The people who make up the teams at Ranch Ehrlo are woven together by a shared and true belief that this work matters – and that they are helping to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Through the Faces of the Ranch series, we’re introducing the people who deliver care and compassion every day at Ranch Ehrlo.

Tandi van Tol immigrated to Canada with no more than a suitcase and a plan to stay for one year. Now, 25 years later, she is preparing to celebrate two decades with Ranch Ehrlo Society and the life she has built on the Prairies.

Originally from Holland, and having spent much of her life in South Africa, Tandi came to Canada as a young woman starting a new chapter; she was meeting new people, learning about her new city, and staying open to opportunity. When her roommate shared her enthusiasm for Ranch Ehrlo, drawing on her experience as both a practicum student and later a youth care worker, Tandi was intrigued and decided to give it a try.

“I didn’t have formal education, I just had a good heart,” said Tandi.

With no post-secondary education, but a resume filled with volunteer experience and a strong sense of purpose, Tandi was hired as a casual youth care worker. She spent a year in the role, intentionally working across group living programs throughout Regina to find the best fit. She first landed at Wilson House as a part-time youth care worker, eventually moving into a full-time role.

It was at Wilson House that Tandi truly immersed herself in her work. It’s where she began to see a future and mapped out her career path.

“I knew that I was going to stick around and that I was going to build a career here,” said Tandi. “I could have been a youth care worker until the day I died because I just loved it so much, but I knew that I wanted to be an advocate for these kids and that’s what launched me into the field of social work. I wanted to contribute more to the agency and to the system.”

With support from Ranch Ehrlo’s education assistance program, Tandi decided to enroll in post-secondary education and went on to complete her Bachelor of Social Work. After earning her degree, she stepped into a new role as an intake coordinator at the Ranch, but within six months, she realized she was meant for something different.

Driven by a desire to make a deeper impact and continue growing, she chose to pursue her master’s degree while stepping into the role of clinical caseworker at Jewison House. Balancing full-time work and studies, Tandi completed her degree before moving to Saskatoon, where she became director of Group Living Treatment Services at the Corman Park campus – a role she has now held for six years.

While Ranch Ehrlo provided the tools and support for Tandi to grow her career, she confidently credits her own self-discipline and determination for paving the way.

“It’s not what the agency can do for you. We are the agency – each and every one of us. What can you contribute to the child? What difference can you make? How can you be more and kind and more trauma-informed? How can you grow? At the end of the day, it’s about your attitude and your own contributions. So yes, I got coaching and support from the agency, but it was me taking those opportunities and making the most of them.”

This philosophy is reflective of the amalgam of beliefs  Dr. Geoff Pawson shared in Ranch Ehrlo’s historical review, Go Forward with Pride, in which he shares:

“The empowerment of staff can be a dynamic process. It can help the agency grow and develop in ways not previously envisioned.”

When we talk about the Faces of the Ranch, we want you to know our staff for more than the degrees on their walls or the letters after their names. At the heart of Ranch Ehrlo is a deep commitment to compassion and care – it’s at the core of who our staff are and what they do.

As part of our 60th anniversary, guests are invited to take part in a self-guided history experience at the Kesten Centre during our 9th annual powwow on August 27. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the start of the feast, the space will remain open throughout the day for visitors to come and go. 

The Kesten Centre will feature a history museum highlighting the past 60 years, celebrating the history, achievements, and stories that have shaped the Ranch. Former youth, staff, and their families, along with community partners, are encouraged to attend. If you plan to attend, you’re welcome to RSVP by emailing  ranchehrlo.news@ranchehrlo.ca.