GOALS:

Heads Up has met many of its goals in the eight years of its existence, growing from a one person, one horse and two riders organization to nine horses, dozens of volunteers and graduate riders, and a constant waiting list.

The dream of a place of our own became a reality in August of 1992 when we moved into our new home in the Angeles National Forest in Saugus, California, after two years of paperwork, preparation, fund raising, and stretching budget dollars further than anyone thought possible. Today, we operate with temporary housing for the horses and our on-site caretaker. We have successfully completed Phase I of OPERATION GET THERE!

Phase II and III involves a great deal of work ahead. A permanent barn, handicapped rest rooms, office and volunteer lounge, and caretaker residence must be build. Landscaping and fencing must be completed to utilize our space for maximum benefit and safety.

Along with completing the necessary facility building needs we must plan for a future with staff members. In order to increase our effectiveness in the community and accept more children into the program, paid staff members must be obtained. Our wonderful volunteers have jobs and families which sometimes keep them from their volunteer commitments, and volunteers generally are only available on week-ends. So many more riders from many more sectors of the disabled community could be served simply by utilizing a full time staff.

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VOLUNTEERS


are the life-line of most non-profit or organizations, but at Heads Up they must be ready for vigorous training. Formal training sessions are held bi-annually. In addition, volunteers are trained by a peer trainer and receive a great deal of coaching to become proficient.

At Heads Up volunteers are needed for numerous tasks. Working at: the ranch with the horses and riders offers three volunteering opportunities: side walkers, and horse leaders. Volunteers start their training as "outside side walkers". An outside side walker position requires the volunteer to spot the rider on their side, assist the rider to execute instructions given by the instructor, and to join in praising the rider for a job well done. The inside side walker has the responsibility of keeping track of the riders position on the horse, initiating game and exercise activities as announced by the instructor and is the main safely guard should an emergency occur.

All volunteers working on the ream are trained extensively in safety techniques and how to execute procedures as a team. The inside side walker is also the Team Leader. The third member of the team is the horse leader who has already trained and worked as a side walker. Horse leaders receive extended training in working with the horse; grooming, backing up, proper leading and handling of the horses, and exercising the horses on off days under the guidance of the Head instructor.

Heads Up relies, almost entirely, on volunteers from the Board of Directors, to the officers, instructors, side walkers, horse leaders, newsletter editor, grant writers, manual labor for building projects, and ranch up keep. Community Service volunteers from our local courts are also utilized. Volunteers are our most precious asset.

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HEADS UP is very proud of our home in the Angeles National Forest, made possible through a special use permit with the USDA Forest Service. This is a fine example of tax dollars at work. The special use permit allows us to save budget dollars. Not having a mortgage or large lease overhead to maintain allows us to put our budget to work where it is the most effective; to provide services. Heads Up is the first therapeutic riding center to receive such a permit. Thanks to the cooperation and dedication of our local Forest Rangers and our Board of Directors, I-Heads Up has a fine and unique center in development to serve many future generations.

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FUNDING


for Heads Up comes in a variety of ways. A number of fund raisers are held each year to add to our budget. An annual candy drive, Bonanza Sale and a special fall dinner with a theme are held each year with the cooperation of many volunteers, a hard working board of directors, parents and a great deal of community support. New fund raisers and fund raising ideas are always in-the-works. Fund raisers are successful only when enough people can be found to head up the myriad of necessary committees needed to accomplish all the work and details of such an event.

We have a base of private donors who believe in the work we do here at Heads Up. These are people from all walks of life who contribute annually either out-of-pocket or designate their donation through The United Way, using a DONOR DESIGNATION FORM provided by The United Way. Although we are not a United Way agency, individuals participating in the United Way drive have the option to designate their pledges to their favorite charity using the donor designation form.

Like other non-profit organizations, Heads Up works on as many grants as possible per year to supplement our different budgets.
Heads Up also has horse sponsors and riders scholarship sponsors. These sponsors come from the private sector, corporate sector, philanthropic organizations and service clubs.

Heads Up is a non-profit organization under Federal 501(C) regulations and all donations are tax deductible. Our federal identification number is 95-4022477.

Return to the front page. For additional information, please contact me, Nancy Pitchford, executive Director for Heads-Up Therapy at 297-7433, or e-mail me at pickrite@earthlink.net

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