Founded in 2014, Changing Leads Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that connects underprivileged and at-risk youth to the wonders of horsemanship.  Changing Leads wants to make the world of horses accessible children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet a horse! 

We run introductory programs (which are typically once a week for eight weeks) and comprehensive week-long summer camps, as well as year-round programs. Additionally, we offer sponsorships to children who express interest in continuing their horse pursuits! 

We have Six Key Values at Changing Leads:

• Respect

• Empathy

• Perseverance

• Self-esteem

• Responsibility

• Confidence

HOW DOES IT WORK?

BARNS

We partner with established therapeutic riding facilities that primarily focus on people who have mental and physical disabilities -- Changing Leads introduces at-risk populations to these barns. Below is a list of our current partners:

AT-RISK YOUTH

We work with both male and female children ages 6 - 18. We do not discriminate based on gender, sex, color, or religious affiliation. We feel horses can have a positive impact on everyone!

All of our participants are introduced to Changing Leads Foundation from an organization, such as a youth group, charter school, or agency. If a child really "clicks" with horsemanship, we have the ability to offer scholarships for year round programming.

WHAT WE'VE ACHIEVED

Since inception, we have introduced 80+ at-risk youth from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to Changing Leads programs. We wanted to start small, do it right, build an effective program that we could easily replicate across the United States.

ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS HAVE THREE KEY PILLARS: