A local police officer has started an initiative to help thirty children from priority neighbourhoods discover a different perspective and outlook on life.
Cst. Les Drost of the Saint John Police works in the Family Protection Unit and says the program will give children the opportunity to go to Snider Mountain Ranch for one weekend a month for the next eight months.
Drost says some of these children have never been out of their neighbourhoods, let alone Saint John.
He says it’s a way of showing them there are different things out there, which is why they decided on the name “New Horizons”.
The New Horizons program will allow the children to take part in activities like horse back riding, rock climbing, archery, team building games and more.
Drost says there will also be structure in the program with children expected to make their beds, clean up after themselves and help out at the ranch.
Twenty children from Saint John and ten from Sussex will take part in the program.
Drost and his wife will be volunteering at the ranch and there will also be several paid staff present.
New Horizons will be completely free of charge for the children who attend.
That includes transportation costs, accommodations, food, clothing and any other program costs.
Individuals, organizations and businesses who would like to help through donations are encouraged to do so.
The Snider Mountain Ranch is a not-for-profit organization and receipts can be issued for donations.
For more information on how to donate: bit.ly/2f0FScw
