RED Arena - Jennifer Young

 

Jennifer Young, PT, MS, is a baseball mom of two teenage boys at DSHS. She is a Physical Therapist and the owner of Children's Therapy Services, a private pediatric therapy company serving the Greater Austin Area. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of RED Arena, a local nonprofit.

 

RED Arena was founded in 2006 with only 6 riders and today has 150 clients.  In 2014 they added mental health therapy and a job training program.  In 2017 the non-profit added a reading program where the children read to the horses, then brush them.  The organization added a sibling program as well.

 

The Arena is maxed our of space on their 20 acres and are seeking at least 50 acres to build a covered arena.  They currently have 10 horses on property and 2 instructors bring their horses.  The annual cost for horse care is $50,000.  1/3 of their funding is grants and donations; 1/3 of funding is from program fees and the final 1/3 is from fundraising.  Their largest fundraiser is a horse show the Saturday after Memorial Day and had over 1,000 in attendance last year raising $125,000.  They will begin the 'ask' and sponsorship opportunities in January, watch for more news on this.

 

The organization has over 200 volunteers with only 12 staff members.  Each single rider utilizes at least 3 volunteers/staff for each ride.  This maximum coverage allows for safe therapy.

 

RED Arena  www.REDarena.org  or Face book will provide you the most up-to-date information.