The youth at Kruzeniski House are learning important lessons about working to earn rewards.

Most recently, they were out and about in Regina, knocking on doors, volunteering to clean up yards for a small fee.

“We (did) front yards for $10 and front and back for $20,” explained Stephanie Logan, Kruzeniski House unit manager.

Stephanie explained that it’s important for Ranch youth to participate in activities such as yard cleaning because it relates to the four cornerstones of the agency’s treatment programs – work, recreation, education, and clinical treatment.

“Activities like this help build skills that they’re going to need outside of the Ranch. It helps them to understand that we have to work for things – you have to be engaged in certain ways with the outside world, whether you’re going to a job, school, whatever it is.”

Having the youth work throughout the year to earn a reward down the road teaches them important lessons about the value of their efforts, and places an emphasis on patience – all good things are worth the effort, and the wait.

The money that the youth earn is placed in a fund and is then used for activities like the Ranch’s annual summer camps, or unique experiences like a treetop zip lining course – things that are outside of the Ranch’s typical budget but are still viewed as important for the youth to participate in.

“These types of experiences are important for the youth for a number of reasons. For example, self esteem building – with the treetop course, we had kids who aren’t really comfortable with heights but they went and were able to complete the activity, and they came down feeling like a million bucks because they were able to complete something they didn’t think they’d be able to.”

Work projects also teach youth valuable lessons about the significance of team work and giving back.

Stephanie added, “They’re very positive and work very hard. They help each other out, try to keep each other motivated.”