Good Samaritan: More than a Ranch

Good Samaritan: More than a Ranch Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Good Samaritan started as on orphanage on a ranch in Brighton, Missouri in 1959. For decades, our program at our Ranch location has been at the core of what we do. However, as we have grown and expanded, we have become much much more than a […]

Holiday Traditions at Good Samaritan

Holiday Traditions at Good Samaritan Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Happy Holidays! This season is one of our absolute FAVORITE times at Good Samaritan. We have so many special holiday traditions and fun activities that truly make this time of year magical. Staff put in hard work to make the season memorable for the youth and families […]

Foster Youth and the Holidays

Foster Youth and the Holidays Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The holiday season is upon us! Lights are glittering across town, Christmas trees have gone up, and classic carols blast on radio stations. For many, this is a time for family, a time for traditions, and a time for giving. The holidays often evoke a sense of […]

Good Enough: A Young Dad’s Journey

Good Enough: A Young Dad’s Journey Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Have you ever felt not good enough? It’s one of the worst feelings! As a new mom myself, I know there are so many new things to learn about raising a child. Well, I have a story to share about Daniel, a young dad who felt […]

Nathan’s Positive Release Celebration

Nathan’s Positive Release Celebration Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Did you know that we have a very special celebration called a Positive Release Meeting for the youth who complete the Specialized Care program at the Ranch? The youth at the Ranch work hard to overcome trauma and resulting behaviors during their time in the program and we always […]

A Christmas Tradition at Good Samaritan

A Christmas Tradition at Good Samaritan Facebook Twitter LinkedIn We have a tradition at Good Samaritan. It goes back over 25 years. A few weeks before Christmas we go out to our camp and hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Then about a week before Christmas, we close the gym to all kids and proceed […]

Positive Release: A Ranch Tradition

Positive Release: A Ranch Tradition Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In my first month at the Ranch, I witnessed what we call a positive release. A positive release is what we call the ceremony conducted when a boy at the Ranch successfully completes the catalyst program and is ready to return to a home. The ceremony is […]

The Eagala Model at Good Samaritan

The Eagala Model at Good Samaritan Facebook Twitter LinkedIn From the time the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch opened in 1959, horses have played an important role in helping youth heal. Today, several staff members at the Ranch are certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, or Eagala. The official Eagala website notes that […]

What Do We Mean by “Activate the Good”?

What Do We Mean by “Activate the Good”? Facebook Twitter LinkedIn I entered the role of CEO for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in 2020. I was given an almost impossible task: following in the footsteps of a titan in the child welfare sector. Kevin Killian, our former CEO, breathed life into this organization 30 […]

How Do We Define Success?

How Do We Define Success? Facebook Twitter LinkedIn How does Good Samaritan define success? Well, it depends. When I first joined Good Samaritan as the Communications Coordinator, I remember that on top of wanting to know more about our programs, I also wanted to know how we define success in those programs. I mean, if […]