Green Chimneys Making a Difference
One School that Reaches Out to Youth and Families All Year Long
Dec 5, 2008
Green Chimneys is known as the world leader in animal assisted therapy. They have a residential program for children as well as a school for special needs students. Green Chimneys was started in 1947 by the Ross family, who purchased a 75 acre farm in Patterson, NY. A year later the first class of 11 students started. Now, the school has close to 200 acres and almost 200 students. They also have an additional campus with 350 acres of land.
What Does Green Chimneys Do?
Green Chimneys strives to reach students emotionally as well as academically while building relationships between families, children and the animals on the farm. They involve students in daily farm activities, caring for the animals, plants and other wildlife. The teachers and other workers strive to reach both educational needs as well as emotional and mental needs through both a school and a social services program.
Those who work at Green Chimneys are dedicated to giving children the chance to thrive when previously they were unable to. These children may have learning difficulties, emotional or behavioral issues, or simply had extraordinary difficulties in their lives. Through animal assisted therapy, children are able to feel better about themselves, and build a hope for a future.
The director of the Farm and Wildlife Center, Michael Kaufmann, explains that “so many people today don’t have a chance to spend meaningful time in the presence of farm animals, wildlife and even plants. Green Chimneys makes just this kind of experience a reality for children”. In total, the programs at Green Chimneys reach 3,500 children and families each year.
How You can Help Green Chimneys
Green Chimneys is a government funded program, but much of their income comes from generous donations. These donations enable them to reach out to hundreds of children, making a powerful difference. These donations have also allowed Green Chimneys to move from a last resort for troubled youth to a first step for any child who may not fit a traditional program as children learn to reconnect and learn through experiences on the farm.
The farm houses more than 200 animals that need to be fed and cared for on a daily basis. They are always accepting volunteers to help with every aspect of farm care including mucking out stalls, feeding the animals and other chores. They also have a list of volunteer options that allow opportunities to those who are interested in helping out in other ways. There are also internships and job opportunities for those who are interested.
Find out more about Green Chimneys, what programs they offer and how you can be a part of the difference they make on a daily basis in the lives of children and families. Green Chimneys may be the answer many parents are looking for, as they look for a way to help their children when other programs cannot.
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