High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Newsletter - Spring 2020

Spring 2020 In this edition: • Reins of Empowerment • Big Virtual Bash • 1,000-hour Heroes • Equines Online • Summer at the Farm

Your hosts for the evening We could not hold our annual gala without the generous support of our Event Partners.

They underwrite the costs involved in making these spectacular community events happen, enabling ticket sales to fund our programs.

Brian Cheney

Trudy Burgess

photo credit: Leslie Hassler

High Hopes' Event Manager

How to Join the Fun -1-

Go to highhopestr.org/bash and click "Register for the Auction" or simply text BVB to 76278

-2-

Order your Stir Crazy Cocktail for curb-side collection at one of Grand Wine & Spirits' five locations following our website link.

-3-

Make it an easy evening by ordering a gourmet dinner for curbside pickup from Coffee's Country Market.

-4-

The Auction opens on May 5th, "Giving Tuesday."

Bid for your favorites and help High Hopes!

-5-

Tune in on the night by clicking the “Watch Live� button on highhopestr.org/bash web page, or by following the links on your favorite social media!

-6-

Join in, bid, and have some High Hopes fun!

A huge shout out to Gary Fletcher at Power Posse Productions who has volunteered to help us orchestrate the evening's entertainment across multiple screens and locations and to these wonderful supporters:

Thank You!

L I V E A U C T I O N , E N T E R TA I N M E N T & C OMMU N ITY S P E C I A LT Y C O C K TA I L S , F U N & P H I LA N TH R OPY

S ONLINE FOR T U HE IN JO

BIG VIRTUAL BASH May 16, 2020 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm D U R I N G O U R 4 5 -Y E A R H I S TO RY, H IGH H OPES H A S FA C E D M A N Y C H A L L E N GES. L I K E O U R PA R T I C I PA N T S W E R I S E TO TH OSE C H A L L E N G E S I N WAY S T H AT R E F L E C T TH E VIB R A N C Y A N D C A N -D O S P I R I T O F O U R C OMMU N ITY.

Welcome to the 2020 Big Virtual Bash - yes, the Big Barn Bash is taking place online on May 16, 2020 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Your hosts for a night of fun & philanthropy will be Lyme local and world-class tenor Brian Cheney, who will broadcast live from his Star Warsthemed studio, joined from her living room by our beloved and inimitable Event Manager, Trudy Burgess.

We will open our online auction May 5th, so you can browse our selection of dinners, experiences, and exclusive boutique items.

The night of our virtual event will feature a live auction, entertainment from Brian, messages from our surprise guests, and a SWEET friend or two will be dropping in that you are going to LOVE. Coffee's Country Market is creating a gourmet Buddah Bowl & Dessert for order ahead of time, so you can have an easy family dinner with no worry about the clean up! Check out our website for more information and to order.

VIRTUAL B A SH IS OU R A N SW ER

THIS YEAR THE BIG

TO H AV I N G F U N W H I L E S TAY I N G S A F E. W E MAY B E

P H Y S I C A L LY D I S TA N C I N G - B U T H I G H H O P E S ’ FR IEN D S K N OW H OW TO T H R O W A PA R T Y - A N D T H I S Y E A R I T W I L L B E ON LIN E! SO GR A B YOU R S P E C I A LT Y C O C K TA I L T H E

Stir Crazy A N D GOU R MET D IN N ER - TO- GO

A N D J O I N Y O U R H O S T S F O R T H E EVEN IN G

TRUDY BURGESS A N D BRIAN CHENEY WHETHER YOU ARE IN C O N N E C T I C U T O R C I N C I N N AT I ; N E W H AV EN OR N EW YOR K ; O L D LY M E , C O N N E C T I C U T O R LY M E , N EW H A MPSH IR E D I S TAN C E F R O M T H E B A R N I S N O L O N G ER A PR OB LEM!

highhopestr.org/bash Order your BVB Stir Crazy Cocktail Kit online to collect curbside at one of Grand Wine & Spirits' five convenient locations.

Each $49.99 kit will contain a bottle of Quarter Horse Bourbon, a bottle each of Prosecco and Simple Syrup, and a lime! Perfect for up to six cocktails. GWS is donating the proceeds to High Hopes.

During our 45-year history, High Hopes has faced many challenges.

Like our participants, we rise to those challenges in ways that reflect the vibrancy and can-do spirit of our community. Our normal operations may be suspended - but as you can see from elsewhere in this Newsletter - neither our work, nor our expenses, can be stopped. During the Big Virtual Bash we will be hosting a critically needed fundraising drive to recoup some of the $250,000 operating revenue we have lost to COVID-19 and the cancellation of our Gala. Help us raise $75,000 and turn our logo red!

Equines Online Our instructors are committed to engaging with participants however they prefer, and we’ve created a survey to assess future virtual instruction interest: https://www. surveymonkey.com/ r/2P3DW5P or find it on our website. Once you’ve completed the survey, we will be in touch to schedule your virtual learning session!

Physical distancing isn’t stopping High Hopes from connecting with our participants and volunteers.

Like many other businesses, High Hopes has been unable to provide our normal services due to the coronavirus outbreak. Though our initial hope was to simply move our schedule around, it became clear that our doors would be closed for far longer. Though this revelation was disappointing, it inspired us to look at our service delivery differently and find ways to remain in contact with our participants and volunteers knowing that High Hopes is their “happy place”.

The instructors began working feverishly to develop content for

various social media platforms – word searches, name that horse, virtual puzzles, tail/hoof/mane identification.

One class continued to meet each week since program was suspended and have covered topics such as tack and equipment, equine care, and breeds. When learning about bridles, the participants played a rousing virtual game of “name that bridle part” that involved ringing in their answer by raising a hand in zoom.

Our Equine Care staff created a 10-minute paddock tour around the perimeter of the property to show our herd enjoying their time off and munching the newly green grass.

These activities garnered thousands of engagements with our social media

fans – people enjoyed the familiar sights at the farm, learning unknown details about their instructors, and challenging their memories. These successes inspired us to launch twiceweekly Zoom coffee meetings where staff, participants, and volunteers could log-in just to chat. We’ve met many family members – human, canine, feline, and equine – we’ve empathized with each other, shared experiences and, most importantly, remained connected.

We’ve also begun direct, virtual instruction and activities for those participants with interest. Instructors can set up individual or group sessions at the same time as “normal” class or at a different time.

Coffee or Cocktail anyone?

Our next Virtual Coffee or Cocktails get together dates are below. Find the links on our website or social media, or if you prefer contact Emily by email ebelliveau@ highhopestr.org and we will send you an invite.

Wednesday, May 6th, 1:30pm Friday, May 8th, 10am Monday, May 11th, 5pm Thursday, May 14th, 6pm Tuesday, May 19th, 2pm

“ I learned I can

accomplish tough and hard challenges, even when I feel like giving up.

”

Reins of Empowerment In the Fall 2019, High Hopes started "Reins of Empowerment," a sevenweek pilot program with a group of adolescent girls.

This research-based curriculum of equine assisted learning activities teaches horsemanship skills such as grooming, tacking, and leading but also provides opportunities to challenge participants to persevere, problem solve, and communicate. The ultimate goal is to offer multi-step programming with introductory, intermediate, and advanced horsemanship sessions that will ultimately lead to an interest in volunteerism and community connection.

Reins of Empowerment participants were recommended by a schoolbased Social Worker, and were middle schoolers with a variety of social and emotional needs. The sessions were supervised by a PATH Certified Instructor and/or Equine Specialist

in Mental Health and Learning and supported by two volunteers – a mental health professional and a horse handler.

This pilot program was funded by:

Thank You!

The program began in the classroom with introductions, expectations, and assessments. Participant involvement in the development of group expectations was encouraged and increased investment and adherence.

Each week, the participants arrived at the farm after school, put their horse

Intern candidates are enrolled in a degree program at a college or university and the internship is designed to fulfill coursework requirements. Because of the diversity of our staff and services, we are able to meet the needs of students with a wide range of interests including: Animal Science, Child Development, Non-profit & Social Work, Occupational & Physical Therapy, and Recreational Therapy.

Internship opportunities are also available for those looking for onthe-job training not necessarily associated with a degree program.

by Chelsea Bourn, Program Director

gear on, and went into the barn for the day’s equine activity. Each session ended with the group sharing their “pits and peaks” – a discussion of what activity was engaging and what challenged them.

They also created weekly Tokens of Appreciation for their peers and placed them in personalized, decorated bags.

They took these home on the last day of the program when family members also attended an awards ceremony; participants were given a certificate of completion, a ribbon, and their Tokens of Appreciation bags.

Our fall 2019 graduates said the program taught them “to persevere more”, that they “are better at things than [they] thought they were”, and they “learned that [they] can accomplish tough and hard challenges, even when [they] feel like giving up”.

applications invited for summer

interns

apply online: highhopestr.org/interns

SUMMER CAMPS Please note all dates, times, and guidelines are subject to change in line with CDC recommendations.

Each summer High Hopes offers five sessions of an inclusive summer camp. The sessions are designed to meet the needs of our campers’ ages and riding skill levels. Throughout our four-day camp sessions, participants experience grooming, tacking, daily riding lessons, trail rides, gymnastics on horseback, carriage driving, arts and crafts, and of course, play inclusive team-building GAMES! No deposits will be required until dates are confirmed.

All sessions are Monday – Thursday, 9 am to 1 pm and each session

BOOK SOON! TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

enrolls a maximum of 16 participants.

In order to keep siblings together we are opening all weeks up to children age 3-12. But all activities will take place in age-appropriate groups.

A number of dedicated camps for different populations and interest groups are also available during the summer. These include IMMERSION and MY HORSE and ME for children referred by Yale NewHaven Lawrence + Memorial Hospital professionals; VETKIDS Camp; and HORSE SENSE Camp for At-Risk-Youth in our communities.

For more information visit our website. https://www.highhopestr. org/summer-programs/

Week 1, July 6 – 9, 2020 - To Be Confirmed Week 2, July 13 – 16, 2020 - FULL Week 3, July 20 – 23, 2020 - FULL Week 4, July 27 – 30, 2020 - 12 places left Week 5, August 3 – 6, 2020 - 10 places left

register online at highhopestr.org/summer-programs

1

1

Week each of Week of VetKids IMMERSION and MY HORSE and ME Camps Camp for Children of with Yale NewHaven Veterans and active service personnel L + M Hospital

1

5

Week of HORSE SENSE Camp for At-Risk-Youth in our communities.

Weeks of INCLUSIVE summer horse camp

VETKIDS August 17 - 20 Traditional Veterans' programs focus on the service member and their spouse or partner. At High Hopes we have created a program that focuses on character development, emotional regulation, team building, resiliance, and communication for the children of service personnel.

The bond participants develop with their horses provides a relaxed and trusting environment in which they can share their experiences of parents being deployed or returning from deployment.

All our participants and many parents commented on how important it is that everyone in the program “was in the same boat,” with shared experiences and shared emotions; something that is not the case in educational settings.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT for a grant which subsidizes most of the cost to participants of this camp. For more information or to sign up, go online to highhopestr.org/programs/summerprograms/#vetkids

Virtual Volunteer Appreciation Week: April 19 - April 25, 2020 Volunteer Appreciation Week at High Hopes is a BIG DEAL. We know that we could not run our programs without the amazing contribution our volunteers make. Flowers, cards, high fives in the barn, and lots of sweet volunteer love in the kitchen – none of this was possible this year because of COVID-19!

But our team, like our volunteers, is flexible and will not let a challenge like a world-wide pandemic stop us

thanking our volunteers through a social media flood of volunteer love.

If you are a volunteer that is not on social media - you hopefully got a small taste in our special volunteer emails.

In the meantime, we want to recognize some extraordinary volunteers – those who over the years have donated 1,000 hours each to our participants, horses, events, and programs.

Making a difference in underserved communities December marked the end of the first of three, 8-10 week rotations for our riders from New London Schools. This program is generously supported by the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation and the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund.

1,000 hrs each!

Suzette "Suzy" Bo, Sarah Ca, Stephanie Ch, Joanne Cl, Judith Co, Connie Co, Kathy Di, Cyndie Do, Rob Ha, Paul Ko, Larry Le, Dawn Lo, Steve Ma, Penny Ne, Pam Pl, Linda Ro, Donna Ro, Rob Sh, Karen Si, Amanda St, Sharon To, Nancy Wa.

SPRING CHALLENGE thank

YOU

The transition to adolescence can be especially challenging for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and particularly for those with disabilities. Many of our New London participants are dealing with multiple co-morbidities - physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges, often combined with speech and language issues. High Hopes’ Equine Assisted Activites and Therapies are designed to help participants succeed in the wider community, encourage confidence and appropriate behaviors, and

promote improvements in balance and mobility.

Through grants from the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, and the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation, High Hopes is able to subsidize programs for this underserved community. As always, the need is greater than can currently be funded so we worked with the City of New London to split our 27-week academic program into three rotations, with each child in the program coming to High Hopes for 8-10 weeks per year.

Thanks to the generosity of some very special supporters, every donation to our Spring Challenge was matched, and we exceeded our goal of $48,000 - a wonderful step towards replacing over $250,000 of operating revenue and income from our cancelled Gala.

36 Town Woods Road Old Lyme, CT 06371 860-434-1974 www.highhopestr.org

Meet Joe - a very special therapy horse at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding - if you want to ‘adopt’ Joe so he can work with more adults, children, and teens with disabilities, call: Kerrie Guarino 860.434.1974 x119 or email kguarino@highhopestr.org

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT # 119 DEEP RIVER, CT