Ranch Ehrlo Society commemorated the completion of two capital plan projects, celebrating the renovation and rebuild of two Pilot Butte group homes.

Ranch staff, senate, and board members celebrated the grand opening of the new Mitchell House on April 30^th, and the grand reopening of Jewison House on May 2^nd.

Board member Debbie McKague welcomed Frank Flegel, Frank May, Alex Guy, Art Wakabayashi, Jim Kenyon, Deb Jordan, Heather Collins, and others to the ribbon cutting ceremonies.

“I wish to congratulate the many people involved in building this state-of-the-art home, including the staff who prioritized these group home renovations,” Debbie McKague proclaimed on Friday evening. “The renovations here at Jewison have brought the unit up to impeccable standards.”

In 2010, staff identified group home renovations at the Pilot Butte campus as Ranch Ehrlo’s top priority. As such, Jewison House was selected as a renovation project and Mitchell House was selected as a complete rebuild project.

The interior of Jewison was completely gutted and rebuilt. New insulation, new windows, new appliances, and a new mechanical system were all installed.

Jewison remained a 10-bed unit but was made more spacious with an 800 square-foot addition.

“We are thankful to so many of you who have been with us every step of the way,” Debbie told the crowd at Mitchell House. “The reconstruction of Mitchell House reflects the growth and resiliency of our agency since 1966, and is a testament to the quality residential living that the agency expects of its facilities.”

Mitchell House was Ranch Ehrlo’s first residential group home, opening on June 1, 1966, at the original homestead of the Pilot Butte property. More than 40 years of operations had taken its toll on the house. In 2010, work on a new replacement unit began.

Fast forward three years, and the new Mitchell House opened its doors in June 2013 as a brand new, more spacious 10-bed unit.