I have been fascinated with history my whole life. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the history of the Ranch but in a training session the other day my eyes were opened to even more.

You don’t hurt kids that are hurting

In 1966, Geoff Pawson the founder and current CEO and of the Ranch was an employee at the Saskatchewan Boys’ School, now the Paul Dojack Youth Centre. Geoff came across a 13 year old boy who was only allowed out of his cell for one hour a day every two weeks for a crime of petty theft.

While at the time, the punitive approach to young offender crime was very socially acceptable, Geoff realized there could be a different approach to help young people with social, emotional, and behavioral problems. An approach which used a nurtured and caring environment to help create positive changes in troubled kids.

Okay but now what

So Geoff had an idea but no funding. He found a perfect site just outside of Regina in Pilot Butte at a ranch owned by Cliff and Julia Ehrle.

The couple was looking to retire so agreed to sell Geoff the ranch. Geoff went from bank to bank but no one was interested in his new idea to help children enough to front him the money. He went back to Cliff and Julia to let them know he couldn’t come up with the down payment. The couple generously agreed to help Geoff if he could come up with $1,000, they would carry the mortgage.   Ranch Ehrlo was born.  In appreciation of their support Geoff kept the name Ranch Ehrlo (Ehrlo being a Spanish derivative of Ehrle).

Ready, set, go

The following months were busy, an interim board was created and the Ranch was renovated and furnished. The first resident arrived on June 1, and within two weeks the Ranch had 12 boys in residence.

Today we have over 700 staff and approximately 250 clients in residence every year. The program continues to grow and expand and help a wider range of clients but the principle established in 1966 still holds true – you don’t hurt people that are hurting.