By Dan Roark
What brought you to New Hope to volunteer? I had just moved back to Ft. Worth after living just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan for 22 years. While I had visited my brother and his family over the years, visiting is way different than actually living here. It has been a rather difficult adjustment for me in spite of having family and friends here. I found myself struggling mentally and emotionally. One day a friend sent a video of horses being used for healing and therapy work. While it is totally different from what is done at New Hope, it was a spark of an idea for me.
I thought surely there had to be some places that did something similar. So I asked my friends on Facebook who they would recommend. New Hope was highly recommended and close to where I lived. I felt like my saving grace was multi-layered – get out of my head and do something for someone else – and get out of the city (as I had lived in beautiful lush farm country prior). I could also be around my first and greatest love – horses. And I had spent many years volunteering for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. So, volunteering I knew how to do.
Tell us a little about yourself. Well, I have a feeling I’m one of the oldest volunteers here at almost 63 (in June), but thankfully I definitely don’t feel it, especially when I arrive at New Hope! I love reading, practicing yoga, and walking. I work at Texas Health Women’s Health. I have two fur babies, Finn and Fiona. I love spending time with my niece’s families and brother and sister who all live in Ft. Worth.
Favorite Horse? Oh, gosh – they are all special!! Though I may be partial to Cy because we probably do 90% of our lessons together.
Favorite part of volunteering at NG? Everything! Everyone I volunteer with, the families, the horses! I love how extremely gracious, patient, and willing to teach/help everyone is.
How has volunteering affected you? I don’t know where to begin. I honestly didn’t realize how “blue and down” I was while trying to “keep it all together.” I would say it was about a month after coming to New Hope on Wednesday and Saturday that I found myself crying for the first time (in probably a good couple of years) as I drove home. They were tears of thankfulness, I realized I was feeling joy again. There was/is something about being with people who share a vision/purpose to make a difference in our little piece of the world – and we are!
Thank you for volunteering, Nancy!
Ride on and ride for hope.
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