Parented Group Care

Each group home has house parents who are the primary caregivers for the children/youth in the home. They are the ones who form the deepest relationships with the boys because they are living in the same house and modeling positive family interactions.

Rural Setting

     There is a peacefulness about being in the country – less distractions, more space. A place where boys can be boys, and a place that requires physical work to maintain. It’s also a place where children/youth will not be able to run so easily from their issues.

Recreational Programming

     One of the keys to helping boys relieve stress and to positively channel their excess energy, is through outdoor physical activity. It’s also a great way to teach social skills. When is the last time you played ‘rabbits and wolves’, our version of hide and seek in a big field at night with flashlights?

Circle of Courage®

One of the key aspects of our treatment model is found in the teachings of the Circle of Courage®.

“The Circle of Courage® is a model of youth empowerment supported by contemporary research, the heritage of early youth work pioneers and Native philosophies of child care. The model is encompassed in four core values: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. The central theme of this model is that a set of shared values must exist in any community to create environments that ultimately benefit all.”     (exerpt from http://www.reclaiming.com/content/about-circle-of-courage)

Spiritual Opportunities

     Like the infamous 12 Step program acknowledgement of a ‘higher power’, and like aboriginal expressions of spirituality, we believe our lives and our world make the most sense within the context of the spiritual. For us, this is best expressed in following the teachings and the example of Jesus. We offer spiritual guidance through going to church together, through informal conversations about God, and through praying with the boys if they want. 

Community Participation

     Depending on their interests, abilities, and needs we try and connect the boys with community opportunities outside of group home life. Besides attending school in one of the communities, we have boys who attend Cadets, swimming lessons, youth groups, soccer teams, BMX racing, taekwondo, and anything else we can find that will give them a sense that they are a part of life in their community.

Camping and Outdoor Adventures

We provide opportunities during the summer months to go camping and for day trips, where we learn to enjoy and respect nature. We also catch some fish, hike and bike, swim – generally, just have a great vacation!