Sheriffs Name Minier Director of Not-For-Profit Youth Ranch

(BRAZIL) – Indiana sheriffs have officially named former Marion County Sheriff’s Col. Scott Minier as executive director of their new 62-acre Youth Ranch being developed in West Central Indiana. 

Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch board members have named former Marion County Sheriff’s Col. Scott Minier as executive director of their 62-acre statewide educational and recreational retreat under development for future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses and victims of crime. Minier is pictured here with Shannon Keating, a legal intern with ISYR. 

At the Youth Ranch, supportive sheriffs and deputies will mentor future law enforcement officers, bond with at-risk kids and help young witnesses and victims of crime – including surviving children of public safety officials killed in the line of duty. 

Minier, a White County native and Indiana State University graduate, had for more than a year served as ISYR’s interim executive director. 

PLANNING, BUILDING, FUNDING 

“Scott Minier brings a unique blend of talents to the planning, publicizing, building and funding of this vital project to help our kids and Hoosier hometowns,” said former Marion County Sheriff John Layton, who serves as the charity’s board president. “Scott brings local experience as a longtime administrator and spokesman for our sheriff’s office; statewide work on school, neighborhood and workplace safety; national award-winning crime prevention programs and public service announcements; and years of private-sector real estate, marketing and fundraising.”

Layton credited Minier for his “hard work establishing relationships across the state with sheriffs, prosecutors, chiefs of police and school administrators, while also forging partnerships and sponsorships with business and community leaders.”  

SECURING NAMING RIGHTS SPONSORS

Minier said his main focus is to continue securing sponsors for the academy’s six remaining youth cabins, lodge and conference center, horse stable, swimming pool, confidence course, zipline, soccer and softball fields, docks and equipment for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. 

“It’s crucial we quickly build these facilities because it’s there–on the fishing docks for example–that our counselors will casually but seriously talk with teens from across our state about important topics like illegal drugs, violence, cybercrime, and bullying,” said Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton, ISYR’s vice president. 

Stockton said the academy curriculum, based on counselors’ and campers’ years of experience, will reinforce R.A.N.C.H. lessons about respect, animals, nature, character and health. 

“With the help of tax-deductible donations, sheriffs and deputies last year purchased a 62-acre Clay County property featuring wooded, rolling land and three lakes. Some unsafe structures there were demolished with the help of Indiana Department of Correction inmate workers,” said Grant County Sheriff and ISYR Secretary Reggie Nevels. 

An existing veterinary clinic was remodeled, expanded and leased to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security as their Search and Rescue Training Center. A five-bedroom home is being updated as a Lodge and Conference Center and hosted several ISYR events throughout 2019, Nevels said.

HELPING THE YOUTH RANCH OPEN, OPERATE

“Owning the Youth Ranch, rather than renting a venue, will allow sheriffs and deputies to build upon local camps many county sheriffs already host at their local schools and parks,” Nevels said.

For information on how to help the not-for-profit Youth Ranch open and operate, Minier encouraged community leaders and donors to email him at ScottMinier@yahoo.com or call toll-free 833-IN-RANCH.

To DONATE.

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