More Than a Few Facts...
1. Mini Joys is a non-profit organization, called a 501-c-3. The money needed to run the organization is from tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, or foundations. In addition, a few grant applications per year are submitted.
2. This non-profit corporation was formed in March of 2009, in Boise Idaho, when a diverse board of directors came together to bring these unique miniature horse therapy services to the Treasure Valley. Other similar groups around the country were studied, and then Mini Joys was created to best meet the needs in our community.
Founder, Laurie Bell, loved to encourage and build up children’s self-esteems by providing positive experiences and team building activities in her 21 years of teaching elementary Physical Education. During the summers, she would teach horsemanship and riding skills using her full size horses. Over the years, she had a growing desire to bring horses and children with physical or emotional challenges together in unique and beneficial ways. Thus, the purchase of the first miniature horse and the creation of the Mini Joys outreach.
3. The mission is to spread JOY, HOPE, and HEALING using the help of sweet, gentle, loving miniature horses. While some visits simply focus on spreading joy, most involve teaching a life lesson on topics such as Trust, Friendship, Caring For Animals, Self Value, or the newest Anti-Bullying lesson recently introduced.
4. Program recipients include anyone facing physical, mental or emotional challenges. (That just may be all of us at some time in our lives.)
5. Programs are almost always provided free of charge as many of those we serve do not have the ability to pay, or have any other opportunities to experience these special equine connections. Tax-deductible donations by generous families and businesses in our community make this possible.
6. Most of the teaching programs are for at-risk youth ages 4 to 18 (often those living in shelter homes or foster care), and special needs children (often on the Autism spectrum), who are served in the local schools and through collaboration with other community services.
7. The mini crew is currently made up of four miniature horses, one mini donkey, one tiny mini goat, and a great group of caring volunteers and dedicated board members. Please take a minute to check out "The Crew" tab to learn a little more.
8. Mini Joys provides approximately 45-55 group programs over a ten month period, taking a winter break from late December through February. About half of these are travel programs and about half are at the Ranch. Hundreds of young children, teens, and seniors in need receive programs every year.
9. The five areas of programming are: (The first two make up the large majority of those served).
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Special Needs Students
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At-Risk Youth
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Seniors
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Other Non-Profit Organizations (Sending the Mini Joys Crew to enhance their programs and special events)
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Individuals or families facing medical challenges (most often serving patients at the Children's Hospital)
10. Current teaching topics include:
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Friendship
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Building Trust
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Caring For Horses (and other pets)
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Being the Best Version of YOU
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Giving Back to Your Community
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Growing in Confidence
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Anti -Bullying
11. Ken and Laurie Bell purchased and own the miniature horses, but lease them to Mini Joys for a charge of $1.00 per horse, per month. Mini Joys pays for the feed, hoof, and vet care for the minis. No board or rent is charged for the horses, so this keeps the costs low, and allows donations to go directly toward servicing more people in need.
12. Expenses are also kept extremely low as Mini Joys is run almost entirely by volunteerism. Over 45 big-hearted volunteers give unselfishly of their time, creating a wonderful outreach team. The director is paid a modest salary and “wears many hats” as the only employee: from program design and development, to horse care, to volunteer training and coordination, to fundraising, and holding down the business end of things. The Director meets with, and answers to, the Board of Directors which includes six additional members for all decision making.
To learn more about this unique outreach, PLEASE check out all the tabs on the website. Thank you!
