Windrush Farm

We are all capable of more than we think

Deloitte service day at the farm

Well, all we can say is “thank you”. A group of close to 20 employees from Deloitte spent the day at the farm as part of their service day. They spend their time power cleaning the buildings, finishing the halter shelters, mulching all the gardens, and clearing the trails. They brought all the materials required, including a nail gun, power washer and mulch. Although the weather didn’t cooperate, there were still smiles all around. And of course the place now looks fantastic.

PATH Intl. granted reaccreditation to Windrush Farm as a premiere center

path_logoWindrush Farm has announced it’s full Premier Center reaccreditation of its therapeutic programs. The accolade represents Windrush Farm meets or exceeds standards for excellence required by the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH, INTL.) This re-accreditation will last for the next 5 years. This announcement follows an on-site evaluation visit that took place on Friday, May 31.

Professionals in the field of equine-assisted activities have a distinction of their own through the Premier Accredited Center Program. The Premier Accredited Center (PAC) Program gives centers the chance to demonstrate their excellence in providing quality equine-assisted activities.

This voluntary process recognizes Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Centers that have met established industry standards. The accreditation process is a peer review system in which trained volunteers visit and review centers in accordance with PATH Intl. standards

Founded in 1964, Windrush Farm was one of the first programs to provide equine assisted activities and therapies in the US. There are now more than 850 centers all through the US but only a quarter of them retain premiere accreditation status.

“PATH accreditation as a premiere center reflects the highest standard in an organization can receive,” Windrush Farm director Amanda Hogan said.  “It attests to the quality of the current Windrush Farm program and the excellent of the staff who support our therapeutic clients.”

Windrush teams rock the ECTAthlon!

Windrush Farm was pleased to be part of the 3rd Annual ECTAthlon on Saturday, June 1 as part of a fundraiser for the Essex County Trail Association (ECTA).  ECTA exists to protect access to the trails and open lands throughout Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Topsfield, Essex and West Newbury.

For the ECTAthlon, teams of 4 will start in Bradley Palmer with a 3.5 mile trail run, followed by a 3.8 mile mountain bike ride, a 4 mile horseback ride and ending with a 4.4 mile kayak race down the Ipswich River. The ECTAthlon is a unique way to bring together the diverse users of the trail system in a fun and exciting way, and to highlight the incredible network of trails in our area.

Windrush participated by bringing 2 teams, The Windrush Farm Warriors and the Windrush  Fighters consisting of Windrush clients Briana and Alyssa doing the riding leg of the event and friends taking on the kayaking, running, and biking portions. The WIndrush Farm board of directors also brought a team, the Road Apple Corps which included Topsfield resident, Ben Nutter and Essex resident Michele Meyer.

“It was a great day,” says Program Director, Jenna Nowosacki. “I am so proud of our riders. They did an amazing job and participated in a race they’ll always remember.”

The teams finished the race and attended the celebration in Ipswich center. The two Windrush clients were presented an award for their participation in the event.  It was a great day. Thanks to ECTA for putting on a fabulous event.

Kyle’s Eagle Scout Project at Windrush

IMG_0492_8878474023_lKyle Hardy, a 17 year-old Topsfield resident at Masconomet and 6 year Windrush Farm volunteer began work on his Eagle Scout project at the farm. Under the guidance of Tom Williams of Troop 51, Kyle is installing a ramp up to the gazebo next to the parking lot, so that individuals in wheelchairs are able to access the gazebo. Kyle told Windrush that, he believes “everyone should be given the same opportunities in life, even if it is something as small as being able to get into a gazebo”.

The ramp will be made of stone dust and will have handrails for support. Many of the materials for this project have been generously donated by American Aggregates and Home Depot.

Kyle is also creating a picnic table area for people to sit outside and developing new gardens. Members of his troop volunteered to help him work on this project. He has had to learn how to organize volunteers and effectively lead group work. Kyle appreciated his assistants by saying, “I am very lucky to have such a generous network of individuals”.

Kyle’s weekends devoted to Windrush is his way of saying thank you to the farm. “Windrush has given me so much life experience,” Kyle explained. “While volunteering at Windrush, I have witnessed so many magical moments, and I want to thank them for allowing me to be a part of it”.

Kyle’s work at Windrush is greatly appreciated and, once finished, will be a great addition to Windrush Farm.

Ice Cream and Resources!

Windrush Farm was pleased to participate on Saturday, May 11 at Kimball Farm for Autism Speaks’ Resource Fair and Family Day! Thank you to our “A-Team” for helping out.

 

Are you golfing with us? Say YES!

I hope you will grab 3 friends and join us for the 2013 Windrush Farm Golf Classic at Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown.

Golfers are $145/each or $560/foursome. Tickets and information can be found here. Register before the event sells out.

A huge thank you to 2013 Silver Sponsor Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.

And a warm welcome to Bronze Sponsors, Al Contarino of KettlePizza and Holly Langer & David Jollin!!

Not a golfer? Join us for dinner. See you there!

Brooks School Service Day

IMG_0155 2A huge thank you to the 20 kids from Brooks School who spent the morning cleaning the gardens, sensory trails and outdoor arena. The place looks great. We appreciate your help.

Celebrating 60 years of changing lives!
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