(so much more than just outdoor games, pretty gardens and horses)
Since 1890, Gateways for Youth and Families has been part of the solution to problems for youth and families, offering an entrance or “gateway” to new possibilities and opportunities. Today is no different. Within our unique setting at the Dyslin Ranch, we can help children build character through horsemanship and other traditional rural activities.
Through the Jessie Dyslin Ranch Expansion, a project underwritten by the Gateways Foundation, GATEWAYS is developing facilities to better serve our community, beginning with the 31-acre parcel of land known as the Dyslin Ranch. Facilities and programs to be developed will complement the rural character of the Dyslin Ranch and incorporate the youth development model of GATEWAYS for Youth and Families. To date, our expansion project has upgraded outdoor recreational fields and play yards, helped remove decaying buildings and assisted with renovations of our program facilities.
We are a mission-centered organization. The Ranch Expansion will provide fun and adventure, but it isn't about recreation, as much as it is about teaching. In the end, youth managed agri-business may flourish again at Dyslin Ranch as it did 80 years ago, providing a means for children to earn and learn independent living skills in a values-based environment.
One element of the plan included construction of an outdoor polocrosse field for youth development and enrichment activities.
We have made progress implementing some of our plans and helped establish a home for the local equestrian programs for youth that will help them to meet standards in horse management and care with a curriculum designed to build interpersonal skills and self-esteem.
Our outdoor polocrosse field has been a joint project with the Tahoma Polocrosse Association, the Washington Polocrosse Association and the Washington Pony Club host, whose seasonal clinics and tournaments for children and teens at Dyslin Ranch have grown to national and international participation.
In the future expansion of the ranch, our facilities will grow and develop. Proposed facilities for the ranch include a covered arena and stage, a lodge that will serve as a common area for year-round youth programs and summer camps and a learning-center to replace our existing classrooms and a new visitation center to serve families who are developing skills to manage their co-parenting plans.
Programs will offer youth a variety of options and focus on building relationships through team activities and peer mentoring.
Although the vision for the Jessie Dyslin Ranch Expansion is unique and will offer children opportunities like no other, vision alone will not get the work done. The work of creating the dream ranch where urban and rural children can both learn the values associated with working the land cannot be accomplished alone by the Gateways Foundation and GATEWAYS for Youth and Families. We need other caring individuals and businesses to provide support and financial backing to be successful in converting bare acreage into productive land.
When the Jessie Dyslin Ranch Expansion is complete, the impact on our community will be priceless. However, the community return on investment will be equally significant. For every dollar spent today to help youth development, the community will save $10.51 in the future.
The financial goal of GATEWAYS for the Jessie Dyslin Ranch Expansion is to raise $4 million in three years – a potential investment in excess of $40 million to our community.
If you would like to help, several levels of tax-deductible giving have been established with special recognition for each level. Any level of financial assistance that you can provide will be much appreciated.
The GATEWAYS Foundation is a 501 C3 non profit corporation. The Foundation's tax id # is 31-1642426 and the Foundation's UBI # is 601931811. Please contact the Gateways Foundation office at 253-284-0004; by e-mail at foundation@gatewaysforyouth.org or write to Gateways Foundation, 3505 104th Street East, Tacoma, WA 98446 for more information.
