Sacred Heart Ranch of Idaho

SERVICES & ACTIVITIES 

 A Trauma Informed Care Model includes clear expectations, consistent schedules, a supportive environment, confidence building skills, activities that foster insight and self-awareness, physical activities that connect the mind to the body, and activities aimed at empowering survivors to use their own strengths to courageously face new challenges in their life.

LIFE SKILLS
Life skills activities include but are not limited to the following, meal planning and preparation, budgeting, balancing a checkbook/savings account, cleaning/household chores, acquiring a bank account, bill paying, weekly/monthly menu planning as well as prenatal care as needed.  Life skills for young women entering adulthood are essential for healthy functioning into adulthood. By learning essential life skills, young women significantly reduce the possibility of requiring community support and services in the future. These life skills have long-term effects of helping the guests know how to manage their money, develop a work ethic, follow a budget, and maintain a home. 

VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Vocational training activities include but are not limited to the following, ranch chores, basic machinery operation, grounds/landscaping, resume building, job interviewing skills, and job searching.  These activities provide young women the skills needed to acquire and maintain sound employment. This lessens the likelihood that they will end up needing ongoing social services/government support in the future. Vocational training also increases the odds that they will be successful employees in their chosen profession. 

SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Sustainable living activities include but are not limited to the following, organic gardening, canning, sewing, composting, recycling, education on and maintenance of solar panels and windmills for sustainable energy. Sustainable living helps everyone and the environment. By teaching the guests skills centered around sustainable living, we empower them to live a life with a reduced carbon footprint and teach them respect for the environment and the Earth. 

EDUCATIONAL PLANNING
Educational planning activities include but are not limited to the following, academic goal setting, strength identification, and aptitude testing. Educational planning is a shared responsibility between staff, volunteers, and those providing clinical services for the guests at Sacred Heart Ranch including counselors, caseworkers, CBRS (skills) workers, and peer support personnel.  Continuing education benefits everyone. By assisting the guests with academic planning and enrollment, we help them become more employable and increase their odds of gaining employment that provides benefits for them and future families. This lessens the strain on community resources over the long term, reduces risks of recidivism, and empowers young women to be change agents in their communities. 

CONFIDENCE/EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE BUILDING ACTIVITIES
These activities include but are not limited to, self-defense classes, yoga classes, art classes, music classes, horseback riding, physical fitness, animal husbandry, and leadership training. Increasing the emotional intelligence and confidence of young women empowers them in many ways. It increases their independence, improves quality of life for them and future families, it makes them better employees, it decreases the likelihood of criminal activity, it increases the likelihood of fulfilling academic and vocational goals, and increases their overall sense of well-being and confidence. In many different ways, adults who possess these inner qualities improve the overall community. Furthermore, these activities increase the development of strengths and assist guests in recognizing their own self-worth. 

RECREATION 
Recreational activities include but are not limited to the following, swimming, hiking, kayaking, water-skiing, fishing, camping, roller-skating, bowling, movies, community concerts, etc. Recreational activities are an important part of living a balanced life. Helping the guests to engage in the community in recreational ways teaches them respect for the community and natural resources as well as increases their confidence in their own ability to identify and participate in prosocial activities as adults. This reduces the likelihood of engagement with the criminal justice system, it provides education for guests on activities they can involve themselves in with future families, it assists in increasing social skills and social awareness, and reduces stress which is a benefit for the guests in their jobs, schools, and communities. It also empowers them to take ownership in their local community.