Ranch Ehrlo Executive pose for a picture with Al Fraser. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Supportive communities

Ranch Ehrlo celebrates opening of new emergency receiving house

Jun 19, 2024 | 5:26 PM

A home that provides emergency shelter for young children is now officially open in Prince Albert’s East Flat area.

Wednesday’s launch celebration of Ranch Ehrlo’s Fraser House was nearly three years in the making, Program Manager Sean Bader noted for paNOW the initial plan was to simply add an attachment to their existing building in the RM of Buckland, but when construction costs soared, they began looking and found a suitable place in the city.

“We still have a little ways to go but I’m looking forward to the future here,” he said.

A look inside one of the bedrooms. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The home can accomodate children from newborn to 11 years of age, and in addition to multiple bedrooms, there are large play and kitchen spaces. The children began moving in last February and their stay at the home is on average between 30 to 60 days.

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“But I mean there’s a severe lack of foster placements and family willing to take in kids at this point so I mean we have had some kids stay over a year,” Bader said, adding the longer the kids stay, the more attached staff become and it becomes harder to see them go.

Ranch Ehrlo CEO and President Natalie Huber noted the actual emergency receiving program has been around since 2018 but there was an acknowledgement they needed more space. She added the new home provides an opportunity for the children to be in the community and near playgrounds.

“It’s heart warming for me because prior to my time here, I was actually with the ministry of social services on the other end making some of the calls to make this happen,” she explained.

The home was name in honour of Al Fraser, who is no stranger to anyone in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Huber also noted the home’s grand opening is a credit to all the staff and volunteers involved, from those who do maintenance, to those who look after the children.

“It really speaks to their values and their commitment,” she said

The home was named in honor of Al Fraser who is a former board member and who is well-known in the community through his involvement in numerous boards and committees.

“I am deeply humbled and at the same time excited and honoured that Ranch Ehrlo has chosen my name for this house,” he told the crowd. “This is an honour that my family and I will forever treasure.”

During his some 30 years with the Prince Albert Police Service, Fraser was involved with Crime Stoppers and helped establish a neighbourhood watch program on the east side of the city.

Elder Liz Settee shares an exchange with Barclay Batiuk, Ranch Ehrlo’s Director of Group Home Services. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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