Brenda & Gary, founders of Canadian Home Education Resources, began their involvement in home schooling in 1986 when their first child was kindergarten age.  Convinced that education should be a family affair, they wanted to give home education a try, planning to take it one year at a time to make sure it was the right fit.  Brenda was soon a staunch supporter and became heavily involved in the home education movement, co-founding a local support group, and organizing many special events and programs for home educators.

By 1993, frustrated with ordering materials from the US, Gary & Brenda recognized the need in the growing home schooling community for a supplier of educational materials in Canada.  Starting with about three bookshelves in their dining room, they imported a few quality programs and sent out a one page list of materials they offered.  Thus Canadian Home Education Resources (CHER) was born.  In the thirty-two years that followed, Gary and Brenda devoted significant time and energy to supporting the homeschooling community through their business, and always acknowledged that their success was due to the leading and blessing from God as a Christian ministry.

Brenda & Gary’s middle child, Amber, grew up being homeschooled while helping with the family business.  Working through various roles at CHER, she developed a strong competency and proficiency in management.  When blessed with her own children it was natural for Amber Mann to continue with home education.  By this time CHER had grown to a full warehouse and showroom, and Amber was heavily involved in the business.  She often said her eldest children were “office schooling” rather than home schooling, but what better environment for a child to experience education than being surrounded by educational books?  Nevertheless, by the time Amber’s third child was expected she felt strongly called to focus on the next season solely in the home.  In 2015, Amber stepped down from her 11 year post as office manager, and CHER consolidated their showroom/warehouse, moving their operations primarily online.  For this season, Gary and Brenda continued with their calling to serve the home education community across Canada supported by their amazing team of office staff.

By January 2026 the season had changed again.  Having graduated her first two, still homeschooling three, Amber was well equipped to return to CHER.  Gary and Brenda officially passed the operation of Canadian Home Education Resources on to their daughter, marking a new chapter in the company’s legacy.  Under Amber’s guidance, CHER will continue with Gary and Brenda’s vision of offering Good Stuff for Homeschool Families, parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone who loves kids.

Working closely with Amber, her eldest daughter, Allyson Carlson (granddaughter of Gary and Brenda), manages day to day operations as office manager.  Her connection to CHER runs deep — she spent countless childhood hours exploring books on its shelves, and many of those who were children back when CHER had its showroom open may have met her in the old playroom, or seen her reading to her dolls on the couch.

Though Gary and Brenda have stepped back from day-to-day operations, they are still behind the scenes supporting Amber and Allyson, making three generations working together to serve the homeschool community.