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Sheriff’s Youth Ranch treats youngsters to painting party
BRAZIL — About 150 students, parents and grandparents were treated to a free pumpkin painting party on Saturday at the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch.
Clay County Sheriff Paul Harden, former Marion County Sheriff John Layton, Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton and Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse hosted the event at their 62-acre youth not-for-profit training retreat for future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses and victims of crime. AT&T Foundation provided support for programming for underrepresented and underserved youth.
Young ghouls and goblins were treated to free pumpkins, paints, desserts, candy and drinks. Adults encouraged organizers to make the free pumpkin painting party an annual event at the Youth Ranch.
Discounts for this year’s event were provided in-part by Baesler’s Market of Terre Haute and Yankee Rose Gardens of Brazil.
Also taking place was a dedication of “Stephanie’s Kitchen,” an impressive room equaling those seen on TV home remodeling shows which will serve as the primary food preparation area as the ranch grows and is able to have more and more children to stay on the premises.
Stephanie Ping died 10 years ago of ovarian cancer, and was a longtime volunteer in helping youth. Her widower is Youth Ranch Senior Chaplain Phil Ping, who works worldwide with Joyful Manna Ministries.
The kitchen was designed and constructed by Laurie Layton of Indianapolis, wife of Ranch board president John Layton (a former Marion County Sheriff).
Some bunk beds have been set up in the former garage of the residence hosting the new kitchen, with plans being made for construction of four cabins which would hold 10 youth each.
The eventual goal of the ranch is to give a place in nature and allow volunteer staff to mentor future deputies, police officers and state troopers, bonding with at-risk kids and helping young victims and witnesses of crime.
Stockton has high hopes for the 62-acres facility, and thinks the need for helping youth in all sorts of undesirable situations is strong.
“This is a great opportunity for young kids in central, northern and southern Indiana,” Stockton said. “Right now, it’s a vision and a dream. There are a lot of entrepreneurs throughout the state of Indiana. I think of Walt Disney. He had a dream of building a multi-billion dollar property in the sand and everybody thought he was crazy. He kept at it and kept at it, and look what it is today.
“This facility can be the same on a smaller scale for kids in Indiana,” Stockton added. “This is to attract kids and to give them some direction in their lives, and to show them what they are capable of doing with the positive influence of police officers and counselors. I am very happy to be a part of it, and there are many sheriffs from throughout the state involved. It takes a lot of commitment from a lot of people.”
The propensity of domestic abuse cases seems to rise each year, and Stockton said that witnesses to crimes like that are one of the largest groups who need what the ranch will offer.
“It’s unfortunate,” Stockton said. “Here in Putnam County, we had a bank robbery in the past couple of weeks. I think of the tellers and the other employees who were in the bank at the time who are ultimately victims of a senseless crime. I think of the emotional impact that has on them. It has a scarring effect, particularly on kids. Social services aren’t always available to these kids.
“A lot of times, we run into young kids in not the best of circumstances and that’s what they remember about the police and law enforcement officials,” he added. “We want to change that dynamic and show them what they are capable of, and encourage them to improve themselves.”
Harden, Layton, Stockton and Plasse serve as volunteer directors of the nonprofit Youth Ranch along with Allen County Sheriff David Gladieux, Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers, Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen, Cass County Sheriff Ed Schroder, Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, Grant County Sheriff Reggie Nevels, La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd, Monroe County Sheriff Brad Swain, Ripley County Sheriff Jeff Cumberworth and Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Phelps. UAW Local 933 President Gary Holmes and Southern Indiana auto dealer John Johns of John Jones Auto Group also serve as board members representing labor and business.
For more information or to donate, email ScottMinier@yahoo.com, call 317-460-4242 or write to Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, 5325 N. State Road 59, Brazil, IN 47834.