Assisting troubled youth

Home On The Range is celebrating 75 years of helping children. There’s a rich history at this working therapeutic ranch and their ministry for troubled youth. 

Father Elwood Cassedy, ordained for the Bismarck Diocese in 1944, had dreamed of opening a country home, a version of “boys town,” for boys, who needed structure and guidance. He wanted to help them before they could get into trouble—offering them instead work, education, spirituality and responsibility.

It was December 1949 when Father Elwood Cassedy received word that Ed and Emma Lievens donated their farm of 960 acres just west of the Badlands near Sentinel Butte for a home for boys. Earlier that year, in June, Father Cassedy, the quiet, diminutive and perpetually smiling priest spoke in Deadwood, South Dakota at the convention of the North and South Dakota Fraternal Order of Eagles. Father gave his report as chairman of the youth guidance committee. During his talk, he mentioned his dream, and the idea caught on immediately. A small collection taken that day helped him get his start for Home On The Range (HOTR). 
  
He had experience working with delinquent boys and wanted to build a place where boys could go, be safe and receive an education. In an article dated January 1, 1950, in the Dakota Catholic Action, Bishop Ryan confirmed the donation of the farm. Folklore stories passed down for generations of executive directors at HOTR say Bishop Ryan accepted the donation on two conditions 1) the Bismarck Diocese would not help financially support the organization and 2) that he could choose the name. He named it Home On The Range because allegedly that was his favorite song. 
  
Father Cassedy began fundraising for a building designed to house the boys. This ranch style house would include a kitchen, dining hall, recreation room, chapel and 40 dormitory style rooms for the boys. Archive files showed the estimated cost at the time was $80,000. 
  
The fundraising campaign was publicly announced, and immediately financial donations and in-kind items were given. Area ranchers got together and were able to give Father Cassedy his first herd of cattle—50 head of purebred Herefords. Many benefits and fundraisers were organized. The Bismarck Eagles contributed a sizable donation of $5,000. A special event was held in Father Cassedy’s hometown of Jersey City, New Jersey and the event raised $6,000. Father even planned a visit to the campus of Boys Town of Nebraska to learn about their program and try to create his own model for his fledgling program. 

During the construction phase of the building, the first three boys were welcomed and they temporarily lived in a converted wooden granary. By the spring of 1951, he had room for 28 boys. The first staff hired were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Schmitz—he was the general and farm manager, and she was the laundress, cook and nurse. Many individuals and organizations became involved and continued to help Father Cassedy raise money.  

For 10 years, Father Cassedy worked zealously to care for his “family” of young cowboys ranging in age from 12 to 18. He traveled the country speaking to different groups in his fundraising efforts. A heart condition slowed him down, and he was ordered to take a rest. Father Cassedy died on Oct. 15, 1959. He was just 51 years old.
 
Father Cassedy’s legacy
 
Still going strong after 75 years, HOTR is a working and therapeutic ranch for boys and girls ages 12-17. It provides therapy, education, work and recreational opportunities, and spiritual development. It is located near the small town of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. The mission statement reads: “Under the guidance of the Catholic Church, provide a safe home for all youth who have experienced physical or emotional trauma, where every act is done with love to help them discover the dignity of the human person and learn the skills to manage life’s challenges.” 
 
Home On The Range is anticipating special events to mark its history of helping children and families. The facility is under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bismarck, and Bishop Kagan serves as the President of the Board of Directors. To learn more about Home On The Range and the children they care for, visit www.hotrnd.com.