Last week I connected with an organization called The STAND Foundation based out of Washington D.C. STAND is an acronym for STRENGTHENING
Courtesy of STAND
THOUGHTS AND NURTURING DREAMS.
“The STAND (Strengthening Thoughts and Nurturing Dreams) Foundation is a 501c3 organization in Washington, D.C. The purpose of The Stand Foundation is to provide an opportunity where inner city youth can gain knowledge, skills and confidence through equestrian and rodeo readiness training. The STAND Foundation is in the business of changing and shaping lives through nature. The work we do is aimed at providing a holistic approach to solving some of our society’s biggest challenges. We make sure our partners are empowered by creating opportunities for individuals and communities.”
Courtesy of STAND
Especially now during Covid, Strengthening Thought And Nurturing Dreams gives kids an outlet to be wild and free while riding horses, during a time when they are otherwise isolated and confined due to coronavirus, says Selina Brown, the nonprofit’s founder of STAND.
I had been looking for an organization that helped kids and also involved horses. My connection with horses started as a teenager and helped me through some troubled times when I was younger. I also was living on a Horse Ranch and caring for Horses in my early 20’s when my father passed suddenly from a massive heart attack. I think it was the calmness of living amongst the horses and their caring and insight that helped me through those times as well and helped me heal from his loss.
STAND has ongoing needs for their program which you can read about on their website. They run Horsemanship Programs, Summer Camps and Everything Equestrian Programs.
I mailed several packages of my Equine Fine Art to The STAND Foundation for them to use for fundraising or giveaways or how ever they see fit. I enjoy knowing that some young child who loves horses in another part of the country may have a horse photo to treasure on their walls and to remind them of their connection with themselves and with the outside world.
The STAND Foundation and Sister’s Horsing Around
The foundation reached out to Sister’s Horsing Around and is now working together with these two young equestrians. Sisters Horsing Around has teamed up with the STAND Foundation to teach equestrian camps and after school programs. I’m following both organizations on Social Media and have been very impressed with their caring and genuine attention and intention to make a difference in the life of a child through a HORSE!!
Jody Miller is a professional photographer specializing in Horse Photography, Equine Photography, and Equestrian photography. Her work can be viewed online here in her gallery section, and she is also featured at these Arizona Galleries: Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery on Whiskey Row in Prescott, AZ and Coops Coffee House at Talking Rock Ranch. Several images are also available at The Phippen Western Art Museum