Idaho Youth Ranch Counseling & Therapy Center

10/17/2026

Tears, anger, or a slammed laptop over homework can look like a teen who doesn't care. More often, it's a teen who feels overwhelmed and stuck.

Understanding what's behind the struggle is the first step toward helping them feel capable again. You don't have to figure this out alone.

Learn more:

When a teen who used to manage school fine starts struggling, falling behind, refusing to go, or shutting down over homework, it's natural to feel confused and concerned. Academic challenges aren't always about effort or intelligence. Stress, anxiety, learning differences, social pressure, and emoti...

10/16/2026

A little laughter goes a long way! 🎤

Join us on Tuesday, October 27, for Comedy After Hours, an evening of laughter, connection and community!

Hosted by Sorren , the event brings together local businesses and community members for a fun twist on networking. We're excited to be this month's featured nonprofit and share a little more about the work happening at Idaho Youth Ranch.

📅 October 27 | 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 101 S 27th Suite 100 | Boise
🎟️ Tickets are just $10!

We hope to see you there! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-after-hours-not-your-average-networking-event-tickets-1997595390587

10/16/2026

"How was your day?"
"Fine."

Sound familiar? Conversations often get harder during the teen years, and it doesn't mean you've lost your connection. Learn why it happens and small ways to open the door.

Learn more:

There's a particular kind of loneliness that comes from living in the same house as someone you used to be close to and feeling like you can't reach them anymore. If you're watching your teen pull away, retreating to their room, shutting down conversations, or turning every interaction into a confli...

10/14/2026

One in three teens will face an anxiety disorder by age 18.

If worry seems to be running your child's days, sleep, or friendships, there are steps you can take, and support is available. Start with our guide for parents.

Learn more:

If your teen seems constantly on edge, avoids situations that used to be easy, or struggles with worries that won't quit, you're not imagining it. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges facing Idaho's young people today. The fact that you're here, looking for answers, already say...

10/12/2026

Phones, gaming, and social media are part of being a teen today. The real question is whether time online is changing your teen's mood, sleep, or friendships.
https://www.youthranch.org/parent-concerns/social-media

10/12/2026

Last week, our North Idaho community showed up in a big way. 💛🍦

Panhandle Cone & Coffee 's Free Ice Cream Day raised $6,680 for Idaho Youth Ranch Adoption Services.
We’re so grateful to Jason and Stephanie Dillon, the entire Panhandle team, and everyone in Moscow, Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint who stopped by, enjoyed a scoop and chose to give.

These funds will help support birth families and adoptive families throughout the adoption journey, including counseling, home studies, placement and ongoing support.

Thank you for helping make this work possible for Idaho families!

10/08/2026

Today is DAF Day! 💙

Donor-advised funds are one of many ways you can support Idaho youth and families. Swipe through to learn more about DAFs and other ways to give, or visit our planned giving website to learn more:
👉https://youthranch.giftlegacy.com/

10/06/2026

We asked our partners, “Why Idaho Youth Ranch, why this community, and why Unite for Hope?” Here’s what Chase shared 👇

Chase’s Commitment to Idaho Youth Ranch & Unite for Hope

At Chase, supporting Idaho Youth Ranch is about investing in the future of our community. We believe every young person deserves the tools and opportunities to thrive, and our partnership allows us to empower youth with real-world financial skills.

Our recent back-to-school college planning workshop at Hays House was a true highlight—providing backpacks was just the beginning. The real impact came from engaging with high schoolers about Fast Forward Funding for dual-credit courses, strategies to boost their GPA for Idaho Launch Scholarship eligibility, and breaking down the FAFSA process. Watching their confidence grow as they discovered new opportunities was incredibly inspiring and stands out as some of the most meaningful work I’ve had the privilege to be part of.

Community, to us, means showing up, sharing knowledge, and creating pathways for success together. It’s about building relationships and making sure every young person knows they have support.
We invite others to join us on October 15—not just to give, but to be part of a movement that changes lives and strengthens our community for generations to come!

At Idaho Youth Ranch, we are grateful for the investment in hope for generations to come! And that’s why the Idaho Youth Ranch's Unite for Hope Gala matters.

Be part of the hope ✨

10/05/2026

Free Ice Cream Day is happening all day tomorrow at Panhandle Cone & Coffee , and Hillary, our Adoptions Program Manager, will be at the Coeur d’Alene location from 2–7 p.m.

Hillary and her team support both birth families and adoptive families throughout the adoption process. That can include maternity counseling, home studies, placement support, post-placement supervision and ongoing resources for families long after an adoption is finalized.

One thing Hillary emphasizes about the program is that the goal is never to push someone toward a particular decision. The team’s role is to provide education, advocacy and support so families can make the choice that is right for them and their child.

Come grab a free scoop, meet Hillary and learn more about the program. Tips and donations throughout the day will benefit Idaho Youth Ranch Adoption Services.

Free Ice Cream Day is also happening at Panhandle locations in Moscow and Sandpoint.

10/04/2026

Last year, 130 families received support through Idaho Youth Ranch Adoption Services, from counseling and home studies to placement and ongoing support.

Since 1983, our team has helped birth parents, adoptive parents and adopted children navigate adoption with resources and support they can return to for years to come.

This Tuesday, October 6, you can help keep that support available. Tips and donations from Panhandle Cone & Coffee Free Ice Cream Day will benefit Idaho Youth Ranch Adoption Services.

Stop by in Moscow, Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint, enjoy a free scoop and help support families across Idaho. 🍦

09/07/2024

Advocates, Friends, and Healers of Hearts!

This is your chance to see where the magic happens. We’re hosting Job Open Houses at our Residential Center for Healing & Resilience, and we want you to experience what it’s like to make a real impact. https://bit.ly/4dNh99Q

Join us on:

📅 September 12 | 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
📅 September 24 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📅 October 1 | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Bring your resume. Meet the team. Learn more about how you can grow your career in helping vulnerable youth and families heal.

Got a degree? Great! No degree? No problem. We have opportunities for people at all stages of their careers and are invested in helping YOU grow.

If you’re passionate about changing lives, don’t miss this chance to join us. Walk the campus, meet our leadership, and explore the opportunities available. Your heart and skills could be the key to helping a child heal

We hope to see you there!

07/11/2024

Recently, our clinical team shared a story that reminds us of the profound impact of their work, even when they least expect it.

+++

One of our therapists was working with a client who loves gaming. She had spent the entire hour talking about the specific game the youth played.

She would reference the creatures, the decisions, and the battles, asking the client – "Who would that character represent in your own life? What type of battle does this remind you of in your life? Who is the creature that is supporting you?". Using the context of his favorite game, he began relating it to personal experiences.

At the end of the session, so matter of factly, the client said to his therapist, "At the end of the day, it is about Good vs. Evil, and my battle right now is battling my loneliness.""

This was a huge revelation for the youth. With the help of his therapist, he was able to feel comfortable enough to begin opening up, processing his emotions and recognize the first battle in his quest towards healing.💙

These are the kind of moments we live for at Idaho Youth Ranch - helping kids find hope and build resilience one step at a time.

02/14/2024

This Valentine's Day, let's spread more than just love; let's sow seeds of kindness and acceptance. 💖 From our hearts to yours, we want to lead the way in showing that mental health matters and that every person deserves understanding and support. 🌱

Together, we can create a community where every Idaho youth and family feels valued and accepted, today and every day.

12/29/2023

More holiday fun across Idaho Youth Ranch 🎄☃️ A few weeks ago, Chef Lou and his team returned to Hays House to prepare a beautiful (and huuuge) holiday meal for the youth. Topping off the delicious dinner and dessert, youth and members of our team spent time making ornaments and celebrating the holiday season together. Even Maeve was wiped out from all the fun.

12/27/2023

It's been a fun few weeks across our organization with a mix of holiday activities. At our Residential Center for Healing & Resilience, youth have decorated gingerbread cookies and constructed their own (graham cracker) houses. We couldn't leave out the festive outfits from the team, either...

What's been your favorite holiday activity?

12/27/2023

As the holiday season begins winding down, we're reminded of the simple comfort of staying in, spending time with family, and slowing down.

For nearly 100 Idaho youth over the last year, that comfort wasn't something they knew. Your support helped provide them a safe place after fleeing from abuse, neglect, or dysfunction.

You can help support those youth when you donate to Idaho Youth Ranch Hays House during Avenues for Hope.
Now through Dec 31, your generous donation will be doubled dollar for dollar up to $20,000 during Avenues for Hope 2023 by our friends at the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation.

When you support Hays House, you are helping young people with the love and support they need to navigate incredible challenges. Here are just a few of our favorite shots from Hays House and the joy we're able to bring to youth who need it most.

DONATE NOW: https://bit.ly/41zDiTV

12/21/2023

The support from our communities never ceases to amaze! Generous donations have been pouring in across the state for our annual Giving Tree program. From individual and company-wide contributions to gift-wrapping parties where volunteers donate their time to help make the holiday a little brighter for Idaho youth and families, our supporters' love and effort bring lasting joy to our organization. ☃️🎁

Each December, local partners and businesses host and display special Christmas trees with tags holding gift wish lists from kids in the care of the Idaho Youth Ranch and their families.

Thank you to ALL of our tremendous donors!

🎄Albertsons
🎄Boise Exchange Club
🎄Boller's Automotive
🎄Clenera
🎄Coeur d'Alene Dental Center
🎄Frontier Credit Union
🎄Great West Engineering
🎄Hayden Beverage
🎄Idaho Central Credit Union
🎄Marsh McLennan
🎄Old Navy
🎄Scheel's Meridian

and more!

12/21/2023

This holiday season, empower your teens with resilience while nurturing emotional strength and growth. Discover valuable tips for creating a supportive environment, building traditions, handling stress, embracing teachable moments, and navigating family dynamics. Let's make this holiday season a time of lasting growth and joy for your family! ❤️
https://bit.ly/41DW0JZ

12/13/2023

📣 TODAY IS THE LAST DAY NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL NON-PROFIT!

Scheel's Meridian is giving away $2,000 to 5 local charities this holiday season! By nominating Idaho Youth Ranch, you can help support our mission to provide accessible services and programs to youth and families in Idaho that nurture hope, healing, and resilience.

Follow the link to nominate Idaho Youth Ranch: https://bit.ly/3RCi83W

12/12/2023

Have you heard of our Youthworks program?

Many people know us for our thrift stores, but Idaho Youth Ranch is much more than that. Our thrift stores are an essential part of our organization that provides affordable, gently-used items to our community. In addition, the thrift stores help fund our programs and services that support Idaho youth and their families.

Youthworks is our job readiness program that gives young people hands-on training to succeed in the workforce. This 8-week paid training program is available to youth ages 14-24 within 30-40 miles of our Emerald Street location in Boise.

The next sessions will start in January and March, so apply NOW!

Get more info and fill out the application: https://bit.ly/46U60Qp