Open House at Mounted Dream Center to Help Fund New Program
Mounted Dream Center invites the public to an Open House under the large ranch oaks, this Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event will include live music, lemonade and refreshments, children’s games and prizes, a tour of the ranch, a silent auction and a special drawing. One of the drawing prizes (with a $25 ticket) is a red roan gelding with trail experience and a trailer. Proceeds from the silent auction and drawings will fund a new Vocational Training Program for high school teens. This year Sonora High School ‘Workability I’ students will be offered work related opportunities in collaboration with the Mounted Dream Center Ranch (MDC) activities. Students participating in the Workability I program with Kathie Danicourt and Shelly Kendall of the Tuolumne County Office of Education are matched with individual career oriented goals through programs and services that help link school and work-based learning opportunities. Students working at the MDC will find that youth development and leadership skills will be focused on self advocacy, self determination, leadership opportunities, personal management, career development, and work readiness skills, all in a comfortable and safe social setting provided by the MDC and staff. Activities will include learning horse oriented activities, crafts, fundraising activities, ranch and garden responsibilities. Additionally, there will be woodworking, computer skills and many interpersonal events available directed towards enhancing the students’ career related experiences and achievements.
Mounted Dream Center, Inc, which focuses on helping those with ‘special needs’, operates entirely with the current volunteer staff of 35+ individuals. Now in their third year of operation, they are pursuing support from private foundations to help reach more of the underserved in the community. “Many of the clients who need our services come from families unable to afford even a minimal service fee. Without community support, we could not offer this unique program,” said program CEO. Ms. Taylor-Welch.
“This fall, we will be advertising for business mentors interested in sharing a business trade or skill with the teens at MDC Ranch,” said Dennis Going, the ranch Maintenance Director. “Running our ranch inherently covers many areas of trainable business skills. Anyone who has a few hours a week is encouraged to contact us if they wish to help in this new rewarding program.”
So far MCD has received cash donations from many local families and businesses and raises funds quarterly through benefit dinners and Open House events at the ranch. MDC currently receives grants from Tuolumne County Women’s Network, Wal-Mart, Black Hat Foundation, EMBLEM Club, Black Oak Casino, Sierra Foothill Women’s Club, The Humane Society, Thrivent Financial, Sonora Regional Medical Center, Kinematic, Mr. Electric and most recently, Union Bank of California.
Their long-term goal is to secure a major national grant for an arena cover which will allow year round operation, regardless of weather.
To find the ranch, go to the corner of Racetrack and Jamestown Road. Follow the signs and balloons to the Mounted Dream Center. For more information or detailed directions, visit info@MountedDreamCenter.org or call 209-533-8930.
