Editor’s Note: The following is the second installment in a
series of articles connecting our readers to the area’s most needy
residents during the holiday season. The Morgan Hill Times will
present the stories Nov. 28 through Dec. 22.
San Martin – When 14-year-old Joel Harris comes into the room, there is an immediate change in the level of energy, but it’s energy with a purpose.
While Joel is anxious to meet new people, share his experiences and talk about his friends he can’t express himself verbally very well, the result of a motor-control disorder.
From birth Joel has struggled to communicate, but he has developed his own means of getting his message across. His mother Becky and relatives call it “Joel sign,” a mixture of sign language, sounds, and Joel’s own pantomime and gesture interpretations.
In trying to find help for her son, Becky said, friends repeatedly mentioned the Dream Power Foundation, a social service agency based in San Martin that offers therapy to children and adults with a twist: part of the therapy involves caring for and learning to ride horses.
“It has been just wonderful,” Becky said. “It has only been two months, so we haven’t seen a change in his communication skills, but any improvements with Joel come painstakingly slowly. What we have seen, immediately, is his enthusiasm for the program. He starts looking forward to his next visit as we are leaving the ranch after the last one.”
According to founder Martha McNiel, a licensed marriage and family therapy, Dream Power works with children, teens and adults that have mental, emotional and behavioral problems. The foundation also serves youth in foster care or group home environments and juvenile justice youths.
“Joel is a marvelous teen,” McNiel said. “He is truly a pleasure to work with.”
His loving, giving nature makes Joel a perfect candidate for Dream Power, she added. He and other clients learn to groom the horses, saddle them and eventually ride them, working with a therapist and a volunteer during the session.
“This is such a great approach to helping, I’m just so glad he looks forward to it,” Becky said.
Joel’s dad, Paul, said he sees many benefits to the foundation.
“The self-confidence they instill, the healthy self-esteem, the belief that everyone has talent, everyone has something to offer, those are priceless things,” he said. “I can’t tell you how happy we are that Joel is working with them, how wonderful Martha is.”
While Joel is anxiously awaiting his next weekly session at the foundation’s ranch in San Martin, he is busy being home-schooled by his mom, playing with his friends and his dogs and helping to care for his grandmother, Alice who has Alzheimer’s disease.
“He walks around the property with her, he lets me know when she’s gone outside, and he loves to bring her ice cream, which she loves,” Becky said. “He really takes good care of her.”
Whether it’s his grandmother or the Dream Power horse he works with – named “TC” for “Too Cool,” Joel enjoys giving of himself and being with others. He also enjoys playing with his dogs and friends.
“That’s one of the things about the program that’s so good, for Joel, and I’m sure for other people, too,” Becky said. “Not only are they receiving help, but they are helping, they are contributing, they are not just passively sitting in a chair.”
McNiel said that like other social service agencies, Dream Power needs help in the form of donations. Joel’s family put up an outbuilding at the property, but there are smaller items needed, including cash donations. Specifically for the holiday season, the foundation is creating holiday bags for the clients. To fill the bags, McNiel said, donations of new horse-related items are needed, along with new warm gloves and socks, packets of hot chocolate, decaf tea and cider, cases of water, boxes of tissues and art supplies. The deadline for the holiday bag items is Dec. 5.
DREAM POWER FOUNDATION
Dream Power Foundation needs cash donations. The agency is creating holiday bags for its clients and needs new horse-related items along with new warm gloves and socks, packets of hot chocolate, decaf tea and cider, cases of water, boxes of tissues and art supplies. The deadline for the holiday bag items is Dec. 5. For more information about Dream Power Foundation, contact Martha McNiel at 12425 Foothill Ave., San Martin, (408) 686-0535 or e-mail to dr********************@*****il.com.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
