BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — On July 18, 2022, over 100 Idaho Youth Ranch employees fled their corporate office and distribution center when a three-alarm fire broke out in the yard next to the building.
According to a recent news release, the nonprofit will celebrate the community at a commemoration event on July 18, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at 5465 W. Irving in Boise.
"Idaho Youth Ranch is all about turning adversity into resilience and knowing that it takes support to make that happen," stated Scott Curtis, CEO of Idaho Youth Ranch. "For our kids, that means connecting them with caring adults and proven therapies that help them heal. For our organization, it meant the community rising around us to keep this organization strong."
The building on Irving still shows damage from the fire. However, the buildings have been cleaned and reopened, and the team is back working hard on campus.
"Because all of the inventory in the warehouse was damaged or destroyed, our thrift stores haven't been able to generate the funds they normally do, which directly impacts our program funding," Curtis said. "That's where the community comes in. Private donors from throughout Idaho came forward. Hundreds of amazing people donated to keep our programs and staff whole, and that's exactly what we did. We kept all our programs going throughout this crisis and ensured that no staff member missed a paycheck due to the fire."
The nonprofit says they could not have done it without the generosity of its friends and neighbors, including the Boise Fire Fighters, who fought the flames for nearly a week, Interfaith Sanctuary, who lent space for a temporary distribution center, St. Alphonsus, who donated office space for their corporate team and the City of Boise, who has been a great partner in rebuilding.
"It's truly humbling to see the community come together for our mission and our kids," Curtis said. "We could not be more grateful."
The nonprofit says they are still working with their insurance provider on the recovery. The Idaho Youth Ranch encourages the community to continue shopping in their stores to find good deals on great products.
"Every purchase helps an Idaho kid," Curtis added. Later this summer, Idaho Youth Ranch is celebrating the Grand Opening of its newest program, the Residential Center for Healing and Resilience, which will provide long-term residential care for youth ages 11-17.
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