Sponsor a child at the Boys & Girls Club

This spring, the Club teamed up with Free Rein to offer twelve members of our Oak View Branch an incredible opportunity to participate in Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions under the expert guidance of trained facilitators and equine specialists. Like our regular afterschool program, which is free thanks to your donations, the horse therapy opportunity was completely free of charge for the kids who participated.

Throughout the course, youth ages 11-13 learned about resilience by working with horses rescued from abuse, now living at Free Rein Sanctuary. Each week, the group explored a new theme: building trust with horses, enhancing communication skills (both verbal and nonverbal), setting and respecting boundaries, and understanding emotions.  Safety was a priority, with each session beginning with a thorough briefing on interacting with the horses. The program also featured special guests - police officers from the Huntington Beach Police Department's equestrian unit. This unique time together helped foster positive relationships between the children and uniformed officers in the community. 

Michelle Alvarez, Director of Family Support Programs, shares, "The kids are so engrossed in the experience of being with the horses that the lessons don't feel like 'learning' to them. To the kids, it feels like they're just having fun interacting with these extraordinary animals. But, as an educator, I love seeing each of the children build their self-confidence, their communication skills, and the skills needed to support their good mental health and well-being. We're thrilled to continue this empowering program and witness the growth, learning, and bonds formed between our young participants and their four-legged partners."

Thank you for helping give Club members extraordinary opportunities like this one! Your donation makes a difference.