Since Spring Reins of Life (SRoL) opened our arena gates in 2011 to the at-risk / high-risk teen population we have served more than 1300 teenagers between the ages of 13-19 with the assistance of our 4legged colleauges - the Horses.
We have achieved great results for teens in foster care, residential, semi-residential, incarceration, probationary status, homelessness, and more. Some of the organizations we work with regularly include Hunterdon Youth Services/ Binnacle House, Middle Earth, Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center, Visions & Pathways, and TriCounty CMO. In the past we have had successful partnerships and contracts with Bonnie Brae, NJJJC, NJTS, Misunderstood Youth Development Center, New City Kids, and YMCA.
SRoL's Teens & Horses programming has become a steady mainstay of our services offered. We run a weekly group format for both teens (13-19) and pre-teens (9-12) in four to twelve-week series. In 2018 we began to offer four segments of 4week groups which are open to the public and groups are created based on topic (most common are emotional regulation and social skills) as well as age range. In 2019 we offered a 4week series in March, May, September, and October. Our goal is to replicate that again in 2020 if not expanding it. The majority of our partnerships and also within the open groups there is a co-funding or co-paying structure in place where the partnering organization and/or parents and TriCounty budget for approximately 50% of the cost and SRoL funds the rest.
This model of co-funding has been successful for us to continue growing and expanding our programming for high-risk teen populations in New Jersey and NYC. As the results of EAP (equine-assisted psychotherapy) continue to gain recognition and positive results SRoL has been approached by more organizations that serve youth trauma survivors inquiring about EAP. Additionally, SRoL has been doing outreach work to offer EAP services to more populations in need of this type of intervention and solution-focused therapy. Human and sex trafficking, domestic violence, and the LBGTQ community are all topics that we wish to help provide trauma recovery, resiliency, and coping skills to enable, positively charge and empower our local youth.
Funding needed in 2020 to cover SRoL's portion of programming already committed: $15,700
Funding needed to expand and offer EAP programming to new local communities in 2020: $22,000
Total needed for Teens & Horses programming costs and expansion in 2020: $37,700
For us to share more information about How or WHY Horses, please contact us. For us to share testimonials, client endorsements, videos, and more - please contact us.
If you are passionate about helping this population, we have an At-Risk Teens Committee that can utilize dedicated volunteers with skills in outreach, advocacy, and community engagement.
On Sunday, June 7th, 2020 SRoL hosts its 7th Annual Open House / Demo Day where at approximately 3pm there will be a live participatory demo of Teens & Horses (what a typical 1st session looks like. Please come out and meet the Herd.
All of your support is greatly appreciated whether in the form of dollars or time and expertise. Thank you.
