LifeStriders Therapeutic Riding Center - Town of Delafield and City of Waukesha, WI

LifeStriders & Mama Mia's Fund Raiser

Published by veronica on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 1/27/2010 03:01:00 PM.

Date : Monday, Feb 8, 2010

Time: 4:30-9:00pm

* 11am-1pm Carry out and Corporate Lunches

Location: Mama Mia's Restaurant

200 Summit Ave, Wales, WI (262) 968-2255

Stop in anytime between 4:30 and 9:00pm and bring in this copy to support LifeStriders!! The more people that participate, the higher the percentage of proceeds that will go directly to LifeStriders. Invite friends and family out for a night of fun and great food for a wonderful cause. We hope to see you there!

2009 Individual Annual Giving Campaign

Published by roco on Friday, December 11, 2009 at 12/11/2009 02:23:00 PM.

On behalf of all the people whose lives are touched
by LifeStriders - THANK YOU. Because of the dedication of the organization’s 175+ volunteers and your generous support, this year LifeStriders provided over 1000 Equine Assisted Therapy lessons to over 70 individuals with special needs (5000 lessons since opening in 2005). LifeStriders had an exciting year in 2009 conducting additional programs including:

• Counseling services for individuals, children and families
• Social Skills Programs, which help children with autism or social emotional impairments increase social awareness
• Youth Programs that support interpersonal skills development, community service, drop-out prevention and occupational skills

LifeStriders is a non-proft organization that is nationally registered and certified through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. As a 501(c)3 charity, we rely heavily on donations to support our Therapeutic Riding Center and its variety of programs. Donations from this campaign will be used towards program development, rider scholarships, purchasing supplies and maintaining the LifeStriders facilities.

Serving children, adults and seniors with a wide variety of physical, cognitive and psychological challenges, LifeStriders provides therapeutic services that go above and beyond traditional therapies. By focusing on individual strengths that help each client reach their goals, LifeStriders offers services in a fun, holistic and experiential paradigm. Miracles happen at LifeStriders, when after weeks of therapy a 7 year old child speaks his first words or an adult debilitated by Muscular Dystrophy gains the strength to be able to sit up straight on her horse and transfer more independently to her wheelchair.

LifeStriders is approaching our sixth year of providing life-enhancing physical and psychological experiences and services to individuals with special needs. The organization is excited about the year ahead but we need your help. On behalf of the children and families that LifeStriders serve, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and we thank you again for your generous support.

Sincerely,
The LifeStriders Team

Through your support, Kellie is a child of growing abilities, not limiting disabilities.

"Kellie's face lights up when we just mention the horses, and she is much more calm when she is around them. Therapeutic Riding has improved her posture, strength, and flexibility. I'm glad we have been given this opportunity. This experience has been wonderful."

Volunteer Appreciation and Open House 2009 - Thank You!

Published by roco on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 10/28/2009 02:12:00 PM.

The LifeStriders Volunteer Appreciation Party was a great event! The clouds gave way to a beautiful afternoon of sun, song, and merriment as we honored all of the volunteers who helped make the 2009 year at LifeStriders the best year ever.

Special Congratulations goes out to the Matthew Knowles the LifeStrider of the Year, and to Becke Mankee the LifeStriders Volunteer of the Year and to all the volunteers who earned Presidential Service awards this year.

Heartfelt thanks to all of the volunteers and their families who donated food, drinks, and their time to make LifeStriders Volunteer Appreciation Party and Open House a huge success!

LifeStriders would like to especially thank Stephanie Benz and Barb Abair for organizing and putting on the event. Additional thanks to Kevin DeMaster, Doug Femal (brought all of the 'crew's' food), Dan Sweeny, Sara DeMaster and Sam Femal for their support thoughout the day, and Ken Harland for helping us with parking. Another big thank you goes to The Jim Lindell Family Band, who provided us with a perfect blend of irish songs to keep the merriment flowing. (details about their upcoming gigs will be posted here as they become available)

Some pictures have been uploaded to the Pictures section of the website. You can view them here.

Vision

Published by roco on Monday, October 05, 2009 at 10/05/2009 04:52:00 PM.

LifeStriders in Delafield, Wisconsin is a member center of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Assoc. (NARHA). LifeStriders provides unique therapeutic riding services to the metro Milwaukee area for those with special needs.

After five years of successful operation, LifeStriders is now operating at full capacity, with a growing waiting list of applicants.

The Board would be honored if you would allow us to schedule a tour of the LifeStriders facility during lessons to see how you can help the organization accommodate for growth of its facilities and services.

Thank you Marco and Congratulations on your New CD

Published by roco on Sunday, October 04, 2009 at 10/04/2009 06:40:00 PM.

Marco Gensch (Age 18), a local musician who plays in the Kettle Moraine Symphony Orchestra, surprised us this evening by donating to LifeStriders, the first $100 dollars he made selling his first CD. Marco, who is also a volunteer, wanted LifeStriders to have this donation because he respects and believes in what the LifeStriders program does for it's participants.

LifeStriders humbly accepts your donation Marco and wishes you the very best of luck in your musical career and pursuits. Marco can be heard at the symphony, on his myspace page, or if you would like to purchase a CD from Marco, please inquire by emailing him directly.

Rummage Sale to benefit LifeStriders - Saturday September 12

Published by roco on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 9/10/2009 02:33:00 PM.

A big Thank You to the Abair family and volunteers for recycling their treasures into funds to benefit LifeStriders! The Rummage sale was a great success and everyone at LifeStriders is thankful to Barb and her family for their generosity!

2009 Sessions New Pictures Online

Published by roco on Wednesday, August 05, 2009 at 8/05/2009 08:55:00 AM.

2009 Sessions

Send in your best pictures and we will post them too!

Jess is a NAHRA Certified Instructor!

Published by roco on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 6/09/2009 07:42:00 AM.

Congratulations to Jessica Morrison ("Jess") on passing her NARHA instructor certification workshop and tests, last weekend. Jess has been with us for a couple of years now, and she has always been a cheerful, supportive, and knowledgeable member of our instructor staff. Jess worked very hard on her skills before becoming certified and it paid off as we understand she passed with "flying colors." Lifestriders is very proud of you Jess, and everyone is looking forward to learning the new skills and techniques that you picked up during the clinic! If you see Jess, please be sure to commend her an her achievement.

Counseling Services and Social Skills Groups

Published by veronica on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 5/28/2009 01:05:00 PM.

In addition to the therapeutic riding program LifeStriders also provides family support services:

LifeStriders Social Skills Program -These fun and interactive groups are designed for children ages 3-12 with challenges in the area of social-communication that affects the quality of their interpersonal relationships. The goals of the groups include increasing social awareness, understanding others peoples' perspectives, and understanding the impact of their own behavior on the impressions that other people form of them. It is a fun class for kids to learn the skills they need in building social connections. LifeStriders social skills classes will be held in a small group setting with individualized activities.

Ideal for ages 5- Adolescence groups will be formed according to ages and abilities. Both groups will be facilitated by Veronica Sosa Agnoli, MS. and Ann Treleven-Carl or Amanda Rector B.A. Call to enroll your child today!

Bilingual Counseling Services for individuals, children and families offered by Veronica Sosa Agnoli, M.S. former School Psychologist and counselor. Sliding scale fees available.

Educational Counseling and Consulting Services Helping parents understand special education and how to work in collaboration with schools and in IEP/504 meetings.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Veronica Sosa at 262-565-6124

Horses and Children with Autism

Published by roco on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 4/24/2009 10:17:00 PM.

This is the #1 headline on CNN, on the eve of our first volunteer training of the year. Its a beautiful article on the effects that horses can have on children like Rowan with special needs. LifeStriders was built on the human and horse connection described in the article, and on behalf of all the volunteers and staff, we can't wait to continue to foster this connection and do our very best to improve the lives of those in the community who have special needs. Welcome to the 2009 sessions at LifeStriders.

YouTube Video Link