Community Response
Over the years Gray Wolf Ranch has established close ties to the Port Townsend community and the work our residents do in town has earned them a fantastic reputation and friendships that endure.
BUSINESSES
SALAL CAFÉ
“Several years ago, we started hiring residents from Gray Wolf to do dishes at our restaurant, The Salal Café. We've been very pleased with the results we've had working with these young men. Many move from dish washer to prep cook, and we've even had two that went on to become cooks here, which is quite an accomplishment as we're an award winning restaurant with a very challenging menu.
Some of the young men are with us for a year or more as they make the transition from the ranch to Wolf's Den to their own places. We've met a lot of really nice boys and have become very attached to them. We're always sad to see them go, but glad to see them go on with their lives and education.”
DOG TOWNSEND
“Our Gray Wolf boys have been an invaluable addition to our new business. They helped us thrive during a period of expansion. We certainly could not have done it without them.”
“Our, so called temporary, volunteers were so conscientious and caring that we ended up keeping three of them on for a whole year, even after they graduated from the program. David, (Big Dog) Matt, and Glenn have been a wonderful addition to our business.”
SKOOKUM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
“Your generous response to our need has helped us immensely. It also allows Skookum Environmental Services the opportunity to share our wealth of human experience with living one day at a time in many capacities. The men and women who work here have a lot to offer besides work experience. I especially wanted to thank “Victor”. Each time he comes out here he listens, he applies himself, he problem solves and interacts with us all.”
JEFFERSON LAND TRUST AND LARRY SCOTT TRAIL WORK PARTY
“Thanks! It has been good to have help on both the Land Trust and Larry Scott trail projects. It was very interesting to get to know some of the guys.
I appreciated the Community Service Coordinators help in scheduleing at the last minute. The guys were a great help.”
PORT TOWNSEND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER
“The Gray Wolf Ranch residents are always such a big help to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. They have contributed to many of our special events, routine maintenance tasks, and other special projects such as helping us scrape and paint the outside of our Marine Building on the pier. Not only are they hard workers, but they come with a high standard of punctuality and politeness. It is a pleasure having such fine young men contribute to our important cause and we appreciate their support. ”
“Our family has witnessed and greatly benefited from the transformations that are at the heart of the Graywolf experience. We run an old resort complex near Port Townsend where there are always more chores to do than we can handle. We have had the great fortune of employing three young men from Graywolf to help us out. Each one became part of our family. These remarkable young men did great work for us and we feel deeply privileged to have been played a small role in their recoveries.”
PORT TOWNSEND AREO MUSEUM
“Since 2001, the Port Townsend Aero Museum has been fortunate to have regular volunteers from the Gray Wolf Ranch. Without exception, they have all been valuable members of our team in furthering the missions of the museum. We also have benefitted greatly from the experience we have gained from working with so many fine young men.
Thank you for allowing us the priviledge of meeting and working with so many of your personell. We hope to continue this great relationship with Gray Wolf far into the future.”
STUDENTS
“Thank you guys so much for coming to our school and speaking to us. It really smacked a reality check for me. From you guys coming and talking to us it made me realize there are no benefits from what in my mind seems like fun. I have never even touched a cigarette in the manner of smoking it and neither have I ever gotten drunk. This showed me that peer pressure should never get the better of me.”
Thanks again.
Polly
Hey: I wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience with our class. I have a friend who is a recovering heroin addict, so your stories helped to give me hope. He quit about two months ago and we're scared he might relapse. I really took to heart what you said about getting friends help when you said “they have to be ready”. My friends and I experienced that when we were trying to get that friend help. We're hoping his addiction wasn't as severe and that rehab won't be necessary, but who knows.
Thanks for sharing what you went through. At least I know I'm not the only one who was hurt by heroin. I'm sorry about your ex-girlfriend, by the way. I'm sorry about everything you went through but you seem to be intent on being sober and I wish you all the luck in your recovery.
Thanks again. You are an inspiration to me.
Lauren
PORT TOWNSEND RESIDENTS
So once again two fine young men came and helped me a great deal. Last time it was digging out several loads of dirt and hauling it in the wheelbarrow loads. Last week Ryan and Phil came and spit an entire cord of Madrone for me. Phil had never split wood before but Ryan was very experienced. And by the end of the two hours all the wood was split and Phil is on his way to being expert.
I thank them both for their hard work and I thank Gray Wolf for the opportunity to have them come and help. I will have a warm winter burning this wood. It is split, it will season and it will fit my stove.
So, again many thanks to you all.
Sincerely,
Liz
“Your program appears to be a great asset to the young men and the community. The residents were friendly, had a professional attitude and a willingness to work hard and communicate. Keep up the good work. Thanks.”
“Thank you very much. I have a disability and limited income so you can imagine what a wonderful help this is for me. The residents wer darling - so energetic, polite and sweet.
Bless you!”