Be a Child’s Hero:
Child Sponsorship Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do you need child sponsors?
Although our program is free of charge to every child who participates, it is not free of cost! Our group session program is run entirely with volunteers (including our group session leaders) and largely funded by horse sponsorships and other individual donations, but we have a growing number of kids “in crisis” who need help immediately – including those who are at risk of self harm or suicide – and whose needs would be best served in a one-on-one context. In order to serve those kids and make sure we have an experienced teacher available for them on a consistent basis, we use child sponsorship funds. This ensures that these “crisis kids” get the immediate help they need, with the goal of eventually transitioning each child into our group session program when they are ready. A $25 donation provides one month of one-on-one sessions for a child in crisis – and $300 covers an entire year of one-on-one sessions!
Will I get information on the child I am sponsoring?
Many of the children in our program are in foster care or in other situations where it is not prudent (and, often, not legal) to release their names, ages, photos, or specific background information. Although we would love to be able to introduce you to a specific child, the safety and security of our kids always comes first, so instead of a “welcome packet” with a specific child’s name and picture, you will instead receive regular updates and stories (with names anonymized) about the impact you are having on children in our one-on-one session program! They know that your sponsorships make this program possible, and they are very thankful for each and every one of you!
Can I sponsor more than one child?
Absolutely! There is no limit on the number of child sponsorships – every child sponsored means one more little one who can participate in our program every week!
How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
Just $25 provides a full month (4 weekly sessions) of one-on-one sessions for one child, and $300 provides an entire year of one-on-one sessions for one child.
Can my business/our employees sponsor children?
Of course! We have several local businesses and organizations who support us regularly by monthly giving, or by sponsoring a horse! If your organization or business would like to sponsor multiple children or set up sponsorships for your employees, please contact us directly at 530-953-7178 and we will be happy to help!
Can I come visit the farm and meet the kids and horses?
We welcome visitors to come and tour the farm, observe our riding sessions, and see what we do! We do ask that you always make an appointment first by calling us at 530-953-7178 so we can make sure we have someone free to give you the full tour! To protect our kids’ privacy, we do not allow visitor photography during riding sessions (only some of our children have parental/guardian releases for photography), but you are welcome to come and meet our horses, watch the kids ride, and observe how our program operates!
Our Mission: For Every Child to Know They Are Loved!
Exodus Farms partners with multiple local agencies, including foster care, group homes, youth drug and alcohol rehab programs, schools, counselors/therapists, and mentoring programs, all of whom have unanimously said that the kids who get to participate in our riding program exhibit improved behavior, better grades, higher confidence levels, and improved emotional coping skills and ability to interact positively with peers and authority figures. Their stories are many and varied:
One, a shut-down young lady with a shattered sense of self-worth, gained the courage and confidence over a year of working with some of our most encouraging volunteers and two of our biggest, strongest horses to stand straighter, look people in the eye, and speak up about the abuse she had suffered at the hands of someone close to her.
Another, a ten-year-old who was reported to us as basically non-verbal, chattered away happily her entire lesson as soon as she climbed on the back of our fluffy roan pony, Callie.
A third, a boy who came to our one-week summer “rodeo camp,” spent hours talking earnestly with our horse trainer (who is a veteran) about his dream of a career in the military – he is now a sergeant in the Marines.
Another girl became the first young lady in her family to graduate from high school AND go on to get a college education.
A young girl who previously had trouble communicating her needs or expressing emotions other than frustration, giggled hysterically (“for the first time in months and months,” her mom said) and clearly articulated her desire to “go higher!” on the tire swing.
Sometimes these moments are big and obvious, and sometimes they’re so small you could easily miss them – maybe only the child and the parent would even see them – but every one is significant and impactful in the life of a child. That’s what Exodus’s program is about – providing the environment, the people, and the horses to facilitate these moments happening over and over and over again – the self-discovery, the sudden boost of confidence, the smile for the first time in ages, the dreams for the future reawakened.
It’s hope, and it’s healing – one heart at a time.
The Kids in Your Community Appreciate Your Support!
