth Ranch in the 1960s. At the time, Idaho Youth Ranch was a program designed for “wayward boys” (Idaho Youth Ranch began accepting girls in the 1970s). Her parents believed that by contributing to Idaho Youth Ranch, they could help to raise young men, too.
Jane began giving $25 to Idaho Youth Ranch when she was in college and continued that generosity throughout her career later creating a scholarship fund for girls in honor of her mother.
“Mom used to say that if you educate a woman, you educate a family.”
For Jane, generosity is a part of her life’s work. Supporting causes she loves is a joy she has carried with her throughout her life.
“Seeing and understanding a need that I can make some difference in if I came up with a little money... that’s always been important to me.”
Jane has committed to matching new $5,000 donations to the Idaho Youth Ranch to incentivize others by making their support go a little further. She describes her giving as “an indulgence” and believes in being the change you wish to see in the world.
“Shake loose a little bit! Give a little more than you think you can and see how it feels.” Jane said, “What do you really want to do with that money? What would make you feel good? I’ve found that giving some of it away can make a really big difference in the world. If there’s something out there that’s really bothering you, you can make a change by giving.”
...we unite for Idaho's youth
In FY19, more than 1,000 donors and volunteers joined us at events that raised the roof, fought the rain, and generated $450,876*! An army of volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community partners brought three events to life.
The wonderful people who join us in our events have given their time, talent, and treasure to come together and raise money and awareness for the extraordinary challenges facing Idaho’s kids.
At Wine, Women & Shoes, Idaho’s daughters, sisters, and mothers came together to say that Idaho’s kids deserve a chance at a promising future.
At events held in Boise and Coeur d’Alene with nearly 1,000 Idaho women in attendance, Wine, Women & Shoes raised $333,957* to help vulnerable kids throughout the state overcome trauma, neglect, and violence.
There are people in my life that know my story, have held my hand during the hard moments and have suffered from my unhealed scars. Idaho Youth Ranch has the resources and people for those that don’t have anyone to turn to. Please open your hearts to Idaho Youth Ranch and donate with me today. With your support, they will help adolescents realize their past doesn’t have to define their future.
- Daniell Alworth, volunteer, and donor Wine Women & Shoes Ceour d'Alene
Interested in joining the fun? Reach out to Stacey Moody at smoody@youthranch.org.
Brian Scott Invitational
On the heels of Wine, Women & Shoes, Brian Scott, Board Director for Idaho Youth Ranch, took his support to a new level and invited new friends to share in our mission.
Golfers from around the state joined Mr. Scott at Whitetail Golf Club, fighting wind, rain, snow, and sunshine to raise $116,919* at the first annual Brian Scott Golf Invitational Tournament.
For more information on how to get involved, contact Stacey Moody at smoody@youthranch.org.
Idaho at its finest...
Sponsors
- JCPenney
- Icon Credit Union
- Hewlett-Packard
- Coeur d’Alene Tribe
- Key Bank
- Ataraxis | PEO
- Washington Trust Bank
- Parker Toyota
- John L. Scott Real Estate
- Silverwood Theme Park
- Forge Building Company
- Simplot
- Coldwell Bankers
- Albertsons
- Idaho Central Credit Union
- Boise Cascade
- Norco
- United Way
- Audi of Boise
- Roundhouse
- Findlay Auto Group
- Numerica Credit Union
- Coeur d’Alene Honda
Partners and Foundations
- Innovia Foundation
- Numerica Foundation
- Richard B. Siegel Foundation
- CarMax Foundation
- Whittenberger Foundation
- Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation
- Idaho Community Foundation
- Idaho Workforce Development Council
- Gladys E. Langroise Advised Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation
The advocacy, generosity, and support from our sponsors build resilience and hope for Idaho's most vulnerable youth.
...thank you!
Sustaining Resilience
Just a few short years ago, Shelly was sleeping in Bed 11 at a local homeless shelter. She found the courage to leave an abusive relationship, even if it meant living on the street.
“I was sleeping in my car or living or at tent city in the middle of winter.”
Her son, Alex, lived at Idaho Youth Ranch Hays House while Shelly worked to get back on her feet. Shelly had been doing odd jobs to get by when she walked into an Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store and saw an old friend working behind the counter.
That was all Shelly needed to get her foot in the door.
“They said they could hire me on part-time and I was so excited.”
When Shelly started her job at Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store, she was living in government housing and recovering from homelessness. Within a few months, she was offered a raise and promotion to Lead Customer Service Representative.
“It was scary because the raise meant I would lose my benefits. It was the first time I was going to have to pay all my bills alone, and I was not sure I could do it. I’ve been down the hard road. I’ve been down the sad road. I’m not going back.”
Shelly says today for the first time, she has her own place and pays all of her own bills.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be here. I’ve always been called to helping people – I just never thought I’d find that in a retail store. If I have something to give to someone who is where I was, I’m happy to give it.”
...building resilience
Lauren and Alyssa are two wonderful examples of the real success stories of Idaho Youth Ranch. These two incredible young ladies are proof of the resilience and potential Idaho youth have to offer if given a chance and a little direction. See their stories and find out more about IYR at:
board of directors
As of June 30, 2019
Josh Tyree | CHAIRMAN | Boise
Gary Beaty | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN | Boise
Ron Ashley | DIRECTOR EMERITUS | Boise
Harry Amend | Rathdrum
Jim Bratnober | Boise
Leroy Custer | Boise
Donna Findlay | Coeur d'Alene
Sheila Hennessey | Boise
Jim Johnston | Boise
Dave Lakhani | Meridian
Shane B. Mace | Boise
Brinnon Mandel | Coeur d'Alene
David Murray | Boise
Tim Reid | Boise
Rick Rietmann | Boise
Brian J. Scott | Boise
Chris Taylor | Boise
Julie VanOrden | Blackfoot