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BETTER CHOICES FOR A BETTER LIFE Our Smart Skills LIFE SKILLS program is designed to develop the skills “at risk youth” need to be successful in society. A creative and innovative resource for the community, TRANSITIONS Empowerment Center offers proven methods while partnering with horses as an effective alternative/adjunct to traditional programs. Youth who attend TRANSITIONS individual or group sessions soon become equipped to make responsible decisions, manage their anger, and develop the social skills society demands. Often time’s academic and school behavioral issues are also greatly improved. By incorporating Equine Interactive Learning (EIL), a cutting edge professional model in which the intuitive nature of horses is used to enhance personal growth, activities focus on teaching life skills which can include self-regulation of emotions, communications skills, social skills and boundaries. Experiential (learn by doing) sessions are designed to be interactive whereby individuals are provided the opportunity to see how their actions impact others and test new strategies for better results. What skills can be developed?
Why bring your group or organization to TRANSITIONS for Life Skills?
"TRANSITIONS really did transition our group... As a nonprofit that serves at-risk youth, very few of our teens and preteens have had the opportunity to see a horse "up close" much less interact with one. On our first visit emotions ranged from excited to terrified. As time progressed those emotions changed to expectant and inquisitive. The youth who were initially leery of such an intimidating animal began to perceive body language, gain and give respect, understand expectations and translate that into their daily lives through their [homework]". Kimberly Horvath, Fiscal Officer
How do children benefit from Smart Skills EIL?
In experiential learning participants are actively engaged in constructing experiences that are uniquely theirs and that have self-generated benefits and consequences. This experiential model provides immediate feedback allowing newly acquired skills to be practiced, then easily transferrable into their own lives. Our program requires no previous experience with horses and does not involve mounted activities. Why horses? Lesson plans from the Journey of the Spirit Horse curriculum are designed to teach character education that support the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. These critical assets have been researched and identify what children need in their lives to become a productive and healthy adult.
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What our clients say about coming to TRANSITIONS:
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EIL sessions provide participants with an opportunity for nonverbal expressions regarding anger, fear, grief and rejection. While participating in the EIL group exercises, for the first time the youth reflect on their own thoughts as well as comments from others. Through the interactive lessons they come to understand how unacceptable decisions are ruining their lives. 
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