Lowell Police Department Provides Opportunities and Builds Relationships with Youth at Strongwater Farm Riding Program

Horses are giant but gentle creatures that provide focus and calm to those they interact with. Here, two students from Lowell interact with a horse named King at Strongwater Farm — Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Tewksbury. Lowell Police offered a horsemanship program to 46 city youth thanks to funding from the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, administered by the state Office of Grants and Research. (Photo Courtesy Lowell Police Department)

LOWELL — The power of giant but gentle creatures to provide focus and calm brought together Lowell Police and city youth at Strongwater Farm in Tewksbury.

The Lowell Police Youth Services Horse Riding Program at Strongwater Farm — Therapeutic Equestrian Center has been ongoing for several years now, and this year it provided 46 Lowell youth from under-resourced neighborhoods an opportunity that is rare in city environments.

The program is made possible with support from the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research’s Shannon Community Safety Initiative, which seeks to support at-risk youth across the Commonwealth. Strongwater Farm also utilized funds from the Crotty Foundation to support the program.

The three-week program encourages participants to be present in the moment. The horse-human bond established through mounted and ground-based activities facilitates personal responsibility and growth, and helps participants build connections between the natural environment, their community supports, their peers, and themselves.

The program was offered to youth ages 10 to 16, from July 13 to July 31.

The program included six groups of youths, each of whom participated in a weeklong course.

The goal of the riding program is to help youth build relationships with police officers, while also helping the students gain self-confidence. Youth and police officers learn to work with horses slowly, initially learning to bond with and groom the horses, building confidence in interacting with them. Leading and eventually riding the horses comes later in the program, which builds teamwork and gratitude for the assistance along the way. In addition to the hands-on horse skills, all the youth and officers learned about equine-related nutrition, fitness, and care, which translate into personal care outside of the program setting.

Lowell Public Schools provided breakfast for the morning program and lunch for the afternoon program.

Lowell Police Officers who staffed the program include Officer Knud-Henry “Kiki” Louis and Officer Nichole Munera.

The program is one of several initiatives organized by Lowell Police Youth Services, which seeks to create opportunities for all city youth. LPYS oversees after-school activities, athletics, and other ventures that emphasize health and wellness.

“I look forward to the riding program every summer because I have experienced the way the horses bring people together by demanding focus, calm and care. We are proud to provide this opportunity to both city youth and our officers,” said Superintendent Greg Hudon. “We are grateful to our partners at Strongwater Farm and the Office of Grants and Research, and we are happy to see officers and kids building positive relationships.”

“Hosting the Lowell PD youth program at Strongwater Farm for a third year has been incredibly meaningful. We’re grateful for the continued partnership and the opportunity to meet young people where they are and build real connection. Our equine partners play a powerful role in breaking down barriers and fostering trust across the group,” said Strongwater Farm Executive Director Starlet Baker. “What stood out most this year were the conversations – honest, emotional, and full of empathy among the participants. Parents shared how much of a positive difference they saw at home, and many of the youth even asked how they could stay involved as volunteers. While outcomes can be measured in many ways, the true impact is seen in the confidence, connection, and sense of belonging the participants leave with.”

“The Shannon Community Safety Initiative’s success comes largely from the strong collaboration between police and other program partners to support young people,” said Office of Grants and Research Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “Programs like those offered by the Lowell Shannon partners are key to building community trust and ensuring the safety and well-being of our youth.”

To learn more about the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, visit https://shannoncsi.com/.

To learn more about Strongwater Farm, visit https://strongwaterfarm.org/.