Rancho Vista fights for survival
By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News
Rancho Vista Equine Therapy Center, a fixture in the Wellington area since
1997, is fighting for its life. An emergency meeting for all those interested
in Rancho Vista's survival has been set for Dec. 4, 10 a.m., in the Columbine
Room of the Lincoln Center.
The nonprofit organization, located on East County Road 58, provides equine-assisted
programs for children and adults with physical and emotional disabilities.
Ann Streett-Joslin, program director for Rancho Vista, said if help is
not forthcoming, Rancho Vista will have to close its gates at the end of
the year. Assistance is needed in the form of both money and volunteer
help, she said. Four part-time management positions, including two fund-raising
jobs, must be filled for the time being by volunteers, until sufficient
funds can be raised to make them paid positions. Information on the jobs
will be available at the Dec. 4 meeting.
"The application of time, talent and money is the only action that can
save Rancho Vista Equine Therapy Center's remarkable program," she said.
"This program has enriched the lives of the individuals who have received
its services, expanded the skills and humanity of the volunteers it has
trained and returned value to those who have generously donated money and
goods to fund it."
Dr. Don Piermattei of Carr, president of Rancho Vista's board of directors,
said the program is in financial difficulties because charitable giving
is down, especially in Colorado, and Rancho Vista has a limited client
base, so there are few donors with a direct interest in the program. Streett-Joslin
said that only 25 to 30 percent of the center's operating costs can be
recouped from rider fees, and the remainder has to come from the philanthropic
community. The program has never had professional staff dedicated to fund-raising.
The community will lose a valuable program if the center closes, according
to Piermattei. Rancho Vista serves about 250 riders who are handicapped,
at-risk or mental health patients. "It's such an amazingly, uniquely helpful
form of therapy for these people," he said.
Streett-Joslin noted that Rancho Vista recently received Premier Accredited
Center status in the field of equine-assisted activities. Hoping to weather
the current financial crisis, the equine center is accepting reservations
for its winter session set to begin in January.
For more information about the Dec. 4 meeting, people may call Streett-Joslin
at 221-5522.
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