Summer, 2018 In this edition: High Five for Horse Show Days Serving Those who Serve Sharing Hope When You are New in Town
June in the Legacy Society Garden
Sally Aubrey honored with the Lytt Gould Leadership Award During a beautiful June afternoon in the High Hopes Legacy Garden, friends, members of the Legacy Society, staff and Sally-admirers joined with Board Chair, John Catlett; Executive Director, Kitty Stalsburg, and Development Director, Sara Slayton Qua as they surprised Sally with the Award. Named for the husband of High Hopes’ founder Sis Gould, the Lytt Gould Leadership Award recognizes those who have demonstrated leadership, vision, and commitment to the sustainability and future growth of High Hopes. Through their words and deeds, they have placed y2
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Spanish Tapas & Music Event
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A Capella at Hayden’s Point, Essex
High Hopes at the forefront of philanthropic organizations. An avid horsewoman and naturalist, Sally was awarded the 1998 North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) National Volunteer of the Year Award. That award recognized not only her association with High Hopes from its inception in 1974, but also her life-long passion for therapeutic riding and (along with her pony Splash,) mentoring of young riders through the Pony Club.
Holly & Jeff Ridgway and Hannah & Jamie Childs were also honored for their leadership of the Share Hope Endowment Campaign which will be launched in the Fall.
Join the Legacy Society - by making a bequest and thereby recognizing High Hopes in your will.
Even today, celebrating her 93 birthday, it is clear that High Hopes’ mission remains an intrinsic part of Sally’s life as she continues to volunteer on the front desk and, in her understated but quietly influential way, ensures that on a daily basis High Hopes lives up to its mission and maintains the highest possible quality of service. t8
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Program starts for schools
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"Celebrate" for participants & volunteers
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Columbus Day - no a.m. school groups
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HH Program Holiday Break Market no class
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We could not have asked for a better week for Horse Show Days. Not too hot, not too cold, just beautiful weather for the friends and families of our participants to watch, enjoy and celebrate their achievements over the academic year. Whether riding, driving or taking part in the unmounted Equine Learning Program, all of our guest Ribbon Presenters were amazed at just how much Horses & Humans can Improve Lives. During the weeks leading up to Horse Show Days we asked our visitors to vote for their Horse of the Year - and our gorgeous, coffee palamino, Oliver, was the winner!
Serving Those Who Serve For many who have served in our military, the ability to remain relaxed in the present moment and make connections with other people is more difficult than for most of the general public; often as a by-product of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When operating, especially in combat zones, it is vital that military personnel are acutely aware of their surroundings at all times. For many, this hyper-vigilant state
does not subside when they return home. As one serviceman said, “last week I was traveling in an armored vehicle aware that at any moment we may hit an IED [Improvised Explosive Device]. Today I am standing on the sidelines of a soccer field, watching my children, and expected not to react if an airhorn sounds.” Some have lived in this hyper-vigilent state for years affecting sleep, work and relationships. Because horses are
by nature prey animals, they have evolved to live in a similar state of hyper-vigilance but with healthy emotional regulation. For example, horses can see nearly 360 degrees and are constantly scanning their environment even as they graze peacefully. Spending time with the horses is a great way for Veterans to be present in the moment as well as to develop the communication and emotional intelligence to build and maintain healthy relationships at home and work. Founded in the concepts of natural horsemanship and developed by a Licensed Counselor and a Certified Coach, The Equus Effect at High Hopes allows veterans to apply what they learn with and about horses, in the context of their own personal experiences. Some veterans go on to volunteer or participate in traditional High Hopes riding, carriage driving and equine learning programs as a way to stay involved and reap the many benefits of being with horses.
Military Families Serve Too! We understand that in a military family ‘kids serve too,’ and we have created programs especially for children of veterans and service members. In the summer we have a 4-day, intensive horsemanship camp, and we also run a 1-day program during the winter break. Designed just for military children, this program takes horse-inspired insights to foster creativity, develop assertiveness, learn to deal with conflict, and make lasting connections with horses and each other … all while having a ton of fun! The bond participants develop
with their horses provides a lowkey and trusting environment in which they can choose to share their unique experiences of parental deployment. All our ‘VetKids’ and many parents comment on how important it is that everyone in the program “is in the same boat,” with shared experiences and shared emotions; something that is not often the case in educational settings. We are currently looking at the feasibility of developing a spouses program too. If you are interested, please contact Megan Ellis, mellis@highhopestr.org.
2018 Gala Sch0larship Drive #MarksStory June 27, was National PTSD Awareness Day, the culmination of a month of national activities designed to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Over 600 of you came to our Annual Gala and Scholarship Drive, and we are so grateful for your continued support.
It’s never too early to Save the Date
06/08/2019
Commonly known for its impact on those who serve in the armed forces or emergency services, PTSD can also affect people from all walks of life and all circumstances. Children who have been subjected to bullying, physical, emotional or sexual abuse; families who have witnessed violence in their communities or schools; and those who have been involved in, or are first responders, for major accidents or other traumatic events. The focus of this year’s Gala Scholarship Video was #MarksStory which featured Mark Czmyr, a thirty-year airforce veteran with tours of duty including Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Mark completed The Equus Effect Program at High Hopes and tells how making a lasting connection with Latino as part of his treatment program ‘got him through.’ Mark has since transitioned from the program to weekly volunteering at High Hopes. Meet Mark and find out more about his story on our website, Facebook page, or by searching Youtube with the keywords #highhopes and #marksstory. You will be amazed at what the horsehuman connection can achieve!
Sandie’s Story we had come to the US on. It turned out however that I didn’t have to look anywhere else. Before I knew it I had completed the volunteer training and was signed up to work at the front desk ... far away from any horses!
Volunteer Spotlight I arrived in the USA in June of 2016 and moved to Old Saybrook. My husband was going to be working out here for four years and we didn’t know anyone! We had had an orientation visit two months before, which lasted for seven days, and we literally had time to find a house and a school for our thirteen year old daughter.
So from not knowing anyone, within weeks a whole new world opened up for me. I met so many wonderful people - staff, volunteers, participants and their families. We usually think that by volunteering we are benefiting others, which of course is absolutely true; I have felt an immense sense of happiness and pride whenever I tell people I volunteer at High Hopes because the benefit we bring to others is immeasurable. But for me, and I’m sure for many others, volunteering has brought huge personal benefit - I made friends when I knew no one. At a time when I wasn’t sure what my life was going to be like, I found a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
New Faces at High Hopes
Gary Rogers of Madison and Gregory Varga of South Glastonbury were appointed to the Board of Trustees in June. Read more and meet all of our trustees at highhopestr.org/trustees
know someone new to town? My daughter is ‘horse crazy’ and when we were looking for things for her to do in the summer someone mentioned High Hopes. We arranged for her to attend a volunteer training and I went with her because she was a bit nervous. I should mention at this point that I am allergic to horses, so I didn’t think High Hopes was an option for me. I was keen to find a volunteer position; I was not allowed to take paid work because of the type of visa
I always look forward to the days I work at High Hopes and have never had a single moment when I didn’t want to go in for a shift. I have made so many great friends and will miss it terribly when I have to go back to the UK.
next volunteer orientation dates 8/7/18 and 9/5/18
corporate sponsors spotlight
Rachel Golden has been appointed to the position of Lesson Coordinator working alongside Program Director Megan Ellis. Rachel moved to High Hopes from Horse Ability, Long Island, NY
Hall of Fame
Hope Builders Program By joining our new sustainer program, Hope Builders, you can help steer High Hopes towards a financially stable future – one where anyone who can benefit from our services is able to participate, regardless of their individual circumstances.
In May, Latino was honored by the Equus Foundation as a 2018 inductee of their Horse Stars Hall of Fame which celebrates the extraordinary talent of horses and the magical and powerful horse-human bond.
Hope Builders are dedicated individuals who choose to make a monthly commitment, of as little as $5 per month, to provide support for High Hopes participants & horses. To keep our fees affordable, we provide financial assistance to 100% of our participants by subsidizing 75% of the real cost of every service we provide. This is in addition to need-based financial aid and is only possible through the generous support of your donations.
This monthly giving program is an easy way to provide steady support for our on-going work. Please look at the chart below to see how your monthly gift makes an impact. You can join our monthly Hope Builders Program by visiting our web site at highhopestr.org/donate or by filling out the enclosed donation envelope and adding the donation frequency. You can also contact the Development Office at High Hopes (development@highhopestr.org / 860-434-1974 x 119) to enroll or with any questions you may have.
A small amount helps Build Hope month-by-month
PATH Region 1
Volunteer of the Year
What it buys
$5
buys Nifty and friends a bag or two of carrots
$10
a month helps recruit & train one volunteer a year
Credit: Paula Deutz Photography. Congratulations to Jackie Kangley on her Region 1 Volunteer-of-the-Year Award which recognizes her outstanding contribution to High Hopes. Jackie runs her own business, and she and her husband, Stephen Dedman, live in Hadlyme. Jackie has been volunteering at High Hopes for over 15 years and a Trustee for the last 6 years. She has recently been appointed Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.
$25
each month makes sure Jazz has enough grain
$50
a month pays the farrier to keep Al’s feet in shape
Thank You!
$100
each month provides one tuition scholarship a year
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT # 119 DEEP RIVER, CT
36 Town Woods Road Old Lyme, CT 06371 860-434-1974 www.highhopestr.org we are proud to have been awarded
give with confidence make a difference
you are invited - upcoming events at High Hopes Buy your Tickets for The New Consort A Capella Music beneath the Stars & Gourmet Picnic overlooking the Connecticut River at Hayden’s Point, Essex August 25, 2018
Save the Date to “Celebrate” Riders, Horses & Volunteers October 7, 2018
Get ready to win a Subaru Cross-Track in our Annual Car Raffle. Tickets go on sale soon! The winning ticket will be drawn at High Hopes Holiday Market 11/11/2018 thanks to Reynolds’ Subaru, Lyme