For John and Will, Pal-O-Mine isn’t just about horses. Though they both love participating in our Unmounted Equine Horsemanship program, where they engage in hands-on learning that includes grooming, leading and animal care, both also take part in two of our vocational programs: A.R.C., which is Pal-O-Mine’s “Accountability, Responsibility and Career Readiness” Welding Program, and J-STEP, which stands for Job Security Through Equine Partnership,” a program that is centered in the beautiful garden on our 13-acre farm.
Through the A.R.C., John and Will have repurposed horseshoes from Pal-O-Mine’s herd, designing and creating handcrafted metal sculptures while developing skills in welding, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Under the guidance of Mitch, a dedicated Pal-O-Mine volunteer instructor and a retired union steamfitter, John and Will put their creativity to work, with John making Sonic the Hedgehog and Will exploring his passion for aviation in his sculpture of a jet.
Welding isn’t just a valuable skill; it also requires patience, focus and perseverance, all of which are essential qualities in the workplace and in everyday life. As they transform discarded horseshoes into beautiful sculptures, which they’ve designed themselves, John and Will have been building self-confidence while learning that challenges can be overcome through determination and practice.
As interns in our J-STEP program, John and Will spend much of their time in our garden, where they grow flowers, vegetables and herbs in their own patch, which proudly displays their name. They are responsible for learning to run their own business, selling flowers, veggies and herbs through our seasonal CSA and roadside farm stand, as well as the handmade soaps, scrubs, windchimes and other products they design and create throughout the year. Through participation in J-STEP, they don’t only plant seeds, they also cultivate confidence, independence and other life skills that will help them move ahead, one step at a time.
