7/19/18 Kid's Camp at Mea Ola's Place
Local horse rescue serving at-risk youth needs help to relocate. (photos: GiveSendGo)
Local Horse Rescue Needs Rescuing by the Community They Serve
Christie Martin December 18, 2015 News
PHELAN-(VVNG.com): Mea Ola’s Place is a non-profit horse rescue in Phelan, that rescues abused and neglected horses. These horses are provided medical care, love, affection and the training that enables them to provide therapy to at-risk youth, military service members, physical and sexual abuse survivors, senior citizens and many others.
The vast majority of the rescued horses, some that were once thought to be permanently disabled, thrive with the assistance of the Mea Ola’s Place staff and volunteers. These horses through their own rehabilitation are used to help provide therapy for foster children, trauma victims, those battling substance abuse, and those with special needs. This gives the horse additional love and affection from the youth they are inadvertently helping in return.
Recently, the directors of Mea Ola’s Place got some disheartening news. The location that they are currently located at, is now for sale despite what they say that owners of the ranch told them for three years. Mea Ola’s Place founders were led to believe that they would have the opportunity to purchase the leased property with the owners carrying the note. On October 15, 2015 they were made aware that the property was listed for sale with a broker.
A new location has been located, and the founder, Lalainia “Ann” Kline said it is the perfect place to relocation. For now, the funds are needed in order secure the owner carry purchase of the ranch. A large down payment is required to make this location the new and permanent home for Mea Ola’s Place. Lalainia “Ann” Kline, the Founder and President said in a statement, “As the property of a non-profit organization, this new ranch could only be sold to another non-profit organization in the future.”
According to Kline, the ranch that they are currently at would need to be vacated, moving everything including about twenty horses to the new location by February 1, 2016. “No amount is too small. We also have our pay pal donations from the website to add here, and the donations from our “on foot” campaign, as well as checks that come in. Please do not be discouraged to give a small amount if you can.” If you would like to help save Mea Ola’s Place, they are asking for any donations on their “Give Send Go” Donation account or on their website through their paypal account.
A holiday version of one of the Mea Ola's Place summer kids camp with Ann Kline holding the namesake of M.O.P. Photo submitted by Ann Kline
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By Kathy Young
Staff Writer
Posted Dec. 10, 2015 at 7:27 PMAnn Kline, President and Founder of Mea Ola’s Place, a Place for Survivors located in Baldy Mesa, is not one to let the grass grow under her feet. In fact, if you look around, you won’t see any grass growing at all. Not a blade.
Over the years Horse Talk has covered M.O.P’s fundraisers and some of their more exciting adventures including the rescue of a newborn Morgan foal Rowdy rejected by his dam; the successful treatment of Spider, a Thoroughbred colt with a fractured pelvis; and arrival of a companion for Rowdy from the BLM feral burro program. Those are just the first three news stories that pop up on our computer search. Rowdy is now 19 months old, healthy, happy — and almost 15 hands high — and still romping with his burro buddy Gasston. Spider is, in Ann’s words, “the embodiment of joy.” His pelvis has healed and he is becoming an important participant in many of the M.O.P. activities.
As there plenty of activities, to be sure. In her "spare time," Ann organizes and oversees kids camps in the summer, horse-themed birthday parties that started last fall as well as senior Saturdays once a month. She is always looking for additional ways M.O.P.'s four-legged residents can do more for others.
Several months ago Ann learned that the lease for her present location would not be renewed. She must move everything by February 1, 2016.
Ann sought — and found — a new home, with an owner willing to carry the note and is seeking donations to cover the relocation expenses. She has applied for 501(c)3 status so donations will be tax deductible.
A bit of history
Originally based in Tehachapi, M.O.P. began in January 2012 with a number of horses seized by Animal Control in Bakersfield. One winter in those mountains was enough to convince Ann to move to the Victor Valley, and a friend helped her find the ranch that has been home since then.
With the rescue namesake Mea Ola’ and her filly Sassy and all the residents she has gathered since, Ann has made M.O.P. something special.
For the past three years she has used M.O.P. to aid service members from Fort Irwin, sexual abuse survivors, adults and children burdened with various emotional challenges, senior citizens in need of friendship and a regular “horse fix” as well as people suffering from depression, victimization and other issues. The M.O.P. programs available include Equine Assisted Therapy, kids camps, horse-themed birthday parties and more.
With the recent tragedy in San Bernardino, Ann has offered free services to aid the shooting victims and their families.
“Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your loved ones and our deepest sympathy to all of you survivors,” Ann writes. “Visits to the ranch and enrollment in any program we facilitate will be offered to you at no cost during 2016.” First responders and their families are also invited.
The move and how you can help
The new location for M.O.P. is just a few miles from its present location, but it is the “perfect forever home.”
It is located on a paved road, is approximately 10 acres fenced and cross-fenced with a 10-stall barn that will be earmarked for critical care and hospitalization cases. There are pens with shelters, turnouts and several arenas. A mobile home is available for guests — Ann has entertained several M.O.P house guests from around the world.. There are outbuildings for meeting places or party headquarters so the weather can do whatever its thing while everyone will be comfortable.
Right now Ann is seeking donations for the down payment. The current owner believes in Ann's mission and wanted to see the place stay a horse ranch. Since it will be owned by a non-profit agency, it can only be sold to another non-profit. Ann is adding a Foster Youth Coordinator next year to head the newest addition to the M.O.P. offerings for foster youth to work with the horses.
By giving what you can, you will be keeping Mea Ola's Place in the High Desert and helping Ann and her rescues help others in need.
If cash donations aren’t possible, you can donate your time and energy to M.O.P. Dependable and regular volunteer help is always welcome. Even if you have little or no experience around horses, Ann welcomes the “many hands” that make light work and will train you to do whatever job you feel comfortable taking on.
Visit the ranch, take the tour and meet the horses. Talk to Ann and find out how you can help. If you have fundraising experience or anything else that might be helpful around the farm — carpentry, welding, tractor work, etc. — let Ann know.
Go to www.meaola.org to learn more about the history, the horses and the people. Catch up on everything this busy bunch has been doing, and help them secure a permanent home for the operation.
Contact by email is info@meaola.org, via the Facebook page — type "Mea Ola's Place" in the search bar; by mail to P.O. Box 291013, Phelan 92329 or by phone at 661-557-2680. If you have ideas for fundraisers, items for online auctions or other donations, let Ann know as well.