Detective Dorothea Leftwich, the first African American woman in Pittsburgh’s mounted police unit, is using her love of horses to launch a program aimed at empowering inner-city youth through horseback riding and leadership development. “My goal wasn’t to be the first African American female. It was to ride horses,” Leftwich said. The Riding Into the Future program was launched this summer. It is a collaborative effort between her, 4-H, and Sunni Bell Stables. At a welcome breakfast, about two dozen kids learned how they would get the chance to go horseback riding in Washington County for free. There are seven sessions they will participate in. “To plant a seed into a kid is my goal; that there’s all kinds of jobs we twine in between this horse and arena, agriculture field, and stuff like that I want to expose them to as well,” Leftwich said. Sonya Bell, owner and head trainer at Sunni Bell Stables, expressed her enthusiasm for the program. “To watch the kids grow from maybe being afraid to work with the animals and leery of being around them to being able to lead them. And we’re just really excited to be able to bring this to a larger group of kids,” Bell said. Leftwich highlighted the importance of providing children with opportunities outside the city. “To have that ability to learn how to ride horses and provide something for them to do outside of the camp in the country and get them out of the city, because there’s so much going on within the city,” she said. The program also aims to address challenges children may face at home and in their communities. “Fulfill the mental aspects that are going on and within the home. They may, even as an officer, feel comfortable with communicating crime that’s going on, and talking. So there’s so many avenues that can be, again, handled with this program,” Leftwich said. The community response has been overwhelming, and while only 20 kids could be accommodated this year, the goal is to expand the program annually. The program will conclude at the Washington County Fair, offering a unique experience for the participating children.

PITTSBURGH —

Detective Dorothea Leftwich, the first African American woman in Pittsburgh’s mounted police unit, is using her love of horses to launch a program aimed at empowering inner-city youth through horseback riding and leadership development.

“My goal wasn’t to be the first African American female. It was to ride horses,” Leftwich said.

The Riding Into the Future program was launched this summer. It is a collaborative effort between her, 4-H, and Sunni Bell Stables. At a welcome breakfast, about two dozen kids learned how they would get the chance to go horseback riding in Washington County for free. There are seven sessions they will participate in.

“To plant a seed into a kid is my goal; that there’s all kinds of jobs we twine in between this horse and arena, agriculture field, and stuff like that I want to expose them to as well,” Leftwich said.

Sonya Bell, owner and head trainer at Sunni Bell Stables, expressed her enthusiasm for the program.

“To watch the kids grow from maybe being afraid to work with the animals and leery of being around them to being able to lead them. And we’re just really excited to be able to bring this to a larger group of kids,” Bell said.

Leftwich highlighted the importance of providing children with opportunities outside the city.

“To have that ability to learn how to ride horses and provide something for them to do outside of the camp in the country and get them out of the city, because there’s so much going on within the city,” she said.

The program also aims to address challenges children may face at home and in their communities.

“Fulfill the mental aspects that are going on and within the home. They may, even as an officer, feel comfortable with communicating crime that’s going on, and talking. So there’s so many avenues that can be, again, handled with this program,” Leftwich said.

The community response has been overwhelming, and while only 20 kids could be accommodated this year, the goal is to expand the program annually.

The program will conclude at the Washington County Fair, offering a unique experience for the participating children.