Ranch Ehrlo Society celebrates 60th anniversary

Recalling his reasons for joining Ranch Ehrlo, Heaney said he was drawn to the idea of working with kids and going on camping trips.

Years later, he acknowledged some of those early relationships he built have lasted and he enjoys the calls from former clients who want to talk about their own favourite experiences.

“And also the pride and them talking about how their life has changed and what they have accomplished and they’ve got a family and they are working,” he said.

Ranch Ehrlo’s Treatment Foster Care program brings foster parents together through a Community of Practice: a supportive space to share, learn, and grow. By combining real-life experience with clinical expertise, this initiative is helping reduce isolation and strengthen the circle of care around children and youth. (Image Credit: Facebook/ Ranch Ehrlo Society)

With respect to the biggest changes he has witnessed over the past 30 years, Heaney confirmed it would be the growth of the organization – starting out as a single group home, into one of the province’s largest human services organizations.

Across 130 properties, Ranch Ehrlo employs more than 1,000 people from diverse backgrounds, and delivers programs in communities throughout Saskatchewan, while welcoming youth and families from across the country seeking specialized care.

Acknowledging they have a taxing job, and work with some of the most complex kids in the country, Heaney said the staff are amazing and do a great job getting past the noise and name-calling.

“These kids just want a sense of belonging, they want a place that’ll keep them safe and secure. You know they are looking for relationships and trust,” Heaney said.

“Before you know it, this youth has stabilized and they are starting to open up.”

According to a statement provided by CEO Natalie Huber, this month’s milestone is more than an anniversary – it’s a reflection of lives changed and communities strengthened.

“Every young person and family who has come through our doors has shaped who we are today,’ she said.

Anniversary activities are scheduled to take place throughout 2026, including a province-wide launch of 60 Acts of Kindness. Staff and participants will engage in community-focused initiatives in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw – creating visible, local impact tied to the agency’s legacy of care.

Celebrations will continue with signature events, including the ninth annual powwow on August 27 at the Pilot Butte campus.

The gathering will bring together former participants and their families, staff, and community partners to tour the campus, walk the reconciliation pathway, and reflect on the agency’s history while looking ahead to its future.

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nigel.maxwell@panow.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Ranch Ehrlo Society celebrates 60th anniversary

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