Ranch Ehrlo Society is grateful to the work of all our volunteers but we would like to highlight two individuals who have gone above and beyond for our Family Programs.

Rose Gelsinger has been volunteering with the Family Treatment Program (FTP) for the past eight months as a donation coordinator.

As families prepare to move out of our program or are setting up their own homes, they often need assistance in accessing used furniture, household items, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. Rose sources and organizes these donations through connections with fellow employees, family, and friends.

“As busy as she is finding donations for us, she has also provided us with some long term connections in the community,” added Sharon Achtemichuk, manager of the Family Treatment Program.

Currently Rose is working with her family and friends to collect contributions for school supplies for the upcoming school year for our families who do not receive financial assistance for this need. Her employer, Farm Credit Canada, also made a donation to the family program in Rose’s name. The donation was forwarded to the Mary Miller Fund which is used to help former clients, who require financial support for personal emergencies.

Sharon added, “Rose has gone to great lengths to help our clients. I simply send her an email with donation needs and she works her magic to make this happen for our families!”

Calyne Calyne in the childcare room

Calyne Skolney has also been an outstanding volunteer for FTP, despite the fact that she is both a student at the U of R in the faculty of Social Work and employee of Affinity Credit Union. She has spent the past year volunteering as a childcare assistant; supervising and providing fun activities to a range of children while their parents’ participate in group sessions designed to strengthen their families.

“The children adore Calyne. She helps to make their time in the childcare room fun and safe by singing to them, playing games, and reading stories,” Sharon explained. “She has become almost an employee and it is common to see her often in the office and also at our holiday celebrations to assist in facilitating child activities and supporting the parents in managing their children.”

Affinity Credit Union, also made a donation to the program in Calyne’s name which assisted the families in experiencing fun family time at the Yorkton pool.

It is thanks to volunteers like Rose and Calyne that the FTP can continue to work to improve family safety, family functioning, and child well-being so families can remain together.