January 2026 Update
Celebrating our Core Values: EMPOWERMENT
Melissa Conner, Executive Director
At Renew, we empower people by providing excellent service and promoting Christ-centered acceptance of all. This year, in each monthly blog, a member of the Renew family will provide thoughts on how we live out our core values and what impact that has on our organization, on the individuals that we serve and ultimately how this is reflected in our community. I am excited to kick off the year of 2026 with the first reflection on our core value of empowering others.
What does it mean that we empower people? In 2020, the Board and Staff worked together to refresh the core values by which we operate at Renew. In this renewed time of commitment, we reflected on how we go about providing services and selected our values thoughtfully and prayerfully. We revisit them regularly at Board meetings, staff meetings, and every time we onboard a new member of the team. During 2024 we established Value Groups where members of our leadership gathered to discuss how we can do better at living into our values to keep them fresh and alive before us as we go about our daily work.
Each core value has a Scripture reference to guide our thoughts and actions. When it comes to empowerment, we have pledged to collaboratively engage with others to maximize efforts to support and equip individuals, families, and teams to promote positive life change and to build a stronger, more unified community. We reference Hebrews 13:3 for guidance in our thinking about this value. Hebrews 13:3 states “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” By adapting this reference to include anyone who is marginalized in our society, we seek to stand with one another with empathy, while fostering growth and building another’s capacity for a fuller life.
To empower someone means to give them confidence, skills, and means to control their own lives, make decisions for themselves, and achieve their goals. By doing this, we help others become stronger and more capable rather than simply doing things for them. Empowering involves recognizing inherent strengths in others, fostering self-reliance, and providing opportunities for growth.
I can think of no better place to live out the value of empowerment than at Renew. If you were to see a therapeutic riding lesson in action, you would see empowerment lived out as riders learn to partner with their horses and their teams to accomplish goals. We celebrate that one of the most common outcomes that parents and caregivers express is boosted confidence and self-advocacy in their riders. These outcomes point to empowerment in the truest form.
I am proud to lead an organization that values empowering others, regardless of ability or disability. I commit to continuing to lean into this value personally and professionally in 2026 and in the years to come.
Program Spotlight: Renew Crew
Work groups that visit the farm make a big impact, pouring their time and hard work into supporting the mission. In an effort to lean into the many positive benefits of work crews, Renew decided to begin offering “Renew Crew” opportunities. Renew seeks to walk alongside our participants and help them reach their goals and live abundantly, and these work experiences have proven to be a tremendous benefit.
This is a donor-funded program that is offered at no-cost to participants in order to support life skill and vocational development for adults with intellectual and developmental differences. The Renew Crew is currently made up of participants from about six local nonprofit partners.
Not only do participants feel the pride and joy from giving back and being part of something bigger than themselves, but they learn valuable personal and professional skills, as well as remaining active and experiencing the satisfaction of seeing a job through to completion.
“The purpose of the Renew Crew is to create an environment where every member feels successful, empowered, appreciated, and truly welcomed,” Tess, Renew Barn Assistant explained. “They have already exceeded our expectations with the workload. There’s always so much to do around the barn yet they show up with enthusiasm and those huge, contagious smiles that brighten the entire space. We hope to be intentional about them learning equine management and develop more skills over the next few years.”
If you would like to learn more about the Renew Crew, or if you would like to partner financially to make these opportunities possible, please reach out today.
Get Connected and Stay Up to Date
In an effort to bring you all of the information you need in one convenient place, we have created the HORSE HUB. The HORSE HUB is the place to visit for all of the upcoming event information, programming information, registration links, and more. This living document will be updated regularly, so make sure to check in often.
If you would like to register for an upcoming program? Check the HORSE HUB. Want to know when registration opens for the next session of therapeutic riding lessons? Check the HORSE HUB. Want to know the dates for Hug A Horse events? Check the HORSE HUB.
We hope this is a very useful tool for the Renew family.
Welcome, baby Moses
Would you join us in welcoming Moses to the Renew family? We are rejoicing with the Hill’s on the birth of their first child and giving thanks that everyone is healthy. Congratulations, Emily and Josh!
Upcoming Events
Documentary Screening
Thursday, February 12, Doors open at 6:30P, Show begins at 7:00P
Park Theater, 248 S River Ave, Holland MI 49423
Renew will be hosting a special screening of Rescued Hearts Part 1, the powerful new documentary uncovering the miracles, mystery, and science of healing with horses! Pre-purchased tickets required, although there may be a few seats remaining at the door.
Horse Brain Science Clinic with Dr. Stephen Peters
April 24-26, 2026
Renew Therapeutic Riding Center
This immersive clinic will combine live demonstrations, engaging presentations, and a rare hands-on brain dissection to reveal how trust, fear, motivation, and learning are wired in the equine brain. Leave guesswork behind and gain science-based tools to build trust, communicate clearly, and create a calm, connected partnership with your horse.
Save the Date
Denim & Diamonds at the Derby is the signature fundraising event to support the mission of Renew…and it is a whole lot of fun! We hope you are able to join in person this year, but even if you’re not, there are many ways to partner in the mission and try to win some amazing auction packages. Tickets will go on sale February 23.
Thursday, April 23 at Baker Lofts
New Online Store
Renew is excited to be partnering with Homestead Tee to offer you a variety of stylish and comfortable Renew apparel. Located in Hamilton, Homestead Tee is conveniently located to offer you free pick up of your orders. Or pay to have your orders shipped directly to your home.
We are thrilled to begin this new partnership and so grateful that Homestead Tee will donate a portion of every sale back to Renew!
Lots of great Christmas gift items for everyone! Thank you for partnering in the mission in this way and for proudly sharing Renew in the community with every purchase!
Your partnership had a tremendous impact on our community in 2024. Take a look at the full Impact Report and celebrate with us all that God has done through your generosity and service.
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