(775) 475-9255 marvinn@sntr.org
No, it was not an arts and crafts workshop, it was a strategic planning session facilitated by Michael Havercamp, PhD, UNR Professor, College of Cooperative Extension, and a state specialist in group facilitation, mediation, and consultation. He has problem solved for organizations in Afghanistan, Belize, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Serbia. He is a published author and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Thornton Peace Prize from the University of Nevada, Reno. We are very fortunate to have Mike’s support and commitment to help Sierra Nevada Teen Ranch become a reality. Regardless of the results of our strategic planning, it was good to know that our goals and plans have varied little since the beginning. And with Mike’s creative ways, we reestablished and reconfirmed the vision, mission, goals, and plans. To summarize, our vision is to Rescue, Redeem and Restore Young Lives. Our plan is to provide our local at-risk youth with the opportunity for personal and spiritual development in a ranch-type setting. Phase I of the Ranch’s development included developing the board of directors, acquiring our state nonprofit status and federal charitable 501(C)(3) status, and the purchase of land. Having done so, we are now in Phase II – which starts with land preparation, special use permits, and then let the building begin! Our goals are still four ranch homes housing 10 youth each, along with staff and house parents. Additionally, we’ll have a multipurpose/gym/chapel, educational/vocational building, athletic fields, ropes course, equestrian center, gardening, a few chickens, cows, beekeeping, etc. Included in our personal development programs will be gang intervention, anger management, and leadership training. Our educational schooling and vocational programs will be onsite. Spiritual development continues to remain the main theme, along with a variety of recreational and artistic programs. The development will continue in phases as the funds are made available. The purchase price for the 30 acres was $38,000 leaving us about $67,000 toward land development and the building of the first home. All donations are tax-deductible. To find out more about the many ways you can help us, click here to be directed to our donations page. There you will find a list of various ways to donate as well as a button to donate directly from our website After the home(s) are built and the teens settled, placement fees received will significantly reduce our financial needs. Our goal is to build Sierra Nevada Teen Ranch debt-free, allowing for more activities and programs. Our heartfelt thanks to the Boys and Girls Club for selling us the land at such a generous discount.