Dripping Springs Community Foundation « Around Dripping Springs

Week of Online Giving:
April 20-25, 2014

The 2014 Givin’ Where I’m Livin’ (GWIL) campaign provides support and publicity for local non-profit charitable organizations competing for GWIL matching funds during the campaign’s Week of Online Giving, April 20-25th. Around Dripping Springs is pleased to feature this series of GWIL non-profit profiles to help publicize their unique missions to the community. We invite you to get to know these wonderful organizers and learn more about the important work they are each doing to enrich our community. Please share their stories, and be sure to donate to your favorite during the Week of Online Giving! Learn more at: http://www.GivinWhereImLivin.org

NOW MEET RED ARENA WITH FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JENNIFER YOUNG :

WHEN, HOW, AND WHY WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION FOUNDED?

RED Arena was founded in 2008 in Dripping Springs by Jennifer Young, a Physical Therapist who wanted to empower children with disabilities. Being on horseback is an excellent way to work on core strength and balance in a physical therapy session but it also provides the unique opportunity for building communication, confidence, emotional bonds and self-esteem. RED Arena was founded to expand this unique experience in our community so everyone, regardless of ability to pay, could benefit from this empowering experience.

WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?

Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities through horses. We provide physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions on the horses by licensed therapists and therapeutic riding lessons with PATH certified instructors. We serve over 60 riders per week ages 2 to 50+ years old. We provide full scholarships to Military Veterans and those with financial hardships and partial scholarships to keep the costs low for ALL our participants. The diagnoses we see include cerebral palsy, down syndrome, developmental delay, autism, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

In keeping with our mission we also offer inclusive summer horse camps and an inclusive rodeo play day, the RED Arena Round-Up, in which kids of all ability levels can enjoy horses together. We also partner with other non-profits such as Friendships for Life and The Marylee Foundation to provide adults with disabilities job/functional training on horse care and barn management at no cost to them.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THESE EFFORTS?

We have so many heartwarming experiences every week. The power of seeing our riders physically strengthen and grow in confidence and self-esteem each week is overwhelming. One life changing moment in particular was early on with Regan. She came to us when she was 2 years old and her parents had just been told by her doctors that she would never walk and they should consider a wheelchair for her mobility. They were visibly shaken and distraught over this news. Her Mom conveyed that Regan HATES all therapies and will not participate or talk, so she doubts this will work either but at this point she’s willing to try anything. More…

Week of Online Giving:
April 20-25, 2014

The 2014 Givin’ Where I’m Livin’ (GWIL) campaign provides support and publicity for local non-profit charitable organizations competing for GWIL matching funds during the campaign’s Week of Online Giving, April 20-25th. Around Dripping Springs is pleased to feature this series of GWIL non-profit profiles to help publicize their unique missions to the community. We invite you to get to know these wonderful organizers and learn more about the important work they are each doing to enrich our community. Please share their stories, and be sure to donate to your favorite during the Week of Online Giving! Learn more at: http://www.GivinWhereImLivin.org

NOW MEET THE WITHOUT REGRETS FOUNDATION WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TARA BALLARD:

Without Regrets Foundation. Tara Ballard, Executive Director

WHEN, HOW, AND WHY WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION FOUNDED?

This organization was founded in June 2011 and received 501c3 status in October 2011. In less than one year the co-founders of this organization knew three people that passed away and left behind young children. They thought there should be an organization to help families facing this difficult situation to create memories that would last forever for the children losing a parent.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY MISSION?

Without Regrets Foundation provides gravely ill parents and their minor children with memorable family experiences. This special time together creates memories that will last forever. Our services benefit the whole family, the sick adult as well as the children.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THESE EFFORTS?

We have seen many families make dreams come true. I think the most memorable was Nicki. She was a 36 year old mother of four with breast cancer that had spread to her liver, lungs and brain. Nicki wanted to show her children the town she grew up in and the things she enjoyed doing as a child. We sent this sweet family to South Dakota to do just that. They had an amazing time! Two of the children also got to meet their grandfather for the first time. And Nicki and her sister, who had lost their own mother the year before, were also able to spread their mother’s ashes.

WHAT ARE YOUR ORGANIZATION’S GOALS IN 2014?

Our goals are to continue to grow and raise awareness of the organization. We hope to help 10 new families in 2014. We have several outreach events and fundraisers scheduled this year to help us accomplish our mission.

HOW CAN FOLKS DONATE OR VOLUNTEER YEAR-ROUND?

info@withoutregrets.org or 512-337-3709