WE RIDE TOO
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Mission Statement
Building strong communities through the equine experiences. We Bring Oakland Youth together to form genuine relationships and become excellent horsemen. Allowing all to be their authentic self. We collaborate with horses to heal humans.
About This Cause
We Ride Too is a grassroots nonprofit organization that was established in January 2020 amidst a series of social injustices, the global pandemic, and regional California fires. These varying issues resulted in isolation and emotional consequences for Oakland Youth and continued to heighten the disparities they already struggled to overcome on a daily basis. Our objective is to offer equestrian opportunities to Oakland's youth, many of whom represent racial, socioeconomic, and geographic demographics that have historically been underrepresented in the sport. Our program is certified in equine facilitated learning and we offer our services free of charge to all participants. We currently partner with community social service agencies to meet the mental health needs of youth and their families. We pride ourselves in our ongoing efforts in community outreach as the impact for our youth has been dynamic. The Bay Area boasts a thriving equestrian culture that traditionally has not been accessible to those who could benefit from contact with horses due to geographical and socioeconomic barriers. Unfortunately, as founder I personally have encountered discriminatory attitudes from local equestrian facility management, including one who told me that “Black People Don’t Ride.” This experience is what inspired the name of our nonprofit, We Ride Too. Today, Black Americans' participation in equestrian sports remains relatively low compared to other racial groups–in fact, only 4.4% of equestrians in the U.S. identify as Black. This discrepancy can be attributed to various factors, including financial barriers, lack of access to resources and facilities, and limited representation in the equestrian community. At We Ride Too, we are proud to be a part of the growing movement to increase representation and access to resources and opportunities in equestrianism. Our mission is to provide a secure environment where all Oakland youth can learn to become skilled equestrians and develop genuine relationships. Oakland is a city divided into seven districts, each of which offers a wealth of diversity and culture. We believe that our differences are our most significant asset and can be a valuable legacy for our youth. We strive to guide them in developing healthy relationships with themselves and others. Horsemanship is a powerful tool for fostering healing and community. Horses, being sentient beings, provide individuals with a safe space to establish relationships in a non-threatening manner. Horses are remarkably intuitive, capable of sensing and identifying human emotions and intentions. Scientific research has shown that horses can synchronize their heart rate with that of a human, a phenomenon that exemplifies the bond these animals can create with humans and impact lives. These encounters are not merely superficial, as they establish positive behaviors that extend to various aspects of daily life. Other tangible benefits of youth horsemanship include: ● Physical benefits: Improved flexibility, core strength, and balance, improved heart health ● Mental benefits: Reductions in stress, anxiety and depression, improved symptoms in adolescents who have experienced trauma, improvements in overall mood ● Social emotional benefits: Boosts self-esteem, self-awareness and feelings of empowerment; improvements in communication skills and navigating interpersonal relationships. Our credentialed equine facilitated learning program benefits youth by allowing them to engage in a symbiotic relationship with horses. Through this experience, they gain valuable skills such as trust-building, boundary-setting, and increased mental focus. Our participants have reported notable positive outcomes such as a reduction in anxiety and depression, as well as increased self-esteem and well-being. In some cases, participants have also shown improvement in academic performance. Some have ADHD, fear of strangers, and have had suicidal tendencies due to bullying. In fact, some parents have sought out our equine facilitated learning program as a recommended adjunct of care by their healthcare providers. Over the past year, we have conducted community outreach and have facilitated one-on-one encounters with horses for nearly 250 Oakland Youth in the Oakland Redwoods (Sequoia Arena). We have also partnered with other non-profit organizations, to provide inner city youth access to nature and equestrianism. Our goal for this year is to expand our programming to The Oakland City Stables, which was purchased under a legislated bond measure. We strive to leverage all available resources to enhance the mental health and equestrian experiences for Oakland Youth. Funds raised will be utilized to, 1. Enhance the mental health of our Oakland Youth Equestrians at no cost to participants 2. Increase diversity, and inclusion of participants and volunteers from mental health agencies that wish to incorporate horses into their treatment modalities. 3. Expand our programs and services to include therapeutic riding. 5. Fund a community equine facility that is accessible to Oakland Youth. (Oakland City Stables) Our mission is big but not impossible. We ask for your collaboration and donations, which will have positive impact for all. Many Hands Make Light Work @ We Ride Too