Horsepower: Youth mentoring program revving up

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

August 5, 2004 - Recently-released news reports about the increased use of drugs in rural East Texas, and the increased cases of domestic violence, spotlight the need for programs that will deter these problems.

Ideas for a program to benefit kids, in conjunction with a program to benefit women, are being developed by a horse-related group - which may seem an unlikely source - but with explanation, the group and its growing number of volunteers is perfect.

The United Mounted Peace Officers of Texas (TUMPOT) is developing ARK, a program that will mentor and educate kids, in an area of Texas where statistics show it is most needed. TUMPOT is also developing a program, WAR, that will provide education and guidance to women in need (living below the poverty level) or family crisis situations.

Sure, there are programs in the East Texas area that deal with similar ideas, but TUMPOT is developing a program for kids that will utilize horses. Similar programs that involve horses have been touted as successful for helping kids develop self-esteem, a caring attitude, and responsible characteristics.

"Horses do a lot for people and the way they feel about themselves, and others," cited Captain Nancy Robichaux, the programs' coordinator and TUMPOT founder and current president. She is a captain over the state Honor Guard that Hopkins County Sheriff's Department and Sulphur Springs Police Department can boast have had riders qualified in years past. Plus, Robichaux is an officer with the Hopkins County Sheriff's Department, which gives her experience working with domestic and youth-related situations.

With 1.2 million horses in Texas, and many retirees living in the rural area, the resources are available for these projects, pointed out Hopkins County Sheriff Butch Adams.

"I have no doubt that the services that will be offered in both of these programs will make a difference in the juvenile crime rate. We also feel that these programs will empower the women in these hopeless situations (domestic violence), and let them overcome the odds that they have faced in the past," Adams added.

A news report in late June noted the number of methamphetamine (meth) cases in East Texas has dramatically increased in the last few years. Thirty-seven cases involving meth and meth labs were prosecuted in 2002 by the Eastern District of the U.S. Attorney's Office -- which covers 43 counties from the Red River on Texas' northern border down the state's eastern border to the Gulf of Mexico.

A year later, the number of meth cases had jumped to 72, and there are 29 open cases so far this year, according to The Associated Press story on June 27.

Also in June, the Texas Council on Family Violence reported 140 Texas women died last year in acts of domestic violence. According to the statistics, which the council compiled from several state and local agencies, three of four Texans are either victims of domestic violence or know someone who is.

In related news, statistics from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services show the reports of child abuse/neglect cases are on the rise.

More statistics show an increase in the number of single-parent female heads of household, an increase in households that are below the poverty level, and the number of high school dropouts.

While the ARK and WAR programs are great ideas that could combat these statistics, it takes more than agreement that the programs are needed, and that they will make a difference. It takes funds to construct the needed facilities and volunteers to orchestrate such an effort.

Robichaux has talked to numerous groups about the developing ARK and WAR programs and their great potential for positive results.

Networking with many federal, state, and local entities, Robichaux is developing several grant requests to obtain the funding to build a center which would "offer services for the three-county region for the mentoring program for kids using horses, ... plus women's education services for alternative job training and adult education."

The three-county area targeted by TUMPOT's efforts are Hopkins, Wood, and Franklin counties - an area where the population and law enforcement statistics show there is a prime need for the programs.

Robichaux is a veteran at using horses to benefit people. Besides training groups of volunteers and law enforcement officers who are part of TUMPOT (which involves all aspects from equine desensitization to search and rescue, and from handcuffing from horseback to equine nutrition and anatomy), she has worked with individuals who need training to be better horsepersons.

Robichaux is sold on the idea that people can personally benefit from working with horses. So is Police Chief Rhett Davis of Powers, Ore., who has successfully conducted RIDER (Realizing Individual Dreams Equestrian Ranch) since May 2000. When Davis' program began, he had five horses and eight teenagers, but within months, 43 young people joined the program, which includes signing contracts agreeing to live clean lives for three years and to care for the horses at the ranch. To begin his program, Davis obtained a $5,000 grant, donated two of his own horses, and called on the community to help out.

At this point, that is what Robichaux is doing - donating a few of her own horses and time, and calling on the community to help. In order to obtain grant funding, a good show of community support is needed.

"Right now, I really need business and professional people who are willing to serve on a steering committee," she said. Once the programs are under way, volunteers - from retired teachers to old cowboys to moms with school-age kids - will be needed.

Besides the need for people power, Robichaux also pointed out there is a current need for donated funds and/or land that can be used to build the planned facility.

Already Robichaux, whose energy and dedication to helping others is remarkable, has garnered support from organizations such as the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) and the Greater East Texas Transportation Alliance. Robichaux and her husband have also completed training that qualifies them as national supervisors for the VISTA program, whose workers can help with the programs' current collaborations process.

Plus, an area dentist has agreed to provide dental work and help recruit other area dentists to donate their skills to help the women who will be looking for employment. The dentist also worked with a company representative to get the necessary dental equipment donated for a small clinic that would be operated within the program.

Two volunteers are currently on board to help write the grants and fill out the necessary forms. Letters of endorsement have been written by ETCOG, Sheriff Adams, and Juvenile Probation Officer Robbin Vaughn.

"The Eighth Judicial District Juvenile Probation Department is excited about the prospect of a new resource to service our children," said Vaughn. "We have heard excellent success stories of equine programs and feel (the ARK and WAR programs) will be a great asset to our community. ... We have seen first hand that no matter how much you change a child, you have to also work with and change the family in order to be successful."

Also on-board with the idea for such a program is State Rep. Bryan Hughes. "I support this simply because it works ... and these type programs have proven to be effective in other places."

Hughes added that he will see what the Texas Legislature can do. "In January '05 (when the legislature reconvenes), I will lay the groundwork" about vying for funds to assist with ARK and WAR programs.

Persons interested in serving on the programs' community board, or donating land or funds, may email Robichaux at umpoot@lcii.net or phone 903-857-2403.