Good Shepherd Ranch, in conjunction with its sister nonprofit Shepherding International (GSR/SI), has received permission from the owners of 117 Ponderosa Drive, the former clubhouse on Log Hill, to pursue using the site for 3-5 years for a Ukrainian Student housing and career training center. 

The 14,583 SF building has sat empty for 9 years and is need of repairs and renovation to bring it up to current building and energy code standards. GSR/SI is proposing to raise funds to renovate the commercial/residential zoned property to allow it to be occupied by Ukrainian students who will receive counseling, life coaching, ESL, U.S citizenship. In addition these students will receive career training in the clean energy, high-tech agriculture and sustainable architecture and construction program being developed at the Good Shepherd Ranch, located on Dave Wood Road. The program will offer hands-on vocational degrees through postdoctoral research degrees in coordination with multiple universities with online remote learning.

Plans for the renovation will allow up to 25 occupants. It is anticipated 3-4 of those people will be local onsite hosts with backgrounds in foreign language, PTSD therapy and career counseling. In addition to career training, students would be trained with the Log Hill volunteer EMS and Fire Protection.  Vans for transportation would shuttle students to work part-time at various businesses in Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride and Montrose. 

This is a win-win for the local community, providing desperately needed workforce housing that benefits the surrounding businesses which are forced to limit their hours due to labor shortages. In return we are asking the community to help mentor and support these Ukrainian students as they work on rebuilding their lives, encouraging them to pursue successful life paths.

GSR/SI will also include mentoring and leadership training throughout their stay while providing these Ukrainian students with the skill sets to help rebuild their homeland post conflict.  We are encouraging members of our community with strong leadership backgrounds to assist with mentoring these students.

By signing this petition you are endorsing the proposed project which will be in place at the 117 Ponderosa Drive location for a period of 4-5 years; until additional student/workforce housing can be provided at the Good Shepherd Ranch site on Dave Wood Road.  After 5 years the owners of the facility intend to use the property as their family retreat.