A Benevolence Highlight
Salem4Youth is a faith-based residential setting for young men who need encouragement. It was founded in 1896 with the stated purpose, “to build and maintain a home for orphans and other destitute children, and for giving them industrial and religious training, and a common school education.”
The founders believed that if Christ was the center of all things, Salem4Youth Ranch would be able to serve the needs of the children placed in its care. The idea came to fruition through the generosity of Daniel & Mary King, who donated their 100-acre farm as a site for Salem Orphanage (as it was originally named). The current facility is located on 50 of those acres near Flanagan, Illinois. In 2006, Salem became a licensed boarding school under the Illinois Board of Education. In 2011, the Board of Directors approved Salem4Youth as their official name.
Today, the ministry focuses on young men ages 12-17 and their families. Salem’s mission is “to provide a safe and nurturing Christ-centered environment where young men between the ages of 12-17 can learn life skills that will better prepare them to function successfully in society. We minister to them on the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual level, with emphasis on the spiritual.”
Boys who come to Salem require alternative methods of training and a structure to help them realize a better way of living. Surrounded by corn and soybean fields, the campus is free from many distractions of our daily culture, giving the staff an opportunity to get the boys’ attention from the first day they arrive. Although they have internet and TV, both are tightly monitored, and students are not allowed to have cell phones. The young men live communally in cottages, generally with two students per room.
The ranch is a place where boys can feel comfortable enough to open up and “peel back the onion” on important life issues. Many times, these interactions lead to significant heart change and healing. The program has a few key components, including:
- Counseling – while a young man is at the Ranch, both he and his family take part in regular Biblical counseling on-site. This counseling is mandatory and an essential part of the reconciliation process.
- Addiction Recovery – the Addictive Habits Counseling Program addresses core issues that families face as they grapple with the addictive tendencies of their child.
- Education – Salem4Youth’s on-campus school is named Valor Junior/Senior High School. Their creative approach to education includes a mix of instructional, relational, and vocational training. Students come from different places academically, and the program allows for their unique pace and appropriate grade level. As a result, and because the students attend school year-round, many boys leave Salem ahead in their studies.
- Vocational Training – provides hands-on experience that engages all five senses and multiple areas of the brain. It also exposes students to potential career opportunities. Classes include:
- Equine (learning various horsemanship skills)
- Welding (both MiG and stick)
- Photography (digital camera)
- Woodworking (basics of safe woodworking)
- Apiary (beekeeping)
- Archery (finer points of archery and bow hunting)
- Music (learn/refine music skills)
- Athletics – physical activity is a big part of mentoring and developing young men, teaching them skills like discipline and teamwork. Many students come from larger schools with limited opportunities to participate in sports. But at Salem, students are encouraged to join in every sport offered. The athletic program includes basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, track and field, swimming, dodgeball, bowling and disc golf. They also participate in the IIAA (Illinois Inter-agency Athletic Association) Conference.
Salem4Youth is a 501c3 organization that receives no state or federal aid to operate their program. They let their needs be known and trust the Lord for His provision. They will accept cash, checks, credit cards, ACH transfers or PayPal. They’ve also established a legacy fund so folks can support the ministry for years to come. The Morton Community Bank Foundation manages the Salem4Youth Legacy Fund. For more information, please visit https://mortoncommunityfoundation.org/salem4youth-fund.
They also facilitate several annual events to promote the organization and raise necessary funds. These events include:
- Fore The Boys (annual golf outing)
- Bids Blessing Boys (annual auction)
- Ministry Update Banquet
Info Source:
Salem 4 Youth
About The Benevolence Committee
The Benevolence Committee exists to amplify and uphold our “Benevolence” core value and serve as a bridge between employee-owners and the charities we regularly support. Salem 4 Youth is one such organization. Look for upcoming events on the Dashboard and contact the committee with any questions or comments via benevolencecommittee@nussbaum.com.
