Boys Town Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Youth Give Back

Boys Town Pennsylvania youth are working to provide the same help, healing and hope given to them to others in their community.

In a recent community service project, youth and family service consultants worked with the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy, providing disabled individuals with therapeutic activity and exercise through horseback riding while concentrating on ability rather than disability.

“It is important for our youth to take part in creative community service projects that impact others,” said Jessica Harley, After Care Program Director. “Pegasus works with the same holistic, therapeutic approach we take here at Boys Town.”

The community service project provided valuable learning opportunities for youth and staff. Pegasus staff taught the participants about the children’s disabilities and the purpose of riding therapy. Youth and staff walking beside the horses guided disabled children on horseback and also helped feed, clean and groom horses in their stables.

“Exposing our youth to individuals with life-long disabilities and the therapies to teach these individuals, may guide our youth’s behaviors,” said Harley. “The Boys Town approach allows treatment and progress towards disabilities through positive decision-making. This leads inevitably to evaluate self-esteem and self-confidence.”

Community service such as this, fulfills the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) requirements for the after care program. BARJ is a new framework for juvenile justice reform which seeks to engage citizens and community groups both as clients of juvenile justice services and as resources in a more effective response to youth crime.