Successful Hope Roundup Fundraiser for Sierra Sage

Successful Hope Roundup Fundraiser for Sierra Sage Treatment Center Horse Therapy Program Submitted by Rebekah Graham

On Saturday, June 11, 2022, Sierra Sage Treatment Center and Western Nevada CattleWomen, Inc. hosted the Hope Roundup fundraiser to support the horse therapy program at Sierra Sage Treatment Center.

The girls at Sierra Sage Treatment Center are sent to the program to address past trauma, abuse and neglect, including sex trafficking. Sierra Sage Treatment Center (Rite of Passage ATCS) is a federal 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The fundraiser was a tremendous success, and everyone truly enjoyed the evening with an auction, dinner and dance. The goal was to add a horse trailer to the program to allow the girls to participate in horse shows and off campus trail rides, add a shaded therapy space at the ranch, and a utility vehicle to drive the girls back and forth faster so more girls could participate in the program. Aimee Hennarty and Dailynn Palmer facilitate the equine therapy program which begins with teaching girls to work with horses, grooming, ground working and riding help the girls to be safe around horses and bond with their assigned horse. Aimee Palmer, a certified Equine Specialist, will then work with the girls on Equine Assisted Learning and facilitate therapy with the girl, their therapist, and their horse. The girls in our care relate to their equine’s broken past of multiple placements, abandonment, and abuse. This creates a sense of purpose for our girls as they realize their own gifts and potential. Sierra Sage Treatment was extremely thankful for the Western Nevada CattleWomen, Inc. who co-sponsored this event lead by Linda Huntsberger, Ashley Huntsberger, and Emily Fulstone. Nevada CattleWomen, Inc. is the oldest registered women’s organization in the state of Nevada. Western Nevada CattleWomen, Inc. covers Douglas, Carson, Washoe, Storey and Lyon counties of Nevada and Alpine and Mono counties of California. The CattleWomen believe in supporting women and girls in agriculture and donated the BEEF for dinner. Miss Rodeo Queen Nevada 2022 Gabby Szachara attended and participated in the Hope Roundup 2022 in support to the students at Sierra Sage Treatment Center. Tip Holloway, a professional auctioneer, volunteered to run the auction. Jack and Dorothy Franklin catered the barbeque. Three of the girls in the program, Karina, Liyah, and Symone, took time to speak to the attendees and share their thanks, their progress, and a little of their journey. It takes a village, and this village cares deeply for the students at the Sierra Sage Treatment Center.