Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches 4th Annual Pumpkin Patch October 2021 After a year of cancelled events, we are excited to welcome visitors back to the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches for our 4th annual Pumpkin Patch presented by First Community Bank! Each year, our staff and children work to transform the Ranch into a fall wonderland that is fun for the whole family! This year’s Pumpkin Patch will run from October 1st to October 31. Admission is only $10 and includes one pumpkin per visitor and free access to all of these fun activities: Barrel Train Ride Haunted Forest Hay Ride … Continue reading
Youth Ranch Pumpkin Patch Announced for October
06/30/2021
Ranch Show Team beefs up confidence
06/22/2021
A small cheering section eagerly watched a group of Ranchers at the Independence County Fair as they sternly yet gently guided animals through the show barn. Ranch houseparents, staff members, board member Tyler Griffin and his wife Monica, and Batesville School District administrators patiently awaited the Ranchers’ turns to show lambs. Shirts tucked in, belt buckles shining, and boots polished, the children and teens understood the serious nature of the occasion. There’s a big difference between a show barn at the fair and the barn at the Ranch where the Ranchers care for the animals daily in muck boots and … Continue reading
Summer enrichment program at the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches
05/18/2021
Philip Ives, Chief Operations Officer, recently reflected on 2020. Like all children, the children who call the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches home experienced some tough times throughout the pandemic. As a result, Ives committed to making the summer of 2021 extra special for Ranchers. He felt Ranchers deserved a fun-filled, adventure-packed summer full of learning opportunities. With the support of Ranch staff, he set out to create a fresh Summer Enrichment Program. “We’ve already begun teaching life skills to Ranchers. Designing a true Summer Enrichment Program is one more way to ensure the kids stay busy, active, and engaged this … Continue reading
Help ASYR Receive $5,000 Matching Gift on #GivingTuesday, Dec 1
11/12/2020
What is Giving Tuesday? After Thanksgiving, #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday each year, we celebrate #GivingTuesday. This special day helps demonstrate that holidays can be about both giving and giving back. This year, Citizens Bank will once again be matching gifts on #GivingTuesday. For every dollar donated to the ASYR on December 1st, Citizens Bank will match your contributions up to $5,000! Here are some ways YOU can help the ASYR receive the entire $5,000 matching gift from Citizens Bank on #GivingTuesday: Make an online donation by clicking here. Text the word ranch to 41444, or call 501-940-3440 to make a gift of … Continue reading
Arkansas Children’s Award Goes Virtual for 25th Anniversary
09/30/2020
25th Anniversary Arkansas Children’s Award For 25 years now, the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches has recognized Arkansans who have made outstanding contributions to create better opportunities for Arkansas children. These Arkansans personify in word and deed the ideals of the Ranch, and hundreds have gathered each year to pay tribute to their dedication at the Arkansas Children’s Award Dinner. This year, we are celebrating our 25th anniversary by recognizing ALL of our past Arkansas Children’s Award recipients. Because of these uncertain times, we have made the difficult decision to not gather for an in-person dinner this year. Instead, we will … Continue reading
2020 Youth Ranch Pumpkin Patch Canceled
08/28/2020
ASYR has made the difficult decision to cancel its 2020 Pumpkin Patch due to Covid-19. While we love hosting the pumpkin patch each year, the cancellation was necessary to protect the health of our Ranch boys and girls and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many thanks to our sponsors who have made this event possible each year and to the schools and churches that have brought groups out. The Youth Ranch Pumpkin Patch raises much-needed funds for our mission each year, so if you would still like to support, you may make a gift by clicking here or by texting … Continue reading
From Rancher to High School Coach | Back to School
08/13/2020
Scott remembers, it was a hot summer day when he was removed from his home by the court. He was just 14 at the time. Although leaving home was scary, he felt going to the Ranch couldn’t be any worse than where he was living. Years later, Scott can still recount the trauma of being locked in the sweltering garage or the camper all alone. As one of 5 kids (from multiple sets of parents), things happened that no child should have to experience. After he was removed from his home, he was able to come live at the Ranch. Initially, Scott had anger … Continue reading
Gourmet Guru Grill Giveaway
05/27/2020
We are very excited to offer an opportunity to win this beautiful new Gourmet Guru Grill while benefiting the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches! Details: For every $10 you donate to the Ranch through this special link, you will be entered to win this Deluxe Grill and Metal Rolling Cart from Gourmet Guru Grills. For every $25 you donate, you will receive three (3) entries. Drawing will be held on Friday, June 17, just in time for Father’s Day! Click here to make your gift today The Deluxe Gourmet Guru Grill comes with a handy Metal Rolling Cart, and together they … Continue reading
Spring brings hope in the midst of COVID-19 at the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch
04/30/2020
It’s officially springtime at the Ranch! Children are playing in the yards and fishing at the pond. Shouts of joy ring out. Green leaves, bright buttercups, and pink roses bask in the sunshine. But while the Ranch appears beautiful, the Ranch staff remain aware of the serious health crisis we are living through. We’re keeping the Ranch running during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are challenging times for all of us. The children who call the Ranch home have already lived through their own trauma, child abuse, abandonment, and separation from their biological parents. Now they’re experiencing more uncertainty regarding the … Continue reading