Buenas Vidas Youth Ranch

Staff

Volunteers

Events

The Oak Tree represents our mission. The strong trunk is the base that supports the many branches. The branches reach out to yet more branches which nourish the leaves. The leaves shade the grass and shelter the birds. The Oak brings relaxation and peace. The roots are a reflection of the branches. Each root being a strong hold with fingers of strength, depending on others, while constantly giving all that it gets to strengthen another. There are so many people that have been touched by the existence of what originally began as a home for kids, today it is so much more that no one person alone can know the span of people that are being blessed by its existence. Sometimes one may feel as though they are the trunk, sometimes we are the leaves, but the tree grows for generations, and will be the hallmark of home, family and shelter. In its final act, the oak will become the most sought after firewood used to warm the heart, perfume the air and bring the love of the country life into the heart. Buenas Vidas Youth Ranch began as the dream of a safe home for teenage boys and girls. Today it continues to follow that dream.

Buenas Vidas Youth Ranch was incorporated in 1974, by Boyd (Butch) and Ruth Shattuck as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation. BVYR has continually operated group homes and other programs for youth since that time. These programs have all been operated in the Livermore / Pleasanton / Dublin areas of California and through the years have served thousands of teenagers.

Buenas Vidas currently operates a licensed Group Home for teenage boys. The facility sits on 5 acres, 6 miles southeast of Livermore. There are several small animals and miniature horses being raised on site which are part of a developing program in which the house residents help maintain the animals and show them to various groups of younger children from the community. These groups will include handicapped, low income, preschool students, elementary school students and others.

A mentoring Program for the house residents and other young people in the community is also well along in the planning stages.

Buenas Vidas is governed by a Board of Directors who represent all facets of the community. This Board of Directors oversees operations, sets policy and helps develop services appropriate to the needs of today's youth.

Currently serving on the Board of Directors are:

Boyd Shattuck	Founder and Group Home Administrator
Ruth Shattuck	Founder
Rev Al Williams	Pastor
Ken Jacobsen	Marketing Consultant
Linda Hadley	Photographer
Peter Patterson	Consulting Engineer
Bill Sutcliffe	Physicist, retired
Ron Greenslade

Buenas Vidas Thrift Store, 116 N. "L" Street (at the corner of Railroad street) Livermore CA.94550 - 925/449-1177