Unbridled Change, an equine assisted activities and therapies organization, has partnered with Rivermont School in Roanoke VA to mobilize more than 50 young people and community members to participate in the 21st Global Youth Service Day. Volunteers are needed for Friday and Saturday April 23rd and 24th.
Unbridled Change is excited to be participating in this global event by partnering with Rivermont Schools and Foundation for Roanoke Valley’s Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) to affect change in the community.
The mission of Unbridled Change is to partner people with horses through hands-on activities to create lasting change and true healing. Many of the clients they work with are striving to overcome obstacles in their lives due to physical impairment or a history of domestic violence or trauma in their lives. Unbridled Change provides a safe and supportive environment for clients to address a variety of different needs.
The Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) project is “Building a Safer Environment”. Activities include constructing a “pony wall” inside the indoor arena to provide a safe arena for both our riders and our horses. In addition, general improvements will be made to the landscape and facilities.
Rivermont School students will serve as the “leaders” of the service-learning project. This project helps teach youth the importance of community service and combines educational learning and life skill development. The students have been responsible for the project from the beginning with oversight and facilitation from Unbridled Change and Rivermont school staff. The students have measured the arena, developed a budget and project supply list, solicited donors and supporters for the project from local businesses and arranged for volunteers to help them execute the project completely.
Foundation for Roanoke Valley’s Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) has committed to help execute the project with volunteers on Saturday, April 24th as well. The YLC members are comprised of local high school students from the Roanoke area. Foundation for Roanoke Valley started the YLC in 2006 to help introduce students to the world of philanthropy through both community service and The Philanthropy Project. The YLC is responsible for determining important community needs, addressing those needs through a competitive grants process, reviewing grant applications, and making funding recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Governors using a $25,000 budget.
“The rising momentum of the youth service movement is a shining example of the positive change that stems from young people contributing to their communities,” said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “Global Youth Service Day” is a powerful glimpse into the year round participation of young volunteers. It is also an opportune time to connect children and youth who have never served with local projects that will inspire them to lead a life of service.”
“The project combines everything that Unbridled Change is about – learning and developing new skills that help participants live a more productive life plus bringing members of the community together to help change lives for the better” said Michelle Holling-Brooks, founder and executive director of Unbridled Change.
Unbridled Change needs the help of community volunteers to make this event a success! Volunteers will be installing the plywood panels around the arena, painting the boards, landscaping, and sprucing up facilities for Spring. They have projects for all ages so bring out the whole family and have a chance to show community youth what can happen when a community pulls together!
For more information about the event or to get involved, please contact: Michelle Holling-Brooks at 540-719-2171or visit www.UnbridledChange.org.
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