CARNDUFF - Although Shelley Boyes has endured hardships throughout her life, she was in her sweet spot as 2007 approached.
She had her dream job at Sask. Learning in Regina and had just married her dream man, Shane Boyes. Her husband had a ranch near Glen Ewen, but that wasn’t a problem, as much of her work could be done remotely.
So in 2007, she moved to Glen Ewen, commuting once a week for meetings in Regina. Those weekly drives became wearisome, so she decided to give up that dream job. She returned to her former profession of teaching as a substitute.
After a while, she began contemplating a major career change. She thought of opening an Old Fashion Foods franchise, but that vision evaporated when her dad became ill and needed her care. Counselling interested her and together, with her husband, began taking online courses.
In 2011, they graduated and travelled to Nashville to pick up their certificates at an awards ceremony, held by the American Association of Christian Counsellors. She was now an accredited counsellor.
She began working with a life coach and one day, he asked a probing question: “Shelley, if you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?”
Boyes has a heart for helping young women in need, so she replied that she’d like to open a home for that express purpose.
She began exploring different models. One, in particular, really interested her, but she was overwhelmed with all the protocols she’d have to follow. One day, an ‘aha moment’ helped her realize that her vision of the home didn’t have to have an organizational tie. She continued to give it some thought.
In 2012, the home for women that would become known as Choose Life Ministry began to obsess her. Three words kept running through her mind: just do it. So she did.
She appointed a board and began meeting with them, detailing her vision. A fundraising banquet in Estevan later that year raised $12,000.
Over the next few years, there were more banquets, with people continuing to give, even though the construction had not yet begun. A total of $1 million was needed and Boyes did not want to begin building until all the money was raised.
Meanwhile, the Boyes donated a quarter section of land where the proposed home could be built. On that section was an old, seemingly-dilapidated house. Terry Methot, a board member and building contractor, suggested that the building wasn’t in as bad of shape as it appeared and with a bit of work, it could be transformed into something beautiful.
At the next board meeting, a vote was taken regarding Methot’s suggestion and the results were almost unanimous to fix up the old house. There was one dissenting voice, that of Boyes. She had to accept the board’s decision and it was then that she realized that God had something much bigger in mind than she did.
At this point, not enough money had been raised to build a new building, but enough had been given to restore the antiquated home. The work began in May 2015 and three years later, it was functional, home to a few women who were looking for help in their time of need.
Boyes’ vision, six years later, had finally come to fruition. The Homestead for Hope was now a reality. The dream job with Sask. Learning was nothing compared to this fulfilled dream.
Since 2018, 14 women have graduated from the program and many others have been helped.
To help support the work that goes on in the home, Boyes has overseen the opening of several Second Chance Thrift Boutiques. Her vision has gone much further than simply what happens on that plot of ground just south of Gainsborough.
And now, Boyes has decided to pass the baton. She retired from her role as executive director at the end of March and continued on for three months to help her successor transition into her new role. Recently, a retirement party was held to honour her vision and recognize Boyes’ accomplishments of the past 10 years.
What are her future plans? She is staying on as the finance director, but outside of work, you’ll see her at all the Saskatchewan Roughrider games thanks to a great birthday gift. She’ll be spending more time spoiling her seven grandchildren and she plans to do a lot of travelling that’s not work related.
If you’re interested in more of Boyes’ story and her vision, she’s written a small book entitled Mourning to Dancing. It can be found at Second Chance Thrift Boutiques.
