Basic Organization Information
Challenge Unlimited
- Also Known As:
-
Challenge Unlimited, Inc.
- Physical Address:
-
Andover, MA
01810
- EIN:
-
22-2478997
- Web URL:
-
www.challengeunlimit...
- NTEE Category:
-
E Health—General & Rehabilitative
-
E60 Health Support Services
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N Recreation, Sports, Leisure, Athletics
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N69 Equestrian, Riding
-
O Youth Development
-
O50 Youth Development Programs
- Year Founded:
-
1983
- Ruling Year:
-
1985
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Mission Statement
To provide and promote educational, therapeutic, athletic and recreational services for individuals with disabilities and to provide educational and recreational activities using horses and the working farm environment for people with and without disabilities.
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Impact Statement
First full year with a heated indoor arena - people with low tolerance for the cold continued therapy uninterrupted.
First Team Ironstone - 6 ran the Boston Marathon. Created map of the Marathon at the farm with pegs to mark children's riding 26.2 miles from January to April, raising a $1 a mile. They and our runners raised $24,000!
Named Kiwanis Charity of the Year - funded program for children with behavior disorder from Lawrence.
Began affiliation with the Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Provided 3 full day retreats for people with cancer. Another Team Ironstone did the Jimmy Fund Walk to support the program in 2011.
First adoption party in collaboration with MA Adoption Resource Exchange to bring children with disabilities in foster care together with adoptive families.
Began relationship with local foster care agencies - gave children with no families a farm experience with all services donated.
Successful Spirit of Giving Gala. Sponsor-A-Child auction raised $60,000!
Continued progress for all clients in speech, occupational, physical and recreational therapies. Supported a record number of children at no cost with grant and individual sponsorships.
Engaged in strategic planning process. Successfully initated board support program. Members actively give or raise funds to be directed to operating needs.
Goals for 2011:
To complete renovations on the house. Programs will include after-school art therapies, life-skills activities, and educational seminars and resources for families of people with disabilities.
To initiate a naming rights campaign.
To activate internships for educational and medical professionals on an international level.
To grow our program for people with cancer offering ongoing mental health services.
To focus on board recruitment and development and continue the strategic planning process.
Revenue and Expenses
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Financial Statements
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Chief Executive
Ms. Deedee O'Brien
Term:
Since
Sept
1983
Chief Executive Profile:
Deedee O'Brien came to Ironstone Farm in 1972. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Education, Deedee spent summers working with children with special needs for the Lowell, MA, Recreational Dept. During the 70's, Deedee and Dick Donovan, owner of Ironstone Farm, hosted field trips for children with disabilities. This lead to a regular Saturday morning program, and eventually to the creation of the Challenge Unlimited organization. Dick Donovan supported the programs throughout the eighties with no compensation. In 1988, a lease was arranged, and remained in effect until the purchase of the farm in 2001. Through the generosity of Dick and his family, and the determination of Deedee, Challenge Unlimited grew to serve a clientele of more than 500 individuals weekly from 91 cities and towns, with a staff of 20+ instructors and therapists and more than 200 volunteers weekly.
CEO/Executive Director Statement:
I have been working for Challenge nlimited at Ironstone Farm for almost 30 years and two things have influenced my ongoing belief in what I do: 1) The people who have sacrificed so much time and energy through so many challenges to build the programs; and 2) The courage and determination of the people we serve. Challenge Unlimited's first six years were provided at no charge and on a fully volunteer effort, including the farm and animals being supplied by farm owner Dick Donovan. Over the years staff has worked at way below market value because they believe in our mission. And the volunteer support is incredibly generous and heartwarming. We are now actually working with second generation volunteers! Regarding our clients - an example goes back to the early days when we had no buildings and no arenas. One snowy day we called to cancel people in wheelcairs because we couldn't get them to the riding area. One mother came and brought four sleds and from then on all winter we would bring the children to the riding area in sleds! Another example is a young lady with cerebral palsy that started therapy at 4 years old. She moved away, but wrote every year and said she wanted to work at Ironstone Farm when she grew up. I always said "sure" - as she lived in Hawai! At 21 she arrived and I was compelled to give her a "job". Today she is our receptionist and is invaluable in her ability to talk with all our people. She lives independently. Recently one of our dear key instructors passed away. At her funeral students showed up with their parents that had been with us 30 years ago! Its is moments like these that make me glad we stuck it out through the difficult times and I look toward continuing this "Ironstone Family" far beyond my lifetime!
Deedee O'Brien
Executive Director
Officers for Fiscal Year
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Highest Paid Employees & Their Compensation
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