Mission and Values

The Mission of The CREW Urban Youth Equestrians is for youth of color to reach their full emotional and academic potential while opening career opportunities within a caring equine Community that builds Relationships, Empowerment and Well-being (CREW)

Students will have a shared purpose of care and responsibility. Taking care of the horses they develop a sense of community with other students, program volunteers and boarders. They will cultivate a deeper sense of community with their families, friends, and schools.

Community

Students will learn natural horsemanship, the fundamental premise of which is to build a relationship with the horse. This relationship is based on connection and communication. They come to understand how their actions and emotional state influence how the horse responds to them. It is through this knowledge that students build relationships with the horses, deepen their level of self-awareness, and practice emotional management. These skills will transfer to their relationships with family, friends and school.

Relationships

Empowerment

As students develop their natural horsemanship skills, they begin to understand that power is not always about physical strength. They learn that a sense of empowerment comes from within, and is grounded in empathy and trust. Training horses is about the horse trusting you to see him, keep him safe and respect his boundaries.

Well-being

Meeting new friends, training horses, and building trust with others in the program is the formula for a profound and lasting sense of physical and emotional well-being.