High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.

Meet Jen Rogers, our March volunteer spotlight! ???? Jen joined High Hopes driven by her love of horses and a desire to give back to the community. As a dedicated horse handler, she volunteers in various programs, with a special fondness for the Parkinson’s program. Outside of High Hopes, she enjoys hiking, gardening, camping, sailing, or relaxing at the beach with her children. For Jen, the most rewarding part of volunteering at High Hopes is being a part of something that brings joy to others, a passion she brings to every interaction with her positive attitude. Thank you for everything you do, Jen! ??? #VolunteerSpotlight #Grateful #EquineAssistedServices #HighHopesHero

We'd like to introduce you to Churro for this month's horse spotlight! This handsome 2003 Appaloosa gelding is as sweet as his name, with a beautiful dark brown and white spotted coat and a personality to match. Hailing from Tennessee, Churro is the definition of laid-back and easygoing—making him the perfect fit for our program. Whether he’s assisting in our horsemanship classes, therapeutic riding lessons, or working with participants in our Parkinson’s Program, he always brings a gentle, steady presence to each session. We are so grateful to have him as part of our team! #HorseSpotlight #HighHopesHerd #EquineAssistedeServices #ChurroTheHorse

It was a busy Spring Break here at High Hopes, and Vera & LC didn't have much time for catnaps — from supervising tack cleaning to keeping an eye on the horses, these two took their supervising duties seriously! Want to hear more about their adventures? Head to the blog for all the furry details! Click the link below to read the full story! https://lnkd.in/ecZwDZP9

This month, we’re excited to shine a well-deserved spotlight on our Finance Director, Lesley Olsen! Lesley has been a cornerstone of the High Hopes family for 8 years, bringing a wealth of experience in finance, business management, and nonprofit leadership. Her expertise helps guide us toward long-term sustainability, ensuring that every dollar is spent thoughtfully to support the people and programs that make High Hopes so special. What truly sets Lesley apart is her calm demeanor, unwavering patience, and genuine kindness. She approaches every challenge with a level-headed and thoughtful attitude, and her belief in our mission shines through in everything she does. Lesley’s dedication and support are the heart of our team, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have her. Thank you, Lesley, for all that you do! ??

High Hopes is proud to be featured on WTNH News8 for our program supporting Parkinson’s patients through equine-assisted activities. This initiative focuses on mobility, balance, and mental well-being, fostering a strong connection between participants and our horses. We’re committed to creating more innovative programs that meet our community’s needs. Thank you to Sarah Cody for sharing our story! You can watch the full segment at the link below. https://lnkd.in/etv8dwue

??? Staff Spotlight: Chris Clarke ??? Since joining High Hopes in June 2023 as our Volunteer Coordinator, Chris has quickly become an essential part of our team. Her dedication, attention to detail, and positive energy have elevated our volunteer programs, and we were thrilled to announce her promotion to Volunteer Manager in January 2025! ?? Chris is known for her infectious laugh and her ability to connect with people, whether it’s sharing stories during volunteer trainings or chatting in the hallways. She’s a lifelong equestrian who currently leases a horse named Kentucky, and her enthusiasm, warmth, and humor make her an incredible asset to our organization. ?? We’re lucky to have you, Chris! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll continue to accomplish in your new role. #StaffSpotlight #TeamHighHopes #VolunteerManager #EquestrianLife #Gratitude

Meet Alison, our February volunteer of the month! Alison has been a quiet supporter of High Hopes for years, but in 2024, she decided to dive in and volunteer! Her time in the barn has allowed her to form meaningful connections with our horses, volunteers, and participants — and we are so grateful for her generous spirit. ?? When Alison isn’t helping at High Hopes, you can find her enjoying the beach or the ski slopes, depending on the season! She’s also an EMT, firefighter, and is working toward becoming a yoga instructor. Talk about dedication to helping others! ?? Thank you, Alison, for all you do. We are lucky to have you as part of the High Hopes family! ?? #VolunteerSpotlight #Gratitude #HighHopesHeroes #GivingBack #EquineAssistedServices

Looking for a Valentine? Our herd would love to be yours! Give love and support High Hopes in honor of your favorite High Hopes Horse. All our valentine's will receive a special surprise from the herd in the mail ?? Click here to give today:? https://lnkd.in/d3Hvdakb #equineassistedservices #valentinesday #givelove #horselove #therapeuticriding

?? Welcome Chase Rogers and Kim Grant, Our Newest Trustees! ?? Chase, former Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, has dedicated her career to public service. She practiced law in Connecticut and served as a judge for twenty years, including a decade as Chief Justice. Her leadership extends beyond the courtroom, having served on the boards of the Conference of Chief Justices and A Better Chance (ABC). She currently serves on the board of the State Justice Institute, a position to which President Obama appointed her in 2010. A Connecticut native, Chase has strong ties to the equestrian world, having grown up riding and caring for horses. Since moving to Old Lyme in 2011, she has been an active volunteer at High Hopes, assisting with horse care and bringing her therapy dog, Eloise, to interact with participants. With over two decades of experience in publishing, Kim Grant has successfully led business development initiatives, client relations, and revenue growth strategies for many publications, including Philadelphia and Boston Magazine’s Custom Publishing Division. Her leadership extends beyond the corporate world, having served in key roles for various nonprofit organizations, including co-chairing the High Hopes' 2025 Gala. Kimberly’s passion for philanthropy, community engagement, and event planning, combined with her business expertise, makes her an invaluable addition to our board. ????? We are so excited to welcome Chase and Kim's incredible experience, passion, and commitment to our mission, and we look forward to the positive impact they will continue to have on the High Hopes community. #Welcome #HighHopes #NewTrustees #Leadership #CommunityImpact #EquineAssistedServices

?? Save the Date for Summer Soirée! ?? ?? June 7, 2025 ?? High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT Join us for an unforgettable night of philanthropy, mingling, dining, and high-energy dancing to the electrifying sounds of Sugar—the dynamic, crowd-favorite band that keeps the energy going all night! Enjoy exciting auction offerings and a night of impactful giving, all in support of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding’s life-changing mission. Click the link for more info ?? https://lnkd.in/emXgi5_G For questions, contact: Trudy Burgess, Event Manager ?? [email protected] ?? (860) 506-9653