Monthly Update:
Making a Difference
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Spring has sprung at Hope Farms Project!
As a therapeutic farm and wellness center, we take pride in offering innovative animal-assisted and nature-based programming to a diverse population. Our graduate level social workers have experience working with little kiddos, children, teens, and adults, including individuals experiencing mental health challenges, intellectual or developmental delays, as well as their neurotypical peers.
This Spring, we are targeting several new programs towards youth because we believe in the transformative healing power of animals and nature. Many children and teens are experiencing very real challenges--whether it's bullying, academic pressures, developmental delays, family challenges or anxiety, we believe that animals can bring about greater resilience, promote coping skills and foster empowerment for our youth.
This season we are making a difference in our community by offering exciting new services and programming to help our youth navigate their complicated lives. We're proud to bring the award-winning nature-based
TimberNook program to Colorado!
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Mindful Movement for Teens
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Do you know a teen who's struggling with stress, depression or anxiety?
Our Mindful Movement class promotes healthy coping skills to help teens effectively navigate their complicated lives. Through animal-and-nature-based classes, teens build on their existing inner-strength to promote empowerment and resiliency, all while building friendships and taking appropriate risks.
See you in the barn!
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Mindful Movement for Preschoolers
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Join us in the barnyard as we practice Mindful Movement. Young kiddos will stretch their minds and bodies through yoga-inspired movement followed by free-play in our barnyard with all of their favorite furry animal friends!
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TimberNook
TimberNook is an innovative nature-based developmental program designed to challenge the senses and inspire creativity, imagination, and independent play in the great outdoors. Founded by a pediatric occupational therapist, our sessions take nature programming to the next level! This is a skills-based program which promotes motor skills, cognitive skills, social skills and sensory-integration. Talk about play with a purpose!
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Planting Seeds of Hope -- a Thrive! Respite Event
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Join us in the barnyard for an afternoon of therapeutic gardening followed by a good ol' fashioned BBQ party!
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Program of the Month:
TimberNook
TimberNook is an innovative nature-based developmental program designed to challenge the senses and inspire creativity, imagination, and independent play in the great outdoors. Founded by a pediatric occupational therapist, TimberNook takes nature programming to the next level! This is a skills-based program which promotes motor skills, cognitive skills, social skills and sensory-integration.
Talk about play with a purpose!
TimberNook views outdoor play as a form of preventative health care for children.
The curriculum was developed by a pediatric occupational therapist who noticed that many kids are having trouble sitting still or paying attention in school, or are even struggling with balance and motor skills.
- The more children engage in imaginative play and take reasonable risks outdoors, the more they are equipped to be successful in home and school environments.
- Programs are fun and beneficial for all kids—not just those dealing with sensory issues.
Our program is facilitated by Gianna Lishman, MSW, AASW, who holds a master’s level social work degree with a certificate in animal-assisted social work practices. As a TimberNook provider, Gianna is deeply committed to the following
core beliefs:
- Outdoor play is inherently therapeutic
- Children require time and space to move their bodies
- Nature (especially the farm!) provides the ultimate sensory experience.
- Ample outdoor play benefits children physically, mentally, and emotionally
- Children deserve distance from the adult world regularly
Through our nature-based developmental programming, children explore their surroundings, take risks, play, build and dive into their imaginations – all while enjoying the great outdoors. We use the environment as a “third teacher” to enhance child development and foster creativity. Our program activities encourage creativity, problem solving, fine motor skills, balance, and overall strength, among other skills.
TimberNook Programs are safe, supervised by trained staff, and affordable to parents.
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Animal of the Month:
Sprite the Goat
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Sprite is an incredibly patient, friendly little goat. She started her life as a 4-H showgoat and has recently been retired to a life of luxury and motherhood out at Hope Farms. This spring, she gave birth to two beautiful and boistorous little boys named Nugget and Spunky. Sprite is the epitome of patience, kindness and love. She lets her little babies crawl, jump and bounce all over her like she's a furry, four-legged jungle gym!
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But don't let her small stature and sweetness fool you, she will quickly step up and defend her babies if she deems someone a potential threat. We can all learn to be a little more patient, loving and fierce like Sprite!
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"I love going to the farm it relaxes me and I’m able to leave reality for a few hours and then come back calm."--K., a teenager in our Expand! Youth Program
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Hope Farms Project | (720)-996-1830 | G.Lishman@HopeFarmsProject.org | www.HopeFarmsProject.Org |
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