Therapeutic Equestrian Center

*********At this time, TEC is looking for a facility to continue riding lessons during the fall of 2008, which would include indoor arena time. If you know of a facility please contact TEC at info@tecfarm.org or 269-471-0700.*************

Providing Therapeutic Horse Related Activities to
Those With Special Needs

Dear Friends and Supporters of TEC:

This summer will be a busy time at Therapeutic Equestrian Center as we undergo several significant changes, to help our programs continue to grow and reach many more people with special needs. We’re excited to tell you about what we’re up to—and how your continued interest and support can help us achieve these goals.

As most of you know, TEC exists to enhance the lives of people with special needs through engaging them in horse-related activities. TEC’s programs help people from children to seniors find hope and reach potentials they never thought possible. As one student said to her mother about this new sense of self, “I can’t believe how amazing I am!”

You, our volunteers and supporters, are equally amazing. Your support has helped us touch so many lives.

But there are so many more lives we could touch. Our service area of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties includes almost 45,000 people with disabilities and 4,000 special-needs children ages 5 to 15. To increase our organization’s capacity to reach many more people, we have decided to undertake an organizational development process that will include several significant steps. Not all of these steps will be easy, but after serious discussion our board and staff are convinced they are vital to making TEC one of Michigan’s premier nonprofit organizations—and one that can serve as a model across the state.

We greatly appreciate the generosity of Pat Forbes in helping establish TEC and bringing us to the level of success we currently enjoy. The organizational development process will build on this strong beginning, by helping us envision and plan a new facility, a more effective infrastructure, and an expanded programming roster that will accommodate many more special-needs individuals. Some of the highlights of this process include:

Evaluate our current programs to determine how we can operate more efficiently, by maintaining and expanding programs while becoming as cost-efficient as possible

Increase our fundraising efforts to generate income that will help us sustain these excellent programs, and develop new programs, within more efficient infrastructure.

Identify and relocate our operations to a space that will accommodate the projected growth, but maintain an appropriate setting that will enhance participants’ experience.

Prepare to apply for accreditation from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. NARH sets international standards and safety requirements for equine therapy programs. In addition, they maintain a code of ethics and support research on equine programs for people with disabilities. NRHA accreditation is a vital step to enhance our ability to best serve our constituents and our community.

“The smiles and pleasures students share with me are worth more than gold.”
–Vicki O’Neil, TEC Volunteer

During this process, some of our riders and volunteers will participate with We Can Ride 4-H Club, an independent program that we have been involved with from our start. This continuation will provide ongoing collaboration for TEC riders and volunteers during our reorganization.

Because we will be without a “home” for a period of time—and also as a cost-effective measure—TEC’s horses will enjoy some R & R by being stabled with volunteers. These dedicated supporters will provide them with the highest levels of care and affection during the reorganization.

This is an exciting time for TEC. Despite the challenges of undertaking an extensive planning process, we believe many new doors will open and many new friends emerge as a result. We are convinced that these efforts will form the backbone of a strong and thriving organization.

The incredible generosity of those of you receiving this letter, our long-time friends, has helped us achieve so much. In the 3 short years TEC has existed, more than 155 of you have given more than 8,000 hours of your time, which has enabled us to provide more than 950 hours of instruction to people of all ages. With your support, our programs have helped them take big steps forward, toward a better, more empowered, and more self-directed life.

We will keep you informed as we move through our planning process, by sending you periodic updates and posting key information on our web site, www.tecfarm.org. Watch for it! We are committed to TEC continuing to make a positive impact—and with your ongoing involvement and support, we will. Thank you for your dedication to helping us achieve these goals.

Sincerely,

The TEC Board of Directors:

Barbara Lenhardt

Judith A. Buck

Margie Hojara-Hadsell

Autumn Zick