After 30 years, Marina Paruup and her staff at MH Enterprises have seen many residents better their lives by seeking its employment services.
Paruup is celebrating three decades in the valley operating MH Enterprises, and to celebrate, she is asking for testimonials from former clients and businesses on how the organization has helped achieve employment success.
Just over three decades ago, Paruup recently graduated from the University of Calgary. At about that same time, the Alberta government was exploring how to deliver support for those receiving benefits to reintegrate back into the workforce, and a former colleague from Alberta Works presented her with an opportunity to take on one of the contracts for the area.
“I had done a student practicum in their office, and an opportunity came up for this rural area to bid on a contract. I put a proposal together. I think I was one of 10 people to bid on a contract, and I was lucky enough to get awarded,” she recalls.
“I remember getting the phone call saying I had received the opportunity and was awarded the bid. I remember him saying specifically, ‘You know it’s not going to last more than a year.’” I remember thinking wow, a year is a really long time, what a great opportunity, and now it is 30 years later. Don’t ever shut an opportunity or an idea.”
She recalls she had enough funding for an office and a part-time administrator. She hung her plaque on Main Street. Their office then moved to the Civic Centre, which is now the Town Hall. In 1999, they expanded to new services, took over the EI contract, and moved to their current location. A couple of years ago, they opened their Stettler office staffed with locals from the community to deliver these services.
Today, MH Enterprises is able to offer free-of-charge employment services to unemployed or underemployed Albertans. This can be anything from career counselling, resume services, job searches, placements and training.
“We always take a holistic approach. It’s not just ‘here’s your resume’, it’s ‘how is everything doing?’ We have to balance all aspects of our lives to be successful.” We take a look at everything that is going on in your life. We’re that lifestyle coach of how you connect to the career.”
She says the different levels of government she works with are investing greatly in rural Alberta.
“I am a huge proponent for rural services. You need these services in small towns, you need that door open for people to walk through, you need that kind person across from you to help you navigate this difficult situation,” she said.
MH provides that open door and kind face.
“​​I have gratitude for the amazing team of MH Enterprises, past and present, who are forever going above and beyond in sharing my vision to help others succeed in their goals and to the overwhelming community partnership support we have been given over the last 30 years! No one person can accomplish great things alone. It truly does take a community of friends and family supporting one another to be the best they can be.”
She is also grateful for the community connections the organization has built, not only with the public but institutions, employers and mentors.
Her rewards are intrinsic.
“It’s about what did we do to help someone? Did we make someone’s life better today? How did we serve?”
MH wants to hear these stories through their impactful campaign. You can email testimonials to MHenterprises@drumhellerjobs.com

The Town of Drumheller Public Works crews continue to work on a second water main break on Highway 9 near Western GM.
Town Staff are onsite; traffic has been reduced to single lane and some localized water outages will occur in the area as repairs are made. Please use caution if in the area.
According to a statement for the Town of Drumheller, “We are currently addressing the water main break on Highway 9, and while we are making progress, we do not have an estimated time for the repair completion. The affected 60-year-old water main is reaching the end of its service life, and due to the type of breaks we are encountering, we may need to address additional sections of the mainline.”
Crews successfully minimized the impact on most water users along Highway 9 over the weekend, but there’s still some work to be done. Crews will be in the area over the next couple of days to prepare for one last repair, which includes installing a new fire hydrant and lead, as the existing hydrant is also over 60 years old.
On Thursday, contracted crews were back on site to finish the water main replacement through “bursting,” which involves pulling a new water line through the existing line. Once complete, the water main will be back in full service, and the area will be cleaned up.
“We’re hopeful that will address this section of the water main and prevent any further water main breaks along that section.”
Drumheller utility crews have completed a total of six water main repairs and two valve replacements over the past four weeks.