Hooley Horse Youth Initiative

07/12/2026

We are incredibly honored to have the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative featured in the Journal Gazette. Through hands-on experiences with horses, students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and learn the SHIP traits that guide everything we do: Self-Control, Humility, Integrity, and Perseverance.

One of the greatest joys has been welcoming students who may have never had the opportunity to interact with horses before. Watching fear turn into confidence and uncertainty become courage is why this program exists.

If you would like to help provide FREE programming for local youth, you can make a tax-deductible gift through our fiscal sponsor, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. Simply scan the QR code in the pinned post. Every gift, no matter the size, helps remove financial barriers so more students can experience the life-changing lessons horses have to teach.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for investing in the next generation.

🐴 Horse Encounters. Life Lessons.

As City leaders continue to address concerns about violence in the community, local organizations are using $125,000 in youth violence prevention microgrants to expand mentoring and support programs for teenagers.

05/30/2026

🐴 Horse Encounters. Life Lessons. 🐴

We loved having this group of young ladies out to the farm last week as part of the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative!

Throughout their time with the horses, they learned important horsemanship skills while also growing in the SHIP traits that guide our program:

• Self-Control – Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to anger.
• Humility – Consider others, then yourself.
• Integrity – Do what's right, even when no one is watching.
• Perseverance – When it's hard, keep trying.

One of the most amazing things about horses is how they help us slow down, become aware of our emotions, and build confidence through meaningful connections.

Our favorite quote from the day came from one of the young ladies:
"I feel like this horse might be reading my mind. He just gets me!"

Moments like these remind us why we do what we do. Thank you to everyone who supports the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative and helps create opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive through the power of horses.

If you would like to help provide life-changing experiences like this for local youth, please consider making a gift to the Hooley Horse Youth Initiative. All donations are tax-deductible through the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. Simply scan the QR code below to give and make an impact in the life of a young person.

05/09/2026

These students have done such an amazing job at the farm! Not only did we do some more riding today, but they also helped us move hay and even had races with our horse carts, except this time, the humans were the horses!

Over the past few days, we have worked through three of our SHIP traits:
• Perseverance — When it’s hard, keep trying!
• Self-Control — Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to anger.
• Integrity — Do what’s right, when no one’s watching.

We have seen so much growth, teamwork, and encouragement from these students already. One more SHIP trait to go! Looking forward to seeing them again next week at the farm!

Horse Encounters. Life Lessons.

05/05/2026

What a great day at the farm with this awesome group of students!

So far we have learned about two of our SHIP traits:
• Persevere — When it’s hard, keep trying!
• Self-Control — Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to anger.

These students showed incredible growth as they worked through new challenges with confidence and teamwork. From learning how to saddle a horse to cleaning out a hoof, they stepped up in a big way. There’s nothing quite like the experience of holding up a 1,000-pound horse’s hoof while your partner cleans it out, talk about trust and courage!

Two more days to go… let’s ride!