Loving what you do is key to having a long career.

It’s the main reason why Cam Huberdeau, a personal support leader, has stayed with Ranch Ehrlo for 25 years.

“I have enjoyed every minute of it,” Cam said. “Yes, there have been some challenging times where I’ve wanted to pull my hair out, but there have been so many accomplishments. They make a big difference.”

Cam began his career as a youth care worker, later becoming a youth care leader and then a personal support leader for our supported living program.

His story shows you don’t always need to move behind a desk at the Ranch to have a wholesome career.

“After 25 years, I’m still working directly with participants,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to move up or go into different roles, but because I enjoy doing what I do, I’ve stayed and made a career out of it. I’ve had a really good career.”

As a personal support leader, Cam spends a lot of time interacting with participants. That could be playing board games or cards or doing some gardening work.

He also does the grocery shopping for the home, preps meals, and generally keeps the peace.

“I know in my heart I’ve enjoyed working hands-on and directly with the participants,” he said. “I’m not the guy that sits at a desk and pushes paper. It’s why I’ve stayed generally in this role for as long as I have.”

A passion for helping others
Cam said he got involved with the Ranch because he’s always enjoyed working with youth and adults.

He still receives calls from some of the first participants he’s helped care for.

“They are grown men and women now with kids of their own, and they just want to see how I’m doing, and they let me know how they are doing,” he said. “Sometimes they say, ‘I didn’t like you when I was there, but now that I left, I look back and you made a big difference in my life.’ It’s those small things to me that really make it worthwhile.”

He has fond memories of hosting Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners for community members in need.

“It’s just brought so much joy to the kids. It made them so happy they were able to help kids who didn’t have as much as they did,” he said. “It was an awesome thing.”

If you’re looking to work at the Ranch, Cam said it’s important you enjoy what you’re doing.

“It can’t be for the money, and you can’t do it for the wrong reasons,” he said.

He also wanted to thank the staff who’ve been by his side over the 25 years.

“I wouldn’t have made it this long without working with some astonishing people,” he said. “I remember my first unit manager telling me, ‘It can be a difficult place to work, but you need to decide if it’s right for you.’ Something just clicked that day, and here we are 25 years later.”

If you are interested in a career at the Ranch, check out our varied job opportunities.