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In Balance Ranch Academy Happenings Note: The In Balance Ranch Academy Happenings are a semi-monthly update relating the activities and accomplishments of the In Balance Ranch Academy students, staff and faculty. Ranch Update – 04/09/07 Greetings and Howdy from In Balance Ranch Academy. In Balance Ranch Academy is getting ready and looking forward to another set of four Family Weekends, one for each of our Milieus. THANK YOU to all the families who will be attending. CHIRICAHUAS – May 4th – 7th, 2007 Also, a big congratulations to Ugo Uche and Schanna on the birth of their son, Obichukwu Immanuel Uche (“Obi”), born 04/07/07 weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 oz. We are so happy for them. The whole family is doing just fine and Schanna is going home from the hospital today. High School graduation Patrick Barrasso to Present at US Journals Conference on Adolescents "It is both an honor and a pleasure to make this presentation during this particular conference. My experiences over the last 15 years in general and specifically since the opening of In Balance Ranch Academy have taught me a quite a bit about the challenges facing the youth of today. I feel a great need to share this knowledge and these experiences so that others will be equipped to care for youth with treatment methods that have been proven to work." Jeff C. Graduates A graduation at In Balance Ranch Academy is an extraordinary event to witness, especially for the student, but also for that student’s peers and family. A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to see my best friend Jeff graduate from the program. I was sad to see my friend leave; but at the same time, I knew that it was time for him to go. Jeff had accomplished a lot during his stay at the ranch. When I first met Jeff, it seemed like he was always upset about something and that he never had any fun, but he soon turned everything around and began to enjoy life. At that time, Jeff began to help his peers. One of those peers was me. Jeff taught me to try and enjoy life for what it was and not to sweat the small things that happen because after all they are just the small things. I was dreading the day of his graduation for weeks, but when that day came, I knew it was time. That day I got to give thanks to my friend for helping me and also got to share my experience with others that had been touched by Jeff. The day I was dreading for weeks soon became one of the most inspirational days of my life. -Steven S. The following is an article written by one of our astounding students, Hank T., in reference to an outing the Rincons recently participated in with their horses. Four Day Horse Trip On Sunday the 25th of March, the Rincon milieu went on a four day camping trip. Each student brought their horse. The first day we had a lot to do. We set up camp in about an hour. After that, we groomed our horses, saddled them up, and went on a trail ride. We saw some amazing views and had a great trail ride. After about an hour and a half of riding we were back at camp. We grilled chicken over the fire and then followed it up with some smores. The next day we woke up and went through the morning routine of breakfast and horse care. Soon after that we hit the trails again. We rode for about two hours and came to a stop in a dry river bed. Here we ate our lunch of sandwiches and granola bars. After a half hour of lunch time we got back on our horses and continued riding for about another two and a half hours. When we arrived back at camp we had some down time in which most of us played cards or talked amongst ourselves. We then moved our tents to various areas in which would be our “solo sites.” We then returned to the camp fire. Shannon then read all of us love letters that our parents had written us. After the letters we were officially on solo. We were given a bag of food and a packet of letters from our parents and other family members. We went to our solo sites and went to sleep. We would be on solo until 2:00 pm the next day. We all did different things while on solo. Some of us went and groomed our horses, some of us wrote letters, and some of us went sun tanning. We had several assignments to complete on solo. When we were brought off solo we went and saw everyone’s earth sculptures. After that we moved our tents back to our original group spot. Later we sat around the fire and listened to everyone’s assignments that they did. We also talked about our goals on solo and if we accomplished them. We then cooked steaks on the fire. We had down time for the rest of the night. The next day we packed up our bags and got most of our stuff ready to be loaded up. We then went on one last trail ride. It was the same trail that we did the first day, but in the reverse direction. The nice thing about all the trails out there is that they all go in circles. When we got back to camp we loaded everything up and went back to the ranch. Overall it was a very fun trip and I think that everyone got a lot out of it. -Hank T. My Recent Experiences While at the Ranch The last couple of weeks for me here at the ranch have been a lot of fun. Two weeks ago, I went on my first cattle drive. During the summer, we are able to go on them about every two weeks; however, I have never signed up. I finally did and it was the best experience with my horse I have ever had. Four of my peers, staff, and I loaded up the horses early in the morning so we could get an early start. We met the Brosnans (the family that owns the cattle and the ranch), divided into groups, and got ready to go. We spread out using a divide and conquer technique to round up as many cattle as possible. It was great fun doing it; I felt like a real cowboy yelling at the cows and galloping around on my horse. It was amazing. After about two hours, when all the cows were herded into the Brosnan’s pen, we washed off our horses, let them loose on the property to graze, and then went up to the beautiful house for a delicious lunch prepared by Mrs. Brosnan. By the way, did I mention that Mrs. Brosnan is also a champion cat breeder? There are little kittens running around the house everywhere! It was adorable. After we finished lunch, we went down to the pen and worked with the cows! It was very exhilarating because the cows are so energetic and crazy. After a full day, we loaded the horses and drove back to the ranch. It was great getting into bed after that long day! Another activity I experienced with my whole milieu was rock climbing. One of the In Balance therapists, Matt, took us to the Dragoon Mountains (which happens to be my milieu’s name), gave us a tutorial, and then we started climbing. It was a lot of fun climbing up the vertical rock with our hands and feet; I definitely felt a sense of accomplishment when I was finished. Also, it involved a lot of trust since my life was basically in the hands of someone else, the person at the bottom making sure that my safety line was tight so that if I fell, I would not get hurt. This situation went both ways: me having to trust individuals when I was climbing and knowing that I was being trusted as I belayed. All in all, it was a great experience and it is great because each milieu does it once a month so it will be happening often, which I am very excited about. -Matt F. In Balance was honored to sponsor Arts for All, Inc’s Sweet Chair – ity. Arts for All, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that uniquely blends the arts and human services. Arts for All is Tucson's only arts-based preschool, after school program, and day program for individuals with disabilities. In Balance, in collaboration with Arts for All, Inc., promoted an exchange of opportunities for children, teenagers, and young adults attending both programs. Individuals from both In Balance and Arts for All came together through different activities to help each other. Sweet Chair-ity featured chairs created by many of Tucson's local artists as well as other art objects, gift certificates, sports items, etc. To learn more about the Arts for All program, visit them on the web at http://www.artsforallinc.org. Here is an article written by Alex G. on his experience with the Arts for All Sweet Chair-ity. Arts for All Arts for All is an art program for the mentally and physically challenged. In Balance Ranch Academy decided that we were going to do volunteer work in their fundraiser dinner. I was chosen to go and this was very exciting because I enjoy doing service like this. Volunteering for these things helps me to appreciate life and feel good about helping others. When I arrived, I was one of nine people selling things on the bidding tables. Our job was to try to get individuals to bid more on each item. It was great to see all of the individuals that support the program, and even some of the participants of Arts for All. Since I volunteered for this event, I have found interest in doing more work for the same program. Events like these are ones that I will remember forever. - Alex G. Chris Gardner was in Tucson and some of the boys had the opportunity to hear him speak. Here is an article by Mario M. about his experience with Chris Gardner. Chris Gardner Trip The new hit movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, has reached movie theaters around the globe. Even if you have not seen the movie, millions have heard of it. Many people know the star of the film, the struggling single father titled Chris Gardner, as just a name or character performed by Will Smith. A few selected students at In Balance Ranch Academy and many other Tucson residents received the chance to meet the actual man who lived the story of The Pursuit of Happyness. At one of U of A's theaters, Chris Gardner told his life story and shared his willpower to fight for his son and economic freedom in the speedily growing suit and tie America. Mr. Gardner’s story follows right behind the movie, stopping only here and there to share his thought and a little bit of truth. His speech was very moving and sheds light on the toils of everyday life that society often chooses to ignore. I had a really good time and it was a very inspirational story. - Mario M. March, 2007 New Staff Welcome! Kathryn comes to us with 30 years experience in providing psychotherapy to adolescents and their families. She is licensed in Arizona as a Professional Counselor and has two National Certifications as a Certified Counselor and as a Mental Health Counselor. She is comfortable working within the 12-step model of recovery and has years of experience working with addicted youth and adults. Family Weekends at In Balance Ranch Below are statements written by three of our students in reference to some of the happenings at the ranch:
Upcoming Events "It is both an honor and a pleasure to make this presentation during this particular conference. My experiences over the last 15 years in general and specifically since the opening of In Balance Ranch Academy have taught me a quite a bit about the challenges facing the youth of today. I feel a great need to share this knowledge and these experiences so that others will be equipped to care for youth with treatment methods that have been proven to work." - Patrick Barrasso For more information about the conference, please visit: http://www.usjt.com/adl07/index.aspx. Additionally, In Balance is honored to be sponsoring Arts for All, IncÕs Sweet Chair Ð ity. Arts for All, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that uniquely blends the arts and human services. Arts for All is Tucson's only arts-based preschool, after school program, and day program for individuals with disabilities. In Balance is pleased to announce a collaboration with Arts for All, Inc. to promote an exchange of opportunities for children, teenagers, and young adults attending their programs. The hope is that individuals from both In Balance and Arts for All will come together through different activities and help each other. Sweet Chair Ð ity will be held in Tucson at the Skyline Country Club on March 31, 2007, and will feature chairs created by many of Tucson's local artists as well as other art objects, gift certificates, sports items, etc. The goal of the event is to raise $50,000 in funds to provide scholarships for low-income children to attend Arts for All's twelve week Summer Arts Camp. In Balance is looking forward to a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with such a worthy organization. To learn more about the Arts for All program, visit them on the web at http://www.artsforallinc.org. Tickets are available for $50 and we welcome the families of our students to attend. Family Weekend Schedule 2007-2008 CHIRICAHUAS RINCONS DRAGOONS HUACHUCAS
February, 2007 Teens & Drugs in the 21st Century: Treatment Approaches that Work Patrick Barrasso, owner and founder of In Balance Ranch Academy and In Balance Living, will be speaking at the US Journal Training 5th Annual Las Vegas Conference on Adolescents, April 19-21, 2007. The focus of this presentation is on trends in teen substance abuse as well as treatment options. Throughout this presentation will be treatment implications and ways of thinking about adolescents in order to optimize their success. "It is both an honor and a pleasure to make this presentation during this particular conference. My experiences over the last 15 years in general and specifically since the opening of In Balance Ranch Academy have taught me a quite a bit about the challenges facing the youth of today. I feel a great need to share this knowledge and these experiences so that others will be equipped to care for youth with treatment methods that have been proven to work." For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.usjt.com/adl07/index.aspx. In Balance and Arts for All Collaboration Arts for All, Inc. a non-profit corporation, is a unique blend of the Arts and Human Services. Arts for All provides summer/winter arts camps, Tucson's only arts-based preschool an after school program a day program for adults with disabilites, community-wide productions and an esemble company. All of the educationsl training and experiences that the children receive are in the Arts using creative and imaginative ways to improv communication skills, behavior, gross and fine motor skills and educational skills. In Balance provides therapeutic services to men, women, boys, girls and families who are struggling with the challenges of addicition. In balance is dedicated to providing top-quality services that address the four elements of an individual's being: physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Through relapse-prevention traing, a Twelve Step cirriculum and expreiential-based therapy, In Balance strives to bring about a positive change in one's life. In Balance is pleased to announce a collaboration with Arts for All, Inc. to promote an exhange of opportunites for children, teenagers and young adults attending their programs. The hope is that individuals from both programs will come together through activites and help each other. In Balance has also become the main sponsor of Arts for All, Inc.'s signature fundraising event, Sweet Chair-ity. Sweet Chai-ity, to be held in Tucson at the Skyline Country Club on March 31, 2007, will feature chair created by many of Tucson's local artists as well as other art objects, gift certificates sports items, etc. The goal of the event is to raise $50,000 in funds to provide scholarships for low-income children to attend Arts for All's twelve week Summer Arts Camp. In Balance is looking forward to a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with such a worthy organization. To learn more about the Arts for All program, visit them on the web at http://www.artsforallinc.org.
Dragoon Milieu Revives Tombstone Community Ballfield The game of softball is central to Tombstone’s lifestyle today. Tournaments are scheduled to raise funds for many of the non-profit organizations in the community. On July 4th, last year, In Balance Ranch Academy entered two teams into a tournament sponsored by the Knights of Columbus that would benefit the needy of the town. While our teams came in 5th and 6th (out of six teams), everyone - staff and students - felt welcome and had a very fine time. Many of the students commented how they enjoyed the event but the field needed a lot of attention. This past fall the Dragoon Milieu was looking for a community enhancement project. The ball field in Tombstone was selected as something they could do to enrich the community. Since the ball field is owned by the City of Tombstone, a plan was presented at a Tombstone city council meeting and a partnership between the city and the Ranch was proposed. The motion to accept our offer to work on the field was unanimously passed with very little discussion. The Mayor and all of the council members met with Ranch staff and students and expressed a desire to help any way they could. Since then, In Balance Ranch Academy students have been to the field six times to work. They picked up rocks and raked the infield, weeded the perimeter, painted the dugouts, benches, bathrooms, and scorekeeper’s box, replaced trash cans, took down unused scoreboards and are in the process of making new signage with artwork from the Historic Court House Museum. To date, the students have devoted over 130 collective hours to this effort and Patrick and Betsy Barrasso, In Balance Ranch Academy founders and operators, provided several hundred dollars of supplies. David Reazin, an IBRA primary therapist, said, "Now that the city and community see we are serious about this project, our next step is to take the assistance offered by elected officials and citizens we have met and recruit organizations that offered to help initially, such as the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, the Tombstone Vigilantes, etc. Our vision is to completely restore the field with all needed fence repairs, fixing the flag pole, replacing the tin roofs on the dugouts, filling in holes in the parking lots, and generally making the place friendlier to the community." On January 24, 2007, Tombstone Mayor Tom Wright presented each of the students with a hat he personally purchased that read "City of Tombstone, Arizona." Students presented Mr. Wright and Tombstone city worker Mr. Carlos Venezuela with In Balance Ranch Academy water bottles and visors. Ward 3 Councilwoman Stacey Korbek-Reeder was unable to attend but expressed her appreciation to In Balance Ranch Academy staff by phone. In a gesture of reciprocal appreciation for the Dragoon Milieu's efforts, Tombstone businessman Steve Goldstein provided pizza from Big Nose Kate’s for this celebration. Finally, after working for a couple of hours, meeting the mayor and Tombstone City Clerk George Barns, and having lunch provided by Mr. Goldstein, the eleven students played a little softball. This was the first time since July that the students used the field for anything other than a community enrichment project and they hope that the residents of Tombstone enjoy the fruits of their labor as much as they did. The Dragon Milieu of In Balance Ranch Academy wishes to express special thanks to Carlos Venezuela, a city worker that often stayed late and came in on his vacation days to help them with the project.
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