Turnaround Ranch Unveils New Disc Golf Course

JOPLIN, Mo. – Turnaround Ranch continues its commitment to improve the overall health of the youths it serves. With the help of Freeman Auxiliary, resident youths now have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with Snowberry Park Disc Golf Course. 

“Through no fault of their own, these children are at Turnaround Ranch because they experienced a tragic event,” said Mary Parrigon, Ozark Center Executive Director. “This donation from Freeman Auxiliary allows the youth to forget about that experience for a time and act like a kid again.”

Freeman Auxiliary granted $15,000 to Turnaround Ranch for the project. Each year, Freeman Auxiliary members raise money through Freeman Gift Galleries, raffles and various events. 

“Turnaround Ranch wanted something to make its facility more inviting to families,” said Linda McIntosh, Freeman Program Manager of Volunteer Services. “We’ve made visual improvements, such as new paint and plants, but they wanted something fun. Laughter is part of the healing process.”

Snowberry Park Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole course in which participants throw flying discs at a target. Like golf, the object of the game is to finish the course with the fewest number of throws. Along with adding physical activity to daily routines, youths are enjoying fresh air.

“Some of these kids didn’t know there was a pond on the property,” said Rono Bowyer, Turnaround Ranch Director. “Now, they can’t wait to go outside to play. Disc golf is mentally therapeutic and provides great physical activity.”

“Sports promote socialization and teamwork,” said Parrigon. “Snowberry Park Disc Golf Course helps these children develop those skills so they can become productive adults.”

Turnaround Ranch is a 72-bed residential treatment facility for adolescents ages 10 to 18. It provides 24-hour care for youths who are experiencing emotional and behavioral problems.

Types of treatment include:

• Trauma
• Depression
• Behavioral dysregulation
• Emotional dysregulation
• Attachment or abandonment problems
• Absence of self-worth
• Sexual acting out
• Substance abuse

Located west of Joplin, Mo., Turnaround Ranch’s 20-acre main campus includes six cottages, a school, a gymnasium and an outdoor recreational area.

Ozark Center – Celebrating 50 Years
An integral component of Freeman Health System based in Joplin, Mo., Ozark Center provides comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adults, and families in an area that includes more than 450,000 residents from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Ozark Center continually looks for innovative ways to address the mental health needs of the community and promote awareness of mental illness in an effort to eliminate the discrimination associated with it. For more information, visit ozarkcenter.com or call 417.347.7600.

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2014, Freeman earned 90 individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. #FreemanTurns90