from the Standardbred Retirement Foundation

Millstone Twp., NJ — The Standardbred Retirement Foundation’s Youth Program finished with much reluctance from the kids who asked to continue as volunteers.

Fourteen-year-old Megan Van Ettan was one who vows to volunteer at all of the Standardbred Retirement Foundation’s events after school hours.

“I loved it, I have my favorite horses like Houdini’s Show, 28-year-old Sea It Again, Conner Seelster, and Rivers who luckily just found a home with a nice lady who lives near my grandmother’s house.”

Once the academic year gets underway SRF will have the local schools to the Cream Ridge, N.J., location and other locations as well ready for new groups of youngsters.

Fourth and fifth graders will be dropped at the farms by their school buses after school to spend the afternoon learning life skills while getting hands on experience with SRF horses waiting for homes.

The next group of youngsters will be chosen by the school’s counselor based on their needs, such as giving the kids a place to go after school to avoid domestic violence, parental alcohol use, and other issues that make being at home troubling.

SRF continues with its program at the Jamesburg Home for Boys, a last ditch effort for teenagers that are incarcerated. The program is in its eighth year and makes the budget cut every time due to its success. More than 100 kids benefit each year.