Idaho Youth Ranch Transitions Boise Adoption Program to A New Beginning Adoption Agency
April 15, 2010 - The Idaho Youth Ranch announced today that it is transitioning its Boise adoptions program to A New Beginning Adoption Agency, which is located at 9703 West Ustick Road in Boise. The phone number is 939-3865. Although there will be a name and location change, many aspects of the program will remain the same. Idaho Youth Ranch infant adoption files in the Boise office will move to A New Beginning, along with Adoptions Specialists Lauri Corpus and Kitty Blake. A New Beginning is licensed to provide adoption services in Idaho, Utah and Oregon.
According to Robert Ball, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Programs for the Idaho Youth Ranch, transitioning of the adoptions program is a natural consequence of operating as a social service non-profit in the recession. “In the current economy, the Idaho Youth Ranch--like many non-profits providing social services—is seeing an increase in needs for services and a decrease in funding for those services. The logical step is to find ways to be more efficient and/or collaborate with other agencies. It makes sense for us to transition our Boise program and staff to another Boise agency. The Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions office in Coeur d’Alene will remain open and will continue to provide adoption and foster care services in North Idaho. I’m also confident that current and future Treasure Valley adoption clients will experience the same high quality service with A New Beginning that they have come to expect from the Idaho Youth Ranch.
Since 1983, the Idaho Youth Ranch has worked with birth parents and adoptive parents to provide loving, stable homes for newborns and children through the miracle of adoption. The first office opened in Boise in 1983 and expanded to Coeur d’Alene in 2002. The Coeur d’Alene office will continue to provide services to both adoptive parents and birth parents and also manages a foster care recruiting and training program through a state contract. Counselors and social workers in the North Idaho office remain available 24/7 to provide comprehensive services for many types of adoptions including: Infant Adoption; Trans-Racial Adoption; Foster Adoption; Special Needs Adoption; Relative Adoption; International Adoption; Step-Parent Adoption; Independent Adoption; and Embryo Adoption Home Study.
An integral part of the agency’s mission to serve Idaho’s at-risk youth and their families, Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions supports birthparents who often are at-risk youth seeking counseling and other services, and places special needs and foster children in safe and nurturing homes through the adoption process.
For more information on the Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions program and services, please visit the web site at: youthranch.org or contact the North Idaho office at (208) 667-1898 or via e-mail at: deuler@youthranch.org
Idaho Youth Ranch Announces Closing of Substance Abuse Program Location at Harbor House in Idaho Falls
August 11, 2009 - The Idaho Youth Ranch, a non-profit statewide organization serving Idaho youth and families for over 50 years, announced today that it is closing the Idaho Falls location of its residential substance abuse treatment program for youth. The program has served Idaho youth and families in a residential setting in a group home known as “Harbor House” since 2001. Harbor House has served the needs of vulnerable youth since 1963 and merged with the Idaho Youth Ranch in 2001 to provide substance abuse treatment to youth.
According to Senior Vice President for Programs Robert Ball, Ph.D., the economy, funding issues and availability of resources for youth are behind the closure. “As a non-profit agency operating in an extremely harsh economic climate, we have made the difficult decision to close the Idaho Falls location of our residential substance abuse treatment program for youth. We have subsidized the program at Harbor House since 2001, and our decision to close this location is twofold. We have limited funding sources; and there are other resources available to support youth needing substance abuse treatment in eastern Idaho.”
Residential substance abuse treatment for youth is still available in North Idaho at Anchor House and in the Treasure Valley at Discovery House. These programs are open to youth statewide who have a primary diagnosis of substance abuse. The Idaho Youth Ranch also operates the Ranch in Rupert for abused and neglected boys and girls, and Hays Shelter Home in Boise, which provides shelter and support for youth in crisis. Serving over 500 individuals on any given day, the Idaho Youth Ranch supports youth and families in Idaho with residential treatment homes, family counseling services, foster care recruitment and training, and adoptions services.
Harbor House in Idaho Falls Historical Fact Sheet
Location:Harbor House is located in a residential neighborhood at 288 North Ridge Avenue in Idaho Falls. The facility is a historic, post-Victorian mansion owned by the First Presbyterian Church, which has donated the use of the building since the inception of the Idaho Youth Ranch program.
Idaho Youth Ranch Residential Substance Abuse Treatment For You: This program continues to serve youth in need of substance abuse treatment statewide, operating facilities in the Treasure Valley (Discovery House in Nampa) and North Idaho (Anchor House in Coeur d’Alene). For more information on the Idaho Youth Ranch Residential Substance Abuse program serving youth throughout Idaho, please visit the web site at: www.youthranch.org or contact the facilities directly: Discovery House: (208) 467-1750 or gcoburn@youthranch.org Anchor House: (208) 667-3340 or mchristenson@youthranch.org
Idaho Youth Ranch Opens 26th Thrift Store, and First Bargain Center as a Result of Increase in Shoppers and Revenues Retail Revenue up 18% at Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores--Even as Shoppers Spend Less
Feb. 27, 2009--Battered by the recession, most retailers are closing stores. But today--as a result of its success in retail--the Idaho Youth Ranch celebrated the grand opening of its 26th thrift store in Idaho. The new Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store Bargain Center located at 2619 Sundance Boulevard in Nampa specifically targets the needs of Idaho thrift store shoppers, who are increasing in numbers and driving increases in revenue, but spending less when they shop.
“In 2008 we had shoppers making an average purchase of $9.78. The year before, we found that the average purchase was $10.62. However, even though the average purchase was down in 2008, we still managed to achieve an increase of 18% in gross revenues for January 2009 in comparison with January 2008,” says Neal Jones, vice president of Retail Operations for the Idaho Youth Ranch. “This increase in revenue is a reflection of sales from all businesses under Retail Operations which includes thrift stores, bargain centers, vehicle lots, distribution/recycling, and E-Books,” adds Jones.
And if one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, then the Idaho Youth Ranch is fulfilling the dreams of thousands of treasure hunters with the opening of this newest bargain center format for its thrift stores. The Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store Bargain Center in Nampa reflects rock bottom pricing, where most items like clothing, books and records are priced at 50 cents or less, and the bulk of merchandise such as linens, purses, and knick knacks are sold by the pound—most at 50 cents or less per pound. Large items such as furniture, appliances, electronics and vehicles won’t be sold at the Nampa Thrift Store Bargain Center. However, these items are available at the Nampa and Caldwell Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores.
Low prices help consumers save, but Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores do so much more, according to Jones, “In keeping with affordable pricing, the recycling of used goods, new employment opportunities for Idahoans, and additional funding for programs that serve at-risk youth and families in Idaho, the Idaho Youth Ranch is continuing to expand retail outlets, even in the midst of an economic downturn.”
Idaho Youth Ranch retail expansion plans in 2009 also include a relocated and expanded store in Coeur d’Alene, a new used car sales lot in Caldwell, and the expansion of online collectible sales in its E-Commerce division.
Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores also serve as sites for donations of gently used items such as clothes, dishes, books, electronics, appliances and furniture. Vehicles, boats, motorcycles and even airplanes are donated to the Idaho Youth Ranch, providing a valuable tax deduction and tax credit to donors and an exceptional bargain for shoppers. For more information on thrift store locations and hours, please visit the Idaho Youth Ranch web site at www.youthranch.org
Idaho Youth Ranch Celebrates Opening of 25th Thrift Store as Part of Statewide Retail Expansion Ribbon Cutting slated for Friday, January 16 at 11 am
January 16, 2009--A sign of the times and the resulting increase in bargain shopping, the Idaho Youth Ranch is in the midst of a retail expansion in the Treasure Valley and beyond, celebrating the grand opening of its 25th thrift store at 3621 Overland Road in Boise on Friday, January 16 at 11 a.m.
Idaho Youth Ranch retail expansion plans in 2009 also include a relocated and expanded store in Coeur d’Alene, the launch of the first ever Idaho Youth Ranch Bargain Center in Nampa, a new used car sales lot in Caldwell, and the expansion of online sales in its E-Commerce division.
According to Neal Jones, vice president of Retail Operations for the Idaho Youth Ranch, expansion of thrift stores in the Treasure Valley is part of a larger plan to capture the increasing popularity of thrift stores, which indirectly increases funding for programs serving at-risk youth at Idaho Youth Ranch residential treatment programs like Hays Shelter Home in Boise and Discovery House in Nampa. “Because the economy is motivating more people to shop at thrift stores, we are expanding our space and locations throughout Idaho. During Fiscal Year 2008 we experienced thrift store sales increases of about 10 percent. I would attribute this increase to the following changes taking place in Idaho and nationwide: new generations and old generations are embracing recycling and the preservation of dwindling resources; consumers have a better understanding of the less fortunate as they face their own uncertain futures which endears them to be more generous and donate to thrift stores; and the current downturn in our economy drives bargain shopping. From a community benefit perspective, increased sales at our thrift stores will enable us to serve more at-risk youth in Idaho and expand employment opportunities to more Idahoans,” says Jones.
Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores also double as donation centers where gently used items such as clothes, dishes, books, small appliances and furniture are resold at affordable prices. Vehicles, boats, motorcycles and even airplanes are donated to the Idaho Youth Ranch, providing a valuable tax deduction and tax credit to donors and an exceptional bargain for shoppers.
In fact, donations were up in 2008, says Jones. “As a non-profit that relies on thrift store revenue to fund programs, we can never have enough donations. However, 2008 was an incredible year for donations, where we realized nearly a 40 percent increase in 2008 when compared to 2007 numbers. We are grateful to donors for this continued generosity, which allows us to help more at-risk youth and their families.”
Even though donations are up, Jones reminds Idahoans that the success of non-profits like the Idaho Youth Ranch are contingent on continued donations. “As a non-profit, we appreciate every donation and will continue to seek more item and cash donations to support the increasing needs in our communities,” says Jones.
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The Idaho Youth Ranch announced the appointment of Ron Sargent as chairman of its board of directors. Sargent previously held the position of board vice chairman, and served on the Idaho Youth Ranch Foundation Board. In this new role, Sargent will drive three key initiatives for the Idaho Youth Ranch: expand the services and programs for at-risk youth and their families throughout Idaho; enhance the quality of services and programs; increase funding for services and programs by expanding the donor base and the thrift store network; and educate Idahoans about the overall value that the Idaho Youth Ranch brings to families and communities throughout Idaho. Sargent currently owns and operates several residential and commercial development companies in Idaho. Previously, Sargent managed infrastructure development, marketing, banking and cash management for Bank of America. Sargent also coached the Women’s U.S. Olympic team during their pursuit and consequent success at winning gold and bronze medals during the 1972 Winter Olympics in Japan.
Barbara Perusse The Idaho Youth Ranch has elected Barbara Perusse of Sandpoint to its board of directors. An advocate for vulnerable children, Perusse was a Family Services Investigator for the State of Missouri for 11 years and volunteered her time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children involved in court proceedings in Northern Idaho for 20 years. She also served on the CASA board of directors and was board president for Kinderhaven--a shelter for abused and neglected children in Sandpoint—for ten years. A small business owner, Perusse manages two Verizon stores with locations in Sandpoint and Anacortes, Washington. Perusse holds a master’s degree in psychology from Webster University in Kansas City, and a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Central Missouri State University.
John V. Evans III The Idaho Youth Ranch has elected John V. Evans III of Boise to its board of directors. Evans began his banking career with D.L. Evans Bank in 1992 as a part-time bookkeeper and teller for Burley- and Rupert-based offices. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Idaho, Evans returned to D.L. Evans Bank, where today he oversees the Treasure Valley region as an executive vice president. Evans brings over 16 years of financial experience in the banking industry to the Idaho Youth Ranch, as well as fundraising and networking expertise. Passionate about helping Idaho children and families, Evans will focus on the financial sustainability of programs supporting at-risk youth and families.
Pam Ahrens The Idaho Youth Ranch has elected Pam Ahrens of Boise to its board of directors. In this role, Ahrens will apply her experience and skills to developing the next generation of services to Idaho's at-risk children, and help these children become productive and creative members of Idaho's communities. Her experience includes 14 years in the Idaho House of Representatives and 12 years as director of the Idaho Department of Administration. Ahrens also owned and operated a small business for ten years and taught at the elementary school level. She holds a BA in elementary education and is active in a variety of volunteer work.
BEST LOCAL SECONDHAND STORE Idaho Youth RanchA new winner has emerged in the secondhand store category, and that winner has a larger mission. The Idaho Youth Ranch uses proceeds from the stores all over the state to fund residential treatment for at-risk youth, family counseling, education scholarships, community transition programs, adoptions and foster care services. IYR receives loads of donations, making it a little slice of heaven for secondhand shoppers who live to pick through discarded treasures. The stores are clean, well-organized and staffed by friendly clerks. Various locations, youthranch.org. Second Place: Lux Third Place: Savers
BEST LOCAL CD/RECORD STORE Record ExchangeThis downtown institution would probably take first place honors if there were 10 local CD stores. The RX carries an amazing selection of music including plenty of stuff from local musicians. The coolest thing about the store—besides the fact that it shares square footage with The Edge, the place to find the hippest, trendiest jewelry, T-shirts, posters, rock 'n' roll merchandise and vinyl toys—is that, like the name indicates, you can actually buy records there, too. Plus, owners Mike Bunnell and Jill Sevy keep a constant flow of in-store performances, and some bands make it their only Boise stop. The Record Exchange has been serving local music lovers for three decades. Here's hoping Bunnell and Sevy's kids want to take over the family business someday so we'll be taken care of musically for another 30 years. 1105 W. Idaho St., 208-344-8010, therecordexchange.com. Second place tie: CD Merchant and the Idaho Youth Ranch