By Colleen Cheechalk | Executive Director
Greetings to all!
I apologize for the delay in getting this overdue project report to you. Our organization has gone through some difficult, and some wonderful changes in the last half of 2015. As the leader of this organization, the progress, impacts, and reporting are my responsibility, and I have been battling a life threatening and changing health issue since late July. It seemed insurmountable to tackle all the tasks I am responsible for, thankfully we have an incredible team of volunteers, and I was able to gradually catch up.
The experience was eye opening to say the least. And while we were able to provide the services we had raise funds for, we quickly began to see where our strengths, weaknesses and passions were within our organization. Because of my illness, we raised a limited amount toward our budget this year, which forced us to be creative, and "think outside the box." What we found is that our strengths, passions and talents are best suited toward Equine Assisted Wellness and Learning, which is what our organization originally delivered in its early years. We raised less than $1000 towards programming for children in 2015, yet we still were able to serve 8 children, and more than 15 large group visits. The most eye opening moment? After our last visit for the summer we all stood in the garden and there wasn't a dry eye in the group! We were all so overwhelmed with happiness and such a feeling of success and renewed commitment. We knew right then what we needed to do.
Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities is now The Center For Equine Assisted Wellness, Inc. Along with our renewed commitment to help others through innovative equine assisted wellness programming, we adopted a new name that will encompass all that we offer to children, and adults. Instead of traditional therapeutic riding, learning and Hippotherapy, we will be offering a mentored experience for children through our PEACE program. Children will come to the farm each week during our season, and be guided by a friend and mentor who will help them continually work toward their personal goals. The children we serve will come to us from many backgrounds, and may have a special need, going through a life threatening illness, struggling at home or school, be newly adopted, or find themselves charting the unknown seas of the foster system. Regardless of their need, they will find a welcoming, non-judgmental place to be, a place to grow, to learn, to change, to accept. A place of PEACE. This method will allow us to continue to serve our community with a limited budget, which is important to us, we know it is important to our supporters as well!
Our clients will begin the new programming in April of 2016. Because of this change, and the changes in our corporate name, we will be retiring this project, and it will be merged with our new yearly project on Globalgiving.org. You will receive email communication from globalgiving.org that will alert you to these changes.
We want to thank you for your support to our programs, and we hope that you will continue with us on this journey as we build and expand on our traditional programs. We are excited for the 2016 season, and the seasons to come. And we are so grateful to have you along with us!
Sincerely,
Colleen Cheechalk
Founder and President
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