GREENWOOD, Mo. - The Helping Hands Therapeutic Riding Center (HHTRC) is located in a serene part of Jackson County. But the facility for disabled and autistic children and adults is facing foreclosure, again.
To avoid foreclosure, the non-profit which rents the property, will have to raise $50,000 in the next 45 days. That way, HHTRC can put a down payment on the property and buy it from the owner.
The property is appraised at almost $700,000. If all goes well, it could sell for $380,000.
The HHTRC has been helping families for four years. Students learn how to groom, tack and ride horses. But it's more than that. Through a series of games and exercises, riders improve on their listening and communications skills. And with each lesson, they gain more self esteem.
"It's helped out a lot with his confidence, it's changed a lot since he's been here," John Williamson said about his 11-year-old son Kenny.
According to instructors, students learn how to take direction and how to relate to people and animals.
"The first thing they learn when they're around an animal is you can be hitting, you can't be loud. So they immediately find this sense of calm and it makes them behave differently," said instructor Amy O'Neal.
Republican State Representative Jeff Grisamore of Missouri's 47th District is doing all he can to help. He's reaching out to community leaders and even health care providers. He's confident they can raise the money through a grassroots effort.
Founders of the organization say they'll do whatever it takes to stay put.
If you would like to donate head to the center’s Web site at
hhtrc.org
