Giving Alternative Learners Uplifting Opportunities Inc
We have the Horsepower to Change Lives
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
People with disabilities lack effective services. Moreover, the relationship between disability, poverty and incarceration is strong:
“At least one in three of those arrested has a disability, ranging from emotional disability like bipolar disorder to learning disabilities like dyslexia, and some researchers estimate the figure may be as high as 70 percent. Across the country, students with emotional disabilities are three times more likely to be arrested before leaving high school than the general population." http://gallop.nyc/HechingerDisabilityPrisonPipeline.
Even those who have been diagnosed with a disability do not always receive the services they need. A recent NYC Department of Education report found that NYC is not providing needed services to as many as 40% of special needs youth , 80,000 children! gallop.nyc://DOEStudy.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine assisted therapy for people with emotional challanges. .
Equines for Veterans
Therapeutic Riding for American Veterans of Armed Conflict
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities.
Hippotherapy
Physical Therapy provided by an independant specialist with assistance from GallopNYC
Leadership Programs for Youth Development
Using horse based learning to develop leadership and job readiness skills in young people.
Where we work
Awards
Excellence in Board Advancement 2014
Youth INC
Horse Whisperer Award 2014
Equus Foundation
Affiliations & memberships
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International 2016
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International 2021
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of riders who have lessons subsidized in whole or in part
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
All of our riders are subsidized to a degree as lssson fees are set below costs. In addition 80% recieve full or partial subsidy.
Percent of riders who show improved skills - cognitive, emotional, social or developmental
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We establish 3 -5 outcome goals for each rider. The goals range - for example improved posture, socialization, verbal ability, or willingness to try new things. Results can be analyzed in detail.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed social skills (e.g., interpersonal communication, conflict resolution)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
numbers are approximate as we have several outcomes that fit this metric. About 75% of riders with social skills goals show improvement. 2020 data est. due to cut back of programs due to COVID 19
Number of youth who demonstrate leadership skills (e.g., organizing others, taking initiative, team-building)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth
Related Program
Equine Assisted Therapy
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We are developing formal leadership programs for youth with and without disabilities, using horses to build leadership skills. 2020 data est. due to cut back of programs due to COVID 19
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1. To be and continue to be the premier therapeutic horsemanship program in NYC, befitting our great city
2. That every child with a disability in New York City has access to therapeutic horseback riding.
3. Starting in 2014, to double our ridership over the past three years, and then double it again over the next three years. (We achieved this goal but have faced set backs due to COVID 19 pandemic.
We are starting a new strategic planning process now, Jan 2021
Our Values are:
Believe in Ability
Show Compassion and Respect
Collaborate
Care for our Horses, our People and our Resources
Be Brave
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We have worked to develop a plan of action that includes:
1. Strategic growth
2. Diversified program and revenue
3. Taking advantage of NYC resources
We take extensive advantage of pro bono consulting help to expand our reach.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
500 riders per week at 4 locations
Trained and certified staff
Professional standards
Measured outcomes
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have achieved:
Two permanent dedicated sites
Revenue growth
Rider Growth
Growth in numbers of Volunteers
Staff development
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes, Community meetings/Town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
Expanded outreach for volunteers Leadership (jobs) program for our riders
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders,
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Giving Alternative Learners Uplifting Opportunities Inc
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Sol Reischer
No Affilliation
Term: 2020 - 2023
Alicia Kershaw
Alicia Kershaw
GallopNYC
Sol Reischer
Julie Napolitano
Paul Hinton
Battle Associates
Constance Hunter
KPMG
Gavin Case
Macquarie
Damyn Kelly
Lutheran Social Services
Amanda Cain
Esada Qavi
Bank of America
Heather Aspegren
Price Waterhouse
Anna Goodman
Amex
Carlos LaMadrid
US Ski Team
Jagdish Singh
Citi
John Genova
Lucie Vincent
Phillip Morris
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/04/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.