Volunteers are crucial for Centaur Stride’s ability to provide programs. Both foundations assist in identifying programs and grant requests that target multiple facets addressing the needs of our community with the greatest outcomes. Not all requests are funded.

Although the primary mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families, there is also a need to engage our youth (without disabilities) in meaningful and purposeful experiences. Our horses make blending these two needs possible. But getting teens to embrace the opportunity is not so easy. We have tried so many different “packages”, most free, either sponsored by grants or absorbed without the budgeted finances to pay staff.

Bottom line, volunteers are crucial. And even after getting them there and providing experiences that even they said were amazing, not many stay on to volunteer. Retention is even more difficult than recruiting. Teens are very busy. Transportation to and from the barn is often limited, and not many teens choose to put their compassion for animals or for helping others above other opportunities or social choices.

In 2021, Centaur Stride received a small grant from the NCCF to pay for expenses to recruit and train teens for a Drill Team at Centaur Stride. It was a new “package” aimed to entice participation. There was no final competition other than a demonstration show at an Open House Event two months later. Staff had eight weeks to train beginners in how to ride our horses, and then demonstrate their abilities at the open house. They had two sessions per week. The added value was that the horses were also learning. Most had never done any drill team practice to our knowledge. The participants also learned all the horse care and horse psychology that went along with horsemanship. The more they learned, the better volunteers they could be.

There was no obligation to continue as a volunteer beyond the summer, but the hope was that they would be so moved by their connection with the horses and what we do at the facility, that they would want to continue to connect through volunteering. The staff and participants did an amazing job, and although the demonstration may have looked easy to some, it was a testimony to all the hard work and communication between horse and rider and was beautiful!

I have no doubt that the experience will stay with all the participants as a joyful memory for their entire lives. A few who participated in the Drill Team Opportunity did stay beyond their summer experience. One of those teens was Maleri Kelsey. Now five years later, still actively volunteering, and also a part-time, as needed employee, Maleri has applied to Alfred University Class of 2030 and has been accepted. She has also been accepted in their Equestrian Center as a Saxon Western Recruit.

This is her story:

“I’ve been riding horses since I was 12. My first experience at Centaur Stride was during a program called drill team. Before drill team I was only riding occasionally. After drill team was over, I decided to continue volunteering at Centaur Stride. Everything about it was so amazing. I loved working with the riders and horses (especially the horses). Sometime between then and now I decided I wanted to make a living working with horses. The entire atmosphere surrounding Centaur Stride encouraged me to want to do great things and do the best I can to make a meaningful impact on the Equestrian community. Taking lessons with Savannah and Tyler and learning everything there is to know in a fun no-stress environment is what sealed the deal for me. Finding love for horses came naturally, especially, a connection with a mare named Lakota. Lakota is the horse with which I learned most of the skills I have now. She also taught me how to engage with a horse that can be slightly difficult at times. It was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done; finally accomplishing something that we struggled on made me feel over the moon. Horseback riding is all about partnership and love. Besides the riding aspect, spending time with the horses, whether it’s just brushing them or helping someone else to ride, is so rewarding. I am forever thankful for Centaur Stride for inspiring me to continue to pursue my love for horses and leading me to my present career choice.”

Our next fundraiser is Glow Bingo on May 8 at the Sherman Fire Hall. Doors open at 5:30 and games start at 6:30. The number of bonus games depend on the number of people who buy pre-sale tickets. The basket raffle, with ticket sales only available to people at the event, are also dependent on pre-sale tickets. And the prizes all look so amazing. Baskets are still being accepted for the event. Sponsors include: 21 Brix, Wegmans, Brightman’s Construction, Tanya’s Treasures, Basil’s Fredonia, White Land Surveying, Add Lumber True Value Westfield, Can Kings Fredonia, Runnings Jamestown, Target, Splash Lagoon, and Friends of Centaur Stride.

Please support us by purchasing your ticket early. They are $35 pre-sale and can be purchased online at linktr.ee/centaurstride. Click on the Bingo tab. Thank you for your support.

Claudia Monroe is the founder and president of Centaur Stride.