RHA was formed out of a vision that we could provide quality care for children/youth who were not able to live in their family of origin. Errol Dohms had encountered several children/youth without families through his work in the Youth Guidance program of Youth for Christ, and then also as a Child Care Counselor at the Youth Development Center. The impact he could have on youth, as an occasional mentor or as a staff member on shift work, was minimal compared to times when he was with them 24-7 like on a camping trip. This became even more evident when Errol and Jennifer became temporary foster parents for boys they had known at ‘work’.

When it was initially discussed about whether to bring difficult youth into their home, Jennifer’s response was ‘not in my house with my children’ (of which there were already three). But one morning, while reading Scripture, Jennifer read Isaiah 58 and received a different ‘calling’. Notice especially verses 6 and 7 of Isaiah 58:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:To loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him …”

The chapter goes on to remind us of His blessing and protection when we do His will – the assurance that Jennifer wanted most as a mother of three. So we started to bring children/youth into our home, and we started the lengthy process of applying for non-profit status in Alberta and as a charitable organization with Revenue Canada in 1981. We added two bedrooms in the basement of our condo on the NE end of Edmonton, and when that was getting cramped we started praying for a larger house in the country (because it was too easy for the kids to run away in the city when they didn’t like something ).

At the same time we began all of the incorporation processes – becoming a not-for-profit society in Alberta, and a charitable organization in Canada. This also required us to formulate a Board of Directors, and to begin having regular meetings. In June, 1981 we officially became Renascence Homes Association.

An opportunity to rent Jennifer’s parents’ home on an acreage came in 1981 – 6 bedrooms for the 5 Dohms’ and 3 foster children. We did this for one year, then purchased another acreage nearby. One more son was added to the Dohms family, and several foster placements. When the economy went into recession in 1983/84 it had several immediate ramifications for us – funding from Social Services was cut by 50%; we couldn’t make the mortgage payments and had to move out; Errol took an outside job at Oakhill Boys Ranch; and, we moved back into the Rolleman acreage which we now purchased. We were now up to 4 of our own children and 3 or 4 foster children.

After 2 years of Errol working evenings and weekends, with Jennifer left at home with 7 children and no extra help, we had to change something. Either Social Services would have to begin paying us more so Errol could stay home full time, or we would have to stop being foster parents. We were offered a specialized foster care contract that would allow us to commit to this full time. After a few years of full beds (5 or 6 foster placements at a time) and cramped quarters, we were able to build an addition onto the house with 3 extra bedrooms and an office. We also hired some help with cleaning and cooking (Gramma Dohms), and eventually added one youth worker to help with the boys. It was a very busy season – raising children, driving school bus, and Errol returning to school to get his B. Ed and eventually his M. Ed in the Educational Psychology program at the University of Alberta.

In 1996 our fee for service contract was converted to a Group Home contract, which definitely simplified our financial situation but created more accountability and way more paperwork. We purchased another acreage in 1998 right next door, and eventually began offering foster care and then group home care in this house. The house parents changed in 2006 in this house, and then again in 2010. Meanwhile, Errol and Jennifer moved out of the original group home in June, 2009 to allow Byron and Andrea Dohms to take over in what would be called Forestview Group Home. Errol and Jennifer moved into Gibbons for a year while in the process of subdividing and starting construction on a new house. They moved out to the acreage and lived in a holiday trailer from May – August of 2010 while their house was being built, but moved into Riverside Group Home as house parents in August 2010 when the house parents resigned. New house parents began living in the group home in June 2011, allowing Errol and Jennifer to move into their own house. Another house parent transition started in December 2015, and continues into 2017.