At the beginning of each new year, we take the time to round up our most exciting news from the past 12 months and put it all in one place. 2016 was one for the books!

Ranch Ehrlo Society receives Top Employer designation
For the fourth year running, the agency was named one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers! We work hard to receive this designation, which recognizes Saskatchewan employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.

Ehrlo Counselling co-hosts conference
In May, Ehrlo Counselling teamed up with the Psychology Association of Saskatchewan to host a conference for mental health professionals in the province. Feature presenter, Martha Straus, PhD., shared her extensive knowledge on treating adolescent attachment trauma.

 Kenyon House grand opening
Kenyon House, named after past board chair Jim Kenyon, is the Ranch’s newest Emergency Receiving home, which provides a safe space for at-risk youth in the Regina area no matter the time of day or night. Kenyon House was officially opened on May 9^th.

New strategic plan unveiled
In June, Ranch Ehrlo Society announced the completion of a three year strategic plan. The plan was created through collaboration with employees, senior leadership, and Ranch Ehrlo Society board of directors. The resulting plan includes a new mission statement, directly linking the mission back to our highly qualified and passionate staff. It reads: “To provide quality prevention, restorative, and advocacy services to vulnerable individuals and families through highly engaged and professional employees.”

 New vice president of HR
Stuart Cunningham joined our team as vice president of human relations in August 2016. Stuart came to the Ranch from Five Hills Health Region, where he was VP of human resources for five years. Prior to that, he was a senior labour relations consultant with the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations.

Family Treatment Program expansion
In September, Ranch Ehrlo’s family program underwent its biggest expansion to date. A 40 per cent expansion saw the program welcome eight new families to its fold, bringing the total number of families served to 23. To help provide services to these families, a new manager, clinical supervisor, three family treatment workers, and a family care worker were added to the program. The program, which also celebrate its 10^th anniversary, moved to a larger office space as well.

 50^th anniversary celebrations
June 1, 2016 officially marked Ranch Ehrlo Society’s 50^th anniversary. We celebrated on the original campus located in Pilot Butte with a community-wide powwow on August 30^th.

On Sept. 29^th, we welcomed community members, staff, and former youth to the Queensbury Convention Centre for a celebratory gala featuring keynote speaker Jeannette Walls.

Matheson House in Prince Albert hosted a combined staff and community come-and-go in September which saw many prominent community members come out, including the mayor and several dignitaries.

Ehrlo Sport Venture visits La Loche
In September, Ehrlo Sport Venture manager Amanda McConnell and employees Ojay Stein and Filippe Dos-Santos visited La Loche to facilitate leadership and sport training to the community’s youth. A community outreach worker identified youth aged 16 – 20 whom she believed would benefit from the training, and the Sport Venture crew worked with her to create a program which allows youth who completed the training to further complete 60 hours of sports-related volunteer work within the community to receive a high school credit.

Successful Outcomes Report
One of the ways we remain transparent and accountable to our referring agencies, parents, and communities is through our annual Outcomes Report. Highlights from the report include:

• 88 per cent of youth satisfied with services at Ranch Ehrlo


• 91 per cent of students satisfied with education services


• 98 per cent of clients in our Programs for Persons with Developmental Disabilities reported an increased quality of life

New education program in Corman Park
A partnership that began nearly seven years ago with the Saskatoon School Division has developed into a new education program for autistic students at the Ellen Gunn Education Centre. In September 2016, three autistic children, ages 11, 13, and 13, were officially enrolled in Corman Park’s day student program.

First house dad settles in
In September, the agency’s first house dad, Andrew Brown, transitioned from a youth care worker (YCW) to Alex Guy’s house parent on the Buckland campus outside of Prince Albert.

Sweat lodge built on Pilot Butte campus
In November, a sweat lodge was built on our Pilot Butte campus for staff and youth. A sweat lodge is a place of healing for many Aboriginal individuals. It is hoped that having a structure on campus will allow for more frequent opportunities for youth and staff to sweat, and be a place that offers more chances for healing and learning about their own culture and the culture of others.

Ehrlo Counselling visits La Ronge
In the wake of the mental health crisis experienced by northern Saskatchewan, the First Nations and Inuit Heath Branch of Health Canada reached out for help and Ehrlo Counselling Services answered the call. The first to attend were social worker Amanda Kuckartz and psychologist Sherry Rapley. Amanda and Sherry were joined by ECS director Bree Fiissel and psychologist Shelley Tamaki for a visit later in the year.