The Red Barn
Deep Dives
Deep Dives are free site visits to selected nonprofit organizations that serve critical socioeconomic needs in Alabama. The CEO describes the work of the organization, its history, challenges, and needs. A tour of the facility provides a deeper understanding. Participants may optionally use a provided checklist to make observations and discuss what they observed and learned. Recommendations can be sent to the CEO. This Deep Dive is limited to 15 participants. Please send an email to our Events Chair to reserve your seat and you will receive a confirmation and checklist by reply email: Email John Whitman.
The Organization
The Red Barn provides equine assisted therapy and adapted horseback riding lessons to about 100 individuals each week. Since its founding in 2012, The Red Barn has grown to be the largest PATH accredited agency in Alabama and one of the top 50 in the United States. The Red Barn has 8 full time employees, 8 part time employees, 140 volunteers, 16 horses, 4 goats, 4 bunnies, 4 cats, and other wildlife on its 33 acre property. Learn about this remarkable therapy program and research to study its effectiveness. One challenge is to provide exceptional service to individuals and families that may not be in a position to pay for such assistance. Watch these videos to get a sense of the importance of this work to individuals and families: The Red Barn Videos. Note the location is in Leeds; leave plenty of travel time. It's okay to be early. We start on time.
The CEO
Joy O'Neal began The Red Barn as a class project while earning her MPA from UAB and believes the Barn should be a never-ending learning experience for all involved. She attributes her leadership knowledge to being a mom of 5 children, reading the HBR email blasts and magazine, and watching Start Trek.