VOLUNTEERING

What is a Freedom Ride Volunteer?

Freedom Ride Volunteers are able to be a part of all aspects of our program. Volunteers assist with cleaning stalls, grooming the horses, helping our students in their lessons, fundraisers, special events, etc. No horse experience is required, but all volunteers should be comfortable working with and around horses.

We ask our volunteers to commit to a few hours a week for each session. Our sessions generally run January-May, June-August, and September-December. Volunteer shifts are 7 days a week, mornings, afternoons and late afternoons depending on the schedule of that day. All volunteers must be at least 16-years-old.

Before starting to volunteer

 

Before starting to volunteer you must attend a New Volunteer Orientation. The orientation will give you an overview of the therapeutic horseback riding program and the volunteer role. There is a registration fee of $20 due on orientation day which is NON REFUNDABLE. (With this fee you will receive a Freedom Ride volunteer t-shirt which you will wear each time you come to volunteer).

Freedom Ride has a comprehensive intake procedure for new volunteers which includes checking references and a basic background check. Please follow the steps below to become a Freedom Ride Volunteer.

STEP 1

Download the Volunteer Registration Forms

Volunteering Forms Download and Print Section

STEP 2

Complete and return your Volunteer application to Freedom Ride.

STEP 3

Once your completed application is reviewed, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to the next available orientation.

Note that there is a non-refundable $20 registration fee that is due at Orientation. (check or cash or credit card)

 

Group Volunteer Information

Freedom Ride provides fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities for groups. There are many tasks that we need your help on including painting fences, facility maintenance and other projects around the property! Please note that participants in one time group volunteer projects are not able to assist with our weekly classes.

All group participants must be at least 14 years of age. We can accept a maximum of 10-12 participants in each group at one time.

Group Volunteer Application

    I’d like to learn more about the capital campaign

      Pat Michaels

      Media and Public Relations, OneBlood

      pat.michaels@oneblood.org

      Pat Michaels is a past Board President, and he has headed up media and public relations since 2004, first at Florida’s Blood Centers, now OneBlood, the nation’s second largest blood center in the country. In addition to directing media messages, stories, and media events, Pat oversees a department of journalists who produce stories about blood donation, donors and patients. His 25 years as a TV journalist gives him a story-telling perspective, providing stories for the OneBlood website and all social media. Pat holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Valdosta State University. He continued his education in meteorology at Mississippi State University, using those credentials as an on-air meteorologist in several TV markets. He is a children’s book author, writing “W is for Wind” published in 2005.

      Joanne Grant

      Mills 50 District

      Joanne has a Master of Arts in Speech & Journalism from Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
      She has experience in venue management, at Orange County Convention Center, Ocean Center in Daytona Beach and Orlando Centroplex and in entertainment management as Director of Entertainment for Universal CityWalk and Director of Entertainment Production for Universal Orlando.
      Currently, she is Executive Director of Mills 50, one of the City of Orlando’s ten Main Street Districts, and has overseen its growth since 2010. Mills 50 is known as the “foodie” district due to its abundance of locally owned restaurants and the “artsy” district because of its focus on public art including murals, painted utility cabinets, storm drains and dumpsters.
      Joanne is Secretary of the Board of Directors of The Center Orlando, Secretary of the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation Board of Directors, past President of the Board of Directors of Freedom Ride and a former member of the Board of Directors of Harbor House.
      In 2017, Joanne was a recipient of the Summit Award, presented by the Women’s Resource Center of Central Florida. She has won two Telly Awards for the videos she produced for Primrose Center and Harbor House.

      Jan Coudriet

      Jan is working at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Results Realty. She has specialized in the Orlando vicinity helping buyers and sellers for over 30 years. Jan has vounteered at the National MS Society, Girl Scouts of America, and Canine Companions For Independence. She is a proud Mom and Grandmother. As a lifetime equestrian herself, Jan believes in the bond between horses and humans that is healing in so many ways. In Jan's words, 'it is an honor to be on the board and give back to this community'.

      Amy Daly

      Secretary

      Amy Daly is Vice President, Principle Scientist and Director of Environmental Services for CPH, Inc., a full service A&E firm. She assists clients with navigating the regulatory world to obtain approvals for residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, water & wastewater treatment plant projects with state, federal and local governments. Mrs. Daly develops and implements permitting strategies to address wetlands, threatened and endangered species, water quality and industrial discharges. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Master of Business Administration. Amy is always interested in volunteering her time to worthwhile non-profit endeavors and Freedom Ride has provided an excellent opportunity to give back to others. When not working and volunteering, Amy enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.

      “I believe that Freedom Ride provides a wonderful opportunity to help someone improve their physical and mental well-being and provide them with a sense of accomplishment. I take great pride in knowing I can be a part of that experience.”

      TJ Houmes

      Treasurer

      TJ Houmes, CPA is an audit manager for Withum, Smith and Brown, PC, an accounting firm located in Orlando, FL. He manages financial statement audits for clients in the not-for-profit, government, hospitality, and agriculture industries. He attended the University of Central Florida and holds Bachelors of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance, and a Master of Business Administration. He has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Florida since 2014, and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Florida Institute of CPAs. He believes in the importance of helping those in need, and is proud to be a part of an organization that the provides services to individuals with disabilities in our community and help enrich their lives. When he is not working and volunteering his time to Freedom Ride, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing softball with his firm’s softball team, and attending UCF football games.

      Chris Nemethy

      Vice President

      Christopher Nemethy is a Project Manager – Senior Architect II for HuntonBrady Architects. He has been with the firm for over 28 years with a total of 33 years in the practice. He holds a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Architecture from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He leads his team of architects, designers, project coordinators and consultants for various types of projects from design all the way through construction. His specialty is Medical Office Buildings, Outpatient Surgical Centers and Physician Interiors although he has experience in working on Commercial Buildings, Commercial Interiors and Convention Centers. He is currently a member of the American Institute of Architects and a past member of the Executive Committee for the local AIA chapter.

      As a professional and long-time resident in the local community he feels it is our obligation to give back to the community as much as possible. By engaging in Freedom Ride, Inc. and reaching out to local organizations as volunteers, we can help shape the community and help out those in need so that they can all feel like they are a part of the community.