Barn News
GEMs Fundraiser and Baking Goods Drive Helps “largest emergency food provider[s] in the region”
The GEMs Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment program has been hard at work in their most recent service project, a baking goods and donation drive for Community Table through a tack cleaning fundraiser, a baking goods drive, and a bake sale.
Community Table, which was founded in 1982 as a food pantry, has gradually expanded and now offers showers, laundry services, medical and dental care and even nutrition and cooking programs alongside their robust grocery store- style food pantry for those in need.
With your help and support, the GEMs raised over 500 dollars along with tons of baking ingredients, specifically going above and beyond the bare essentials and donating things that are often overlooked such as cake mixes, spices and other things. Although some GEMs members were unable to attend, accounts of those who attended are those of only joy and happiness from our Community Table contact person, Erika.
Because of previous information about the needs of Community Table, the GEM’s agreed on spending the money to buy baking goods as opposed to donating it outright. This donation process began by weighing the goods. As one Junior Youth recalls, it took two times to weigh all of the baking goods, there was just so much!
In their previous visit, the GEMs had an extremely in depth tour, seeing the full process of emergency aid and all the services this amazing non-profit provides. They really seem to offer almost all of the resources an unhoused person would need to get reincorporated into stable housing and work!
Thanks to all you who donated while the drive was in progress. You can be sure that it made a difference in someone's life! In the words of Community Table’s mission, “Food. Help. Hope.”
Sensibilities @ Hidden Lane Stable!
Read more about this recent clinic!
Hidden Lane Stable just hosted an AMAZING sensibilities clinic by Iron Orchid Equestrian! The clinic featured a variety of “spooky” obstacles that horses were asked to engage with. The clinic worked on calming their fear instinct and utilizing curiosity when confronting unknown obstacles such as tarps, pool noodles, bubble wrap, and more, through a variety of different techniques. Horses progressed from tense and ready-to-flee, to calm and confident as the clinic cumulated in a massive obstacle course!
GEMs April Newsletter
Spring has sprung! We're so excited to start meeting outside, enjoying the daylight, and planning for summer! We're thrilled to spend time with the junior youth. Please encourage them to invite their friends to the picnic or a meeting to see what we're all about.
Along with inviting friends, we are inviting you to another parent meeting on May 6th, during our normal meeting time.
Calendar
Please mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
April 21st 10am Community Table Visit
May 1st Deposits for GEMS Summer Camp are due
May 6th Parent meeting 5-7pm
May 18th 12-2pm Play in the Park Picnic -invite your friends!
Community Building
Our animator team (Sara, Kathy, and Jewlee), would like to spend some time with each of our GEMS families. This could look like a quick visit, sharing a meal, grabbing coffee, or another way of building connection.
Please be on the lookout for a text message to try and set that up.
Golden Galloping Gals
We were so excited to welcome the GGGs home for spring break! We got to visit with them and hear about their great adventures in school. As always, we are so thankful for their help and mentorship with the EEE and MMM groups.
The E's and M's also got to partake in a fabulous treasure hunt that the GGG's put together for them. Thanks G's!
EEE Study Material
The EEE's are continuing with Wellspring of Joy. Sa Tu, Justin, and their friends are all facing trials, troubles, and injustices while joining their own junior youth group in their neighborhood.
The quote "Today is the day for steadfastness and constancy. Blessed are they that stand firm and immovable as the rock..." has been discussed and the EEE's are working on committing it to memory.
MMM Study Material
Together the MMM's have been studying their book Breezes of Confirmation with the main characters Musonda and Rose. The idea of thinking of others before ourselves has come up and opened some great dialogue in the group around the ideas of service and kindness.
Most recently they have been memorizing and discussing the quote "Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself."
Horse Learning
We are always so excited to help the junior youth explore their equine interests beyond the saddle. Lately, the GEMS have been practicing their plaits (or braids), searching for treasure, identifying equines based on their white markings, and so much more. Ask your junior youth what some of their favorite unmounted activities are.
Play in the Park!
Please invite your friends to join us, Saturday May 18th at noon to picnic and play in the park!
We ask everyone to bring a sack lunch, plenty of water, and sunscreen.
We will have lunch and then play some games. If anyone has frisbees, cornhole, soccer balls, etc.. please feel free to bring them to share.
We will be meeting at Fruitdale Park from 12-2pm
4700 Miller St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Community Table
The GEMS did a fantastic job with their supply drive for Community Table. The EEE's did a great job seeing a need in their community and have learned so much as they've worked together to fundraise by cleaning tack, visited the Arvada Police Station, and reached out to friends, family and neighbors to ask for help with their supply drive.
Thank you to everyone supported their efforts!
We have been able to schedule a visit to Community Table for Sunday April 21st at 10am. We hope the GEMS and their families can come tour the facility and drop off the donation items that have been collected. Please let Sara know if you can join us.