Gratitude from O'Connell Youth Ranch

"We are grateful for the crisis funds we received from the Foundation and your funders at O'Connell Youth Ranch.    Covid hit and overnight we had almost 30 young men needing to complete the school year on the ranch-we definitely were not prepared for this.  Our homes did not have adequate internet coverage to accommodate the online schooling of all of the young men, so we had to upgrade these capabilities.  We also did not have computers with zoom capabilities, which is how the young men were visiting and staying connected to their families, therapists and case managers so we also had to upgrade several of our computer systems.  Additionally,we have had to increase our effort to keep the young men invested, engaged and entertained on campus so we have been increasing the opportunities on the grounds.  Finally, we have increased cost relating to staffing, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, plus all the additional cost in utilities that the funds are helping us to cover.  
 
What I can tell you is that the young men and staff have really done remarkably well, and none of this would have been possible without the Foundation and its donors generosity.  Thank you dear friends, we are humbled and grateful."
 
Gina Meier-Hummel, LMSW
Executive Director
O'Connell Youth Ranch