Sky Ranch for Boys® opened in 1960 in northwest South Dakota as a way to help trouble-prone boys who had been written off by the courts as incorrigible. It was the dream of the Rev. Don Murray, who believed they could be rehabilitated if they were isolated and provided with the proper care.

 

A Sioux Falls, South Dakota, liquor distributor was among the first to hear of his dream and rallied support from other South Dakota liquor industry leaders. They were able to raise the funds necessary to purchase 3,000 acres of land 100 miles north of Rapid City, South Dakota.

 

There, a ranch was built where thousands of boys were given a second chance. Officials say more than 90 percent had successfully completed the program. During a single school year at Sky Ranch, most boys gained two or more grade levels in the school work they are able to handle.

 

Formed in 1961 and building on more than 57 years of tradition,   Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ is a tax-exempt charitable organization committed to giving at-risk youth a second chance by identifying and offering grants to efficient and effective programs focused on improving the quality of help available to these youth.  Sky Ranch Foundation’s ℠ funds have come largely from individuals and companies associated with the beer, wine, and spirits industries.  Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ continues to strive to be the uniting force within the beverage alcohol industry for aid to at-risk youth and reflects our industry’s great concern and commitment without commercial self-interest or promotion to the youth of America. 

 

In 1987, Sky Ranch for Boys® opened in Sioux City to provide aftercare services to clients returning home from the ranch. Due to changes in state legislation and economic downturn, the actual ranch closed in 2011 but Sky Ranch for Boys® was rebranded as Sky Ranch Behavioral Services to continue meeting the behavioral needs of the youth in the Siouxland area. Sky Ranch Behavioral Services is an Iowa licensed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

 

Today, the programs provided by Sky Ranch Behavioral Services continue to help today's youth grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

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Achieving success is measured through attitude, goals, productivity, confidence, and trust.