"This place was like home to me": Former youth returns to say thank you
After spending much of his childhood searching for stability, connection, and a place to belong, Kevin Bligh recently returned to a place that helped shape the man he is today — Ranch Ehrlo Society.
Kevin came to Ranch Ehrlo at 14 years old, after years of being shuffled between group homes throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Now at 35, Kevin has had the opportunity to reflect on his childhood experiences, seeing his time at the Ranch through a new lens of appreciation. His experience at the Ranch, he said, stands apart from the others: it wasn’t just a place to stay, but a place to grow.
“I remember my mom saying, ‘You’re going to a group home. You’re leaving tomorrow — pack your things,’” Kevin recalled. “But I didn’t want to go. I wanted to stay home.”
The move was a turning point for Kevin. Ranch Ehrlo became more than a placement, it was an opportunity. Through the relationships with caring staff, chance for community involvement, and opportunities for self-expression, Kevin began to find the stability and belonging he had been longing for.
“It was just different,” he said. “They did activities, taught life skills, and took us out into the community.”
It was the little moments that made lasting memories: trips to the pool, being with friends at school, camp adventures, and earning his driver’s license – simple experiences that were rare, at the time, for a child growing up in care.
“Having that little bit of freedom and to be that ‘normal’ teenage kid that you wanted to be was nice. After being in group homes for so many years I wasn’t able to fully express myself, but at the Ranch I got to be me.”
Above anything, it was the people who made the difference.
Last month, Kevin returned to Pilot Butte campus and reunited with some of the staff who had supported him during those important years: Karen Kitz, Mike Deis, and Scott Landry. He also made mention of others who helped shape his path, most notably Brett Kuprowski and a former staff by the name of Joanna – both people he now considers lifelong mentors and extended family.
“Having those people that I trusted and could feel comfortable with meant the world to me,” said Kevin. “I really looked up to them.”
During his time at the Ranch, Kevin’s biological family visited just twice. But in the absence of that support, he found care and guidance in the relationships he built with staff.
“That place was like home to me. There were a lot of things that I learned that I may not have otherwise, because I didn’t have anyone to teach me. Without them, I’m not sure how my life would have turned out.”
Today, Kevin is a father, a husband, and a contributing member of his community. When he reflects on the life he’s built, he credits much of it to the foundation he built at the Ranch.
To the youth at Ranch Ehrlo today, Kevin offers a message of hope:
“The Ranch is a safe place, and the staff are there to help you. Do what you need to do, better yourself, and move on with the rest of your life.”