| September 2020 A Farm to Call "Home" I am thrilled to share the good news that one of our generous donor families purchased a farm that Gateway HorseWorks can call home!!! The farm is located at 2045 Union Hill Road in Malvern. Previously a working alpaca farm, this property sits on a bucolic 15 acres complete with a historic house and bank barn, several outbuildings, rolling pastures, and a large pond. While the property will take some work to get it ready to welcome our team of horses, staff, and clients, we hope to move by the end of October! Only a year ago, this dream of a forever farm seemed far out of reach. When the farm we were working out of was sold, we reached out to you for help. You reached back with emails, calls, and texts. You connected us with your friends, colleagues, and networks. You shared our social media posts and gave funds to support our programs, horses, and mission. Because of you, we found a wonderful temporary home which enabled our work to continue in Berwyn. While there have been many twists and turns (it seems to be a theme for everyone this year!), your belief in Gateway HorseWorks never wavered, and for that I am forever grateful! This farm stands for hope, healing, accessibility, belonging, and community. It will enable us to grow into the fullness of our mission and vision, and meet this moment with resolve, dedication, and commitment. As the mental health crisis continues to deepen, Gateway HorseWorks will be a resource in our community for all people seeking a somatic, trauma-informed mental health treatment grounded in connection and healing relationships with horses and people. We are focused on the future, and we need your help to get there. As our community-driven organization evolves, we remain committed to growing and building a diverse, inclusive organization that represents the clients we serve. You will hear more from me in the coming weeks about our vision, and the ways in which you can get involved as an integral part of the future of Gateway HorseWorks. Today, let us give thanks for our forever farm! Somehow, we will welcome you to the farm for a safe, socially distant celebration and visit. It may be some time before we can have a blowout party, but trust me, someday it will happen! Again, thank you for being a part of this journey with us and for all of your support, generosity, and kindness! Gratefully Yours, Kristen de Marco Executive Director September is Suicide Prevention Month September is annual suicide prevention month. At Gateway HorseWorks, we believe in the power of connection, the innate resilience within us all, and creating a future where everyone has access to mental health care. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Leaders to know Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy (PURA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and an extension of the original Fletcher Street Stable. PURA was founded to continue the legacy of the Urban Black Cowboy by providing hands-on equine experiences. One of PURA’s missions is to preserve and educate the public on the history and culture of Urban Black Cowboys in the city of Philadelphia. The Urban Black Cowboy has been living throughout neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia for over a hundred years. From the early 1900’s through the late 1950’s, horse drawn wagons delivered ice, milk and other produce to residents of the city. Horses were no stranger to Philadelphia streets; eventually modern vehicles replaced those delivery routes, but the Urban Black Cowboy still remained. Herd Highlight: Dallas It is no mistake that Dallas' herd highlight follows Disney's feature. Dallas first arrived at Thorncroft Equestrian Center as a potential therapeutic riding horse. Not quite fitting the bill for their program, the barn manager saw something special that she thought might make Dallas a good fit for our on-the-ground programs. Within minutes of seeing Dallas in the arena with Disney we knew this was a forever fit. Ears forward, head down, lock-step behind Disney - Dallas handled everything faced with a natural ease. Curious, yet cautious, moving through the trial session with seasoned comfort, it wasn't long until Dallas became a permanent member or our herd. It was one of the easiest decisions our team has ever made. We are grateful Dallas found a forever home with us. join us on social Media |
I am thrilled to share the good news that one of our generous donor families purchased a farm that Gateway HorseWorks can call home!!! The farm is located at 2045 Union Hill Road in Malvern. Previously a working alpaca farm, this property sits on a bucolic 15 acres complete with a historic house and bank barn, several outbuildings, rolling pastures, and a large pond. While the property will take some work to get it ready to welcome our team of horses, staff, and clients, we hope to move by the end of October!
Only a year ago, this dream of a forever farm seemed far out of reach. When the farm we were working out of was sold, we reached out to you for help. You reached back with emails, calls, and texts. You connected us with your friends, colleagues, and networks. You shared our social media posts and gave funds to support our programs, horses, and mission. Because of you, we found a wonderful temporary home which enabled our work to continue in Berwyn. While there have been many twists and turns (it seems to be a theme for everyone this year!), your belief in Gateway HorseWorks never wavered, and for that I am forever grateful!
This farm stands for hope, healing, accessibility, belonging, and community. It will enable us to grow into the fullness of our mission and vision, and meet this moment with resolve, dedication, and commitment. As the mental health crisis continues to deepen, Gateway HorseWorks will be a resource in our community for all people seeking a somatic, trauma-informed mental health treatment grounded in connection and healing relationships with horses and people.
We are focused on the future, and we need your help to get there. As our community-driven organization evolves, we remain committed to growing and building a diverse, inclusive organization that represents the clients we serve. You will hear more from me in the coming weeks about our vision, and the ways in which you can get involved as an integral part of the future of Gateway HorseWorks.
Today, let us give thanks for our forever farm! Somehow, we will welcome you to the farm for a safe, socially distant celebration and visit. It may be some time before we can have a blowout party, but trust me, someday it will happen! Again, thank you for being a part of this journey with us and for all of your support, generosity, and kindness!
Gratefully Yours,
| |
Kristen de Marco
Executive Director
| |
| | |
|
September is Suicide Prevention Month | |
September is annual suicide prevention month. At Gateway HorseWorks, we believe in the power of connection, the innate resilience within us all, and creating a future where everyone has access to mental health care. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
| |
Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy (PURA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and an extension of the original Fletcher Street Stable. PURA was founded to continue the legacy of the Urban Black Cowboy by providing hands-on equine experiences. One of PURA’s missions is to preserve and educate the public on the history and culture of Urban Black Cowboys in the city of Philadelphia.
The Urban Black Cowboy has been living throughout neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia for over a hundred years. From the early 1900’s through the late 1950’s, horse drawn wagons delivered ice, milk and other produce to residents of the city. Horses were no stranger to Philadelphia streets; eventually modern vehicles replaced those delivery routes, but the Urban Black Cowboy still remained.
| |
It is no mistake that Dallas' herd highlight follows Disney's feature. Dallas first arrived at Thorncroft Equestrian Center as a potential therapeutic riding horse. Not quite fitting the bill for their program, the barn manager saw something special that she thought might make Dallas a good fit for our on-the-ground programs. Within minutes of seeing Dallas in the arena with Disney we knew this was a forever fit. Ears forward, head down, lock-step behind Disney - Dallas handled everything faced with a natural ease. Curious, yet cautious, moving through the trial session with seasoned comfort, it wasn't long until Dallas became a permanent member or our herd. It was one of the easiest decisions our team has ever made. We are grateful Dallas found a forever home with us. | |
|
|
| |
|
