Offering hope for young men struggling with behavioral, mental and emotional health.
Rawhide’s community-based youth counseling provides a safe space for young men and women to talk about how they feel without fear of judgment.
Our youth and community job training programs lead to bright futures.
Your donations help transform young lives.
Get involved in the life-changing work that happens every day at Rawhide.
Since 1965, our mission has been one of belief.
Join a team committed to uplifting the lives of at-risk youth—your journey of making a difference starts here.
Young men often lack trust in the system when they arrive at Rawhide for the residential care program. And sometimes, they lack trust in the families who’ve raised them. Our positive, structured environment helps rebuild that trust—in themselves and others—by focusing on mental health, building upon personal strengths and teaching responsibility.
Our teen residential treatment gathers young men together in homes run by house staff, who demonstrate healthy relationships, faith and respect for others. From basic hygiene to coping skills for challenging moments, youth learn essential, healthy behaviors that prepare them for success back in their communities.
Most youth who arrive at Rawhide are behind academically and credit deficient with little hope of graduating high school. At Starr Academy, highly trained staff develop individualized education plans to meet our youth where they are and help them reach a level where they can, not only graduate, but succeed in a life where they’re never again held back by their education. Starr Academy is fully accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation (WRISA).
Our therapists focus on the many dimensions of life: spiritual, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social. They work with youth and often their families to provide customized therapy that heals and promotes positive behaviors.
Our therapists help youth learn about self-regulation, using cutting-edge, evidence-based, sensory therapies. They teach youth to understand what their body needs and build physical and mental strength in a safe environment—skills that can then be used in everyday life situations.
For some youth, spending time with a horse can help break down barriers, allowing them to work through trauma and overcome emotional issues. Our CHAPS Equine-Assisted Therapy program creates that safe, judgment-free zone and builds trust—not just with the horse but also between youth and therapist.
Youth need a non-judgmental place to receive individualized support, tailored to their specific needs and developmental stage. Separate from our residential program, the Youth Sex Offender (YSO) Program offers the help, support, and therapy needed for youth to accept their past and work toward a healthy future—ultimately reducing the risk of reoffending.
Youth in the YSO program have a separate home and school classroom, ensuring a private and safe space for youth to address their needs individually and in a setting among their peers.
Set on a 714-acre campus along the Wolf River in New London, Wisconsin, Rawhide’s headquarters is like its own small community with residential homes, classrooms, a barn and horse stables, an auto repair shop, a café and more. Its peaceful, rural setting provides a comfortable place for youth to heal and reflect on what they’d like their lives to be like and who they can become.
Wondering if Rawhide is a good fit for your youth? Want to learn more about the programs and services available? We’re always happy to talk. Or check out our frequently asked questions.
This residential program is available only for court-referred young men; parents cannot directly place their youth into this setting.
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