BLACKBERRY CREEK IS EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SANCTUARIES JAMESON HUMANE AND RANCHO COMPASION TO OFFER HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS HANDS-ON FARMED AND DOMESTIC ANIMAL CARE EXPERIENCE, AND HUMANE EDUCATION BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY, 2022
On behalf of non-profit animal sanctuaries in Northern California–Jameson Humane, Blackberry Creek, and Rancho Compasión–we are thrilled to announce a new pilot program for high school students that will begin in February 2022. This new humane education program, “Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet” (LEAP) offers participants hands-on farmed and domestic animal care experience, humane education, and the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship by volunteering at participating animal sanctuaries. We encourage any interested high school students to apply for the Spring semester with a deadline of January 23, 2022.
What is the LEAP Program?
- Each week from February to June 2022, for 10 hours per month, students and their peers will meet at a local animal sanctuary to care for rescued animals, assist with infrastructure projects, and participate in a humane education curriculum, all culminating in a community-based project related to the rescued animals!
- LEAP empowers students to be compassionate catalysts for change, by addressing three main points: the ethics of using animals for industry and its effects on human communities, connecting with and caring for rescued animals, and what we can do to curb climate change.
- At the end of the student’s completed term with LEAP, they will receive a financial scholarship of $500 to put toward their future.
Why Consider LEAP for your student?
- With a diverse array of learning methods–such as construction projects, basic veterinary care, and public outreach–students will become adept at:
- public interface & networking
- group leadership & personal leadership: leading by example, and leading a life aligned with their ethics
- problem solving
- practical hands-on skills, whether on the ranch or in the office
- social-emotional learning and empathy
- Commitment to the animal sanctuary residents, rain or shine, teaches patience, dependability, and resilience.
- Students will be rewarded with financial compensation, letters of recommendation, and be connected with a vast network of nonprofits and mentors.
What sets LEAP apart from other agricultural programs?
LEAPers will have many of the same opportunities that other ag programs offer–working with other LEAPers from around the region, participating in local events, learning from experts and mentors, receiving financial compensation for their work, and, of course, spending time with the animals–but without the financial and emotional burden of raising and showing a slaughter-bound animal.
What makes a great LEAPer?
- Candidates for the LEAP program understand the social responsibility they have as the next generation of leaders, and want to make a difference in their communities.
- They are students who are considering joining an agricultural learning program but do not feel that the primary offerings are right for them or aligned with their values.
- They love outdoor, physical learning, community involvement, connecting with animals, and caring for our environment.
We feel that there is no better time to introduce a program such as this. As humanity enters a dangerous threshold for our viability on this planet, LEAP asks young leaders to critically examine the systems and traditions that have led to this point. We hope you are excited to share this rigorous yet rewarding program with your students. Learn more about who we are as well as application information on our website at leapfortheanimals.org (this site will be available beginning in early January, 2022) .
What was the catalyst?
"The original student leadership program named, KEEPERS (Kindness, Ethics, Education, Philanthropy, Empowerment, Responsibility, and Sustainability), began in 2017 at Blackberry Creek and was inspired by the bravery of a high school student named Audori. After participating in a traditional ag program, she decided that the kindest and most ethical thing she could do for her beloved pig, Sebastian, was to save him from slaughter and ensure he had the long, happy life he deserved.
Sebastian’s story turned into the catalyst that inspired other students to reach out, seeking not only sanctuary for the animals they had lovingly raised, but the chance to continue to care for and learn about farmed animals while being directly involved in changing the way society views them. With the need evident for an opportunity that would encompass leadership, responsibility, sustainability, and compassion, the first iteration of the program was born."
Watch Sebastian and Audori's story unfold here...
Sebastian’s story turned into the catalyst that inspired other students to reach out, seeking not only sanctuary for the animals they had lovingly raised, but the chance to continue to care for and learn about farmed animals while being directly involved in changing the way society views them. With the need evident for an opportunity that would encompass leadership, responsibility, sustainability, and compassion, the first iteration of the program was born."
Watch Sebastian and Audori's story unfold here...
What about KEEPERS?
KEEPERS, our original student ag program, was simply rebranded and expanded after two years of learning how to improve it! All of the essential elements we loved about KEEPERS were transferred into LEAP along with many new components to better benefit students.