Vision, Goals and results

Reduce significantly the psychological effects of trauma, addiction, loss, and poverty.

When Walk With Me began in 2017, we couldn’t imagine how fast we would grow, or how many  people would reach out to us for help. A year later, we are now the leading equine facilitated psychotherapy service in Catawba County, NC; but our growth isn’t over yet. After a comprehensive  analysis in 2018, we began exploring exciting new opportunities for progress. Walk With Me, staff, board members, and volunteers,  have come together to provide feedback, and help shape the future of the organization even further. Now, we are excited to share the result of this hard work: 

Walk With Me – Goals for 2019

2019 – Development 

  • Maintain youth program with Newton/Conover Elementary School
  • Addition of an At Risk Youth summer camp 
  • Leadership camp for youth
  • Pilot program for the homeless. Working with other nonprofits in Catawba County to serve the mental health needs of our homeless.  We will also look at the effects of addiction in the homeless population.  Walk With Me is encouraged by the support from our community for our mental health and learning programs.
 

2018-Accomplishments 

  • Pilot Program for At Risk Youth from Newton /Conover High School.  We served 6 youth who were about to be drop outs.  With such poor attendance we were pleased with 2 students, which made the effort and came consistently only missing one.  They reviewed the program and stated how much the sessions encourage them to be more active in a better future for themselves.  
  • Newton/Conover Elementary School-Came to the barn for 2 six week sessions. The improvement within the classroom exceeded expectations. They were so encouraged by the results wrote a grant and received funding to come schedule session in both the fall and spring semesters of 2019.
  • We have had positive results from our kids in DSS custody, that we have now started group sessions with kids in group homes.  
  • Veterans and Spouse/Caregiver one day workshop.  4 participants wanted appointments for individual sessions, then wanted to start marriage counseling.
  • Leadership workshop for Methodist Ministers.  What a great time we all had.  We look forward to serving them in 2019.

Moving Forward With Our Mission

Results

This is a letter from one of the students who participated in one of our group sessions.

A young man in one class came to sessions because he was thought to be without emotion.  Often low-income children get caught up in their parents’ economic struggles, experience the impact through unmet needs and unstable circumstances.  When he first started session he was afraid to touch the horse, as he moved through the 12 sessions he had the most profound change.  Part of the program is knowing you’ll have to say goodbye to your relationship horse,  as he was telling his horse how much he had meant to him and that he loved him he was hugging and crying, telling him how  much he loved him.  Powerful! 

Not only was it the “funnest thang ever”, but he was learning new skills and how to apply them while in class and other areas of his life. 

The important key words from this paragraph I was scared, I didn’t trust.  He was a tough kid showing no fear.  He was living in poverty in the care of his elderly grandmother. His brother was dealing drugs and making him part of that world. That landed him in juvenile court by the fifth grade.  This young man grew into a better leader.  Helping in the classroom, offer assistance to the teacher and fellow students, and an improvement in his overall attitude about learning.  The changes this young man experienced over two six week session made me see the absolute need for this program for our youth.