El'Dad Ranch is opening a new location.

Director Kevin Drain explains their Ranch is located near Giroux. They have been around since 1980, assisting adults with intellectual challenges. What started as a justice program assisting men having trouble with the law, today includes residential homes, day programs and an outreach program assisting people in the community.

(Kevin Drain)"If we weren't there supporting the people that we do, things like the potential for crime, the strain on mental health systems, the strain on EI, all these things would just become more," fears Drain.

He says on top of that is the personal impact on individuals, their friends, families and neighbours.

Depending on the program, Drain says a typical day program begins at 9 am and ends around 4 pm. Individuals could either be working in the woodlot, the auto shop or in carpentry. Some of them help with maintaining the yards and maintaining homes.

"They do this in a way to get skills and learn what it's like to put in a work day, Monday to Friday," he says.

About two years ago, Drain says they began renting space in Steinbach. It was their first step off the ranch. This Saturday, they will move those operations to the corner of Highway 52 and Peters Lane in Mitchell.

"We are going to be moving some of our day program there, some of our outreach," notes Drain. "And sort of be even more of a community presence and really connect in with the community."

A grand opening will take place Saturday around noon.

According to Drain, the site in Mitchell will give them space needed to show off some of the products they have been developing at El'Dad Ranch. He notes they would like to hear what the community would like to see there but are considering possibly a cafe or a garage.