Winds of Change:

A great idea!

Actions focused toward caring for rescued horses leaves these youth with a lasting impression reinforcing that positive actions do matter and are much more important than negative ones. 

Having been a CASA (court appointed special advocate) For Children going on 3 years, I had worked with Judge Rusty Jackson and his Court Administrator, Becky Salloum, on many cases affecting the lives of children. One afternoon I approached the judge with a concept to which he had not yet been introduced named Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).  As many might guess, his first thought was more along the lines of "You want to do therapy on horses?"  My response was "No, I want to do therapy with at-risk teens using horses."  I had fully expected him to balk at the idea as I explained in greater detail that EAP utilizes a horse as a tool in conjunction with a therapist. Much to my surprise, it peaked his interest.  We talked about the lack of programs available in the county and the need for variety.  

As a result of this conversation and our continuing collaboration, a new organization called Crossroads Foundation, Inc. was created to focus on at-risk children who are underprivileged, neglected, abused, or deprived.  Crossroads will concentrate on maximizing the psychological well being of these children, and when possible their families, by utilizing EAP.  Exercises used in the therapeutic sessions of EAP. have been proven to improve communication skills, enhance their self-esteem and increase leadership skills while promoting teamwork. This therapy helps adolescents understand themselves by challenging them to play a different role: the parent, who must find strategies to control their “child” in this case a horse, through different scenarios.  EAP. also provides an immediate cause and effect situation, which helps to lay the groundwork for healthier decision making.  EAP. has proven to be an effective tool in reaching young people and their families as well as changing negative behaviors where all other interventions have failed.   

Somewhere along the way, I mentioned to the Judge how I had involved my foster daughter in working at The Horse Rescue farm on weekends. I recently became a foster parent and have had to think of consequences equal to the undesirable behaviors of teenagers, which can be difficult.  I am a strong believer no human being deserves to be told "Do as I say or I'll hurt you."  And for that matter, neither does an animal.  What I do believe in is work, and hard work as a consequence is much more productive in my eyes.  Unacceptable behavior in my house calls for a trip to the horse rescue wearing boots, jeans, gloves and holding a pitchfork.   

Using the premise that we needed to develop a similar meaningful consequence for delinquent and unruly behavior, we came up with a weekend work program, later named "Winds of Change".  In the beginning we held it at the Horse Rescue farm run by Cheryl Flanagan in Cumming, and since it is a no kill shelter, it also fit the parameters to be considered for juvenile community service work as well. We eventually moved the program to a 10-acre farm, which not only rescues horses, but also rescues a variety of other animals.  This farm has been dedicated specifically to Crossroads Foundation and will be our permanent home.  We  are currently preparing to construct a ropes course, complete our club house, and hope to one day cover our riding arena.

Judge Jackson set forth the basics of what he needed such a program to provide.  He wanted an immediate response.  If the teen was in court Thursday and he decided he wanted to give them community service or consequence for their behavior, then he wanted to have them start that Saturday; I agreed.  He wanted the option to have Sundays available for a further consequence and since horses need taken care of seven days a week that was no problem.  He wanted to know what was going on with each teen and he wanted to know soon after their having gone through the program.  I agreed that each teen needed a report card and that I would provide one for each child before the end of the following week.  The court system already had rules and regulations that needed to be followed so we tailored them to fit the needs of the weekend.  All supervisors are volunteers and have had a background check by law enforcement that is facilitated by the Juvenile Court working in conjunction with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department.  The Juvenile Court refers kids ranging in age from 11 to 18 years of age who are assigned a weekend full of hard, and sometimes rewarding, work on a horse farm.  

We continue to look for funding and sponsors to help finance the EAP portion and get it off the ground.  As previously mentioned, this program will focus on providing therapeutic interventions for deprived, delinquent, unruly and/or underprivileged at-risk teens and their families.

Added 8/20/2002