BRAZIL, IND. (Nov. 20, 2019) – Breaking ground on four bunkhouses and a peace chapel marked Indiana Sheriffs’ continued commitment and momentum toward completing their Youth Ranch for future law enforcement officers and at-risk kids.
Turning the ceremonial shovels of soil recently marked yet another productive chapter in the not-for-profit’s historic year.
Donors, supporters, sheriffs and deputies joined ranks at their 62-acre property, which they acquired in April without the use of tax dollars.
Families and organizations stepped forward to fund an inter-denominal house of worship and four cabins:
- Froderman Peace Chapel;
- Baker-Laird Cabin;
- Department of Correction Cabin;
- Minier Cabin; and the
- Sikh Society Cabin.
“The Froderman Peace Chapel will be available to all young leaders who voluntarily wish to visit. Materials will be available and respect will be shown for all major denominations,” said Scott Minier, ISYR’s interim executive director. “Our chapel is being generously gifted by the Froderman family, well known to West Central Indiana residents for their commitment to faith, medicine and service to others.”
Minier said the Baker-Laird Cabin is being built as a memorial to Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Baker and Indianapolis Police Department Officer Jake Laird, both of whom were killed in the line of duty. “Their passion for public safety and the continued honor Central Indiana holds for them and their families are important for our future deputies and police officers to learn and think about.”
“State inmate workers have already been instrumental in our Youth Ranch progress. They’ve helped with our demolition of unsafe and unwanted barns, built picnic tables, cleared tree lines for trails and raised money for our security lights,” Minier said. “Now, they are fundraising inside the prisons to build a Department of Correction Cabin and helping us prefabricate panels for all of our new structures. We are grateful to IDOC Director Rob Carter and Construction Director Kevin Orme for their continued leadership and support. The inmates seem to enjoy helping our vital project and knowing generations of Hoosier teens and their hometowns will benefit as a result.”
Minier Cabin is dedicated to all merit, reserve, jail and civilian employees of Indiana’s 92 sheriffs’ offices. “From 911 dispatchers to detectives, correction officers to clerk typists, they all do their part to keep our schools, homes and workplaces safe,” said ISYR’s Minier, who retired as Colonel of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. “Teens staying in these cabins do not know exactly what public safety roles they may take as adults. They just know they want to help keep Indiana safe. Our Minier family wants to pay tribute to all who sacrifice and serve – sworn and civilian.”
The Sikh Society Cabin is being sponsored by “some of the most patriotic, pro-police Americans I know,” Minier said. “Sikh leaders were the first to step forward and offer to help in this bold not-for-profit effort. We welcome their support and celebrate the diversity their partnership will teach generations of young leaders from families across Indiana.”
For more information about Youth Ranch naming rights on recreation areas and other structures, please call 833-IN-RANCH or email Nancy@SheriffsYouthRanch.us.
