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Academy Seeks Youth Program Funding
(posted Oct 18)
Desert Moon Equine Youth Academy is seeking funding from Eagledale Lafayette
Square Area Weed and Seed (ELSA) to provide truancy, after school and summer
day camp programs. The initial $14,392 will cover a 10 to 12 week youth
program starting in October.
Sahara Williams, the academy's owner, explained the program may not be
continuous because the winter cold often detours kids from coming. However
she emphasized her fixed cost continues with feeding and caring for the
five horses regardless of attendance. The two and one-half acre equine
academy is located at 3902 Moller Road. She explained the overall yearly
budget would be $187,000. The truancy program would comprise 47% of the
budget, the day camp 37% and the after school program the remaining16%.
The truancy program is to assist the youth that have strayed and have been
expelled or suspended from school. The program is to steer them to responsibility
by caring for horses in hopes they'll change their behavior. "The
youth academy is about learning," Williams said. The proposed program
would serve IPS 109 students two days a week and high school students three
days per week. Each visits last two hours.
ELSA President Mark Killgo was concerned about accountability because the
Justice Department requires the Weed and Seed funded sites to measure a
program's success. At issue is the ability to show accountability for a
program during the winter months when most participants would not attend.
ELSA Executive Director Scott Rosenberger also had concerns about reimbursing
the academy when children might not be participating.The Justice Department
funds the Weed and Seed program up to a $1 million for a five year period.
The board agreed for Killgo, Rosenberger, and Barbara Ward of IMPD to develop a reimbursable plan that would be funding the kids' participation and not feeding the horses.
The board agreed to vote electronically since Williams wants to start the program in October. The board also amended its rules and policy to reduce the number allowed for a quorum from nine to seven members. The board has not been able to conduct business for the last three meetings due to a lack of a quorum. IMPD Major Paul Ciesielski expressed his disappointment about the dwindling number of participants.
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