As Matthew Weller dismounted from his favorite horse, Nobie, he had a huge smile painted across his face. Feeling overjoyed, Weller couldn’t wait for his next session at Renew Riding Center, located in Holland, Michigan. In movies and history, horses have been seen as a mode of transportation, at Renew they are a lifeline to happiness and connections.
Renew Therapeutic Riding Center radiates positivity and provides riders with lifelong memories. As the only Premier Accredited Therapeutic(PATH) riding center in West Michigan, Renew is unique and professional in the physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits offered to enhance the well-being of its riders. Renew welcomes everyone, promoting Christ-centered acceptance in their vision to provide a “positive life change with every horse experience” initiating deeper connections and bringing individuals together by encouraging relationships inside and outside sessions.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Renew depends immensely on volunteer and community support to continue their mission. Volunteering at a horse barn may sound intimidating, but as Sr. Taliyah Murphy said “My volunteer experience at Renew was truly amazing. During the first hour, I was given a detailed tour of the facility and learned about my role as a volunteer. Spending time in the barn, getting familiar with the horses, and the equipment, and meeting all the incredible volunteers was such a fun experience.” Renew has so much to offer, and from acceptance to positivity, becoming a volunteer is both easy and rewarding.
“My favorite part was meeting the student I’d be assisting during their horseback riding session. The staff at Renew were incredibly patient and kind with the students, which made the experience even more meaningful for me. It was so amazing watching the students have fun while on their horses and being able to assist them when they needed it” Murphy said. Seeing riders grow skills physically, such as balance and coordination, shows the stepping stones Renew paves the way for and the impact the center has on individuals. Aside from the physical improvements, observing riders overcome mental obstacles is equally rewarding, bringing happiness and a deeper sense of contribution to a cause bigger than oneself.
Volunteers hold a pivotal role at Renew, fulfilling several different roles. “Volunteers who help with our therapeutic riding program are trained to be: horse leaders (leading a horse for a rider), sidewalkers (walking beside a rider and providing different levels of support), lesson assistant (helping our instructors with props, picking up manure in the midst of the class, etc), greeters (welcomes our riders and their families to the farm” Volunteer Coordinator Elizabeth Turner said. Additionally, other volunteers are tasked with cleaning and maintaining the facilities, feeding and caring for the horses, and planning and running events. There are so many volunteer positions to try at Renew, so one can help out in ways they are interested in or best suited for. Volunteers are crucial at Renew but the volunteer experience makes volunteering something to look forward to, not just as a necessity.
An amazing part of Renew is the community. In 2023, Renew received donations from the community totaling $1,024,559, enabling them to provide more affordable lessons to riders, taking prices from $200 to $40 per horseback riding session. Also, in 2023, Renew had 238 volunteers and 218 ongoing therapeutic riding participants, all coming together through this center. Renew also hosts several events for the community, some free, including their Hallaween Shodeo, Christmas Open House, and a Celebration Horse show, to name a few.
Additionally, Renew participants come from all over Michigan. As Turner says “We serve participants from group homes, schools, and other local organizations. For example Hillside Behavioral School, Ottawa Area Center, Benjamin’s Hope, Friendship House… We also have partnerships/connections with Hope College, GVSU, MOKA, Engedi Church, and so many other organizations and companies in the area who have individuals who volunteer with us. ” By fostering connections and bringing people together, Renew encourages new relationships, helping participants get out of their comfort zones and meet new people.
West Ottawa student participant, Jnr. Matthew Weller, said “My favorite part about Renew is going to see my horse and the cats. We have barn cats… Every Tuesday I go and like it a lot, they’re really nice people.” He described his lessons, saying that they stretch, then do a trotting(kind of a jog), a two-point position, and cross obstacles. For participants like Weller, horseback riding helps him make connections, like with his favorite horse, Nobie. Weller says of those considering volunteering “I would tell them to volunteer.”
Renew, named from Isaiah 40:31, seeks to empower with Christ-centered acceptance, regardless of age or disability. For those interested in participation you can connect with Renew through the following website link:https://renewtrc.org/ to volunteer or if interested. For those considering volunteering, Renew is a wonderful program with kind people, ensuring not just volunteer hours but memorable experiences empowering others, providing excellent service, and Christ-centered acceptance.
Additionally, Renew is hosting a Hug A Horse event on Monday, November 25th from 5:00-6:00 pm. The event is free and a great chance to meet the horses and staff at Renew. Additional information regarding this event is on their website link:https://renewtrc.org/.
