June 2025 Update
As the school year wound down for many participants, different rhythms were formed at the barn. The month of June was spent intentionally pouring into various Equine-Assisted Learning opportunities for our community.
Renew was blessed to have residents from Quincy Place Senior Living come to the barn for a morning of enriching activities that fed the mind, body, and soul.
Emily and a group of dedicated volunteers welcomed three sessions of Pony Pals campers to the farm this month as well. Pony Pals provides children and teens who are affected by foster care and/or adoption with a uniquely fun and transformational experience, teaching them communication and teamwork skills, helping them learn how to trust, and offering them a chance to just be a kid and have fun with a horse.
Drill Team members worked hard this past month and learned a ton! Participants spent their days learning ridings skills, how to communicate with their horse and each other, and how to put it all together to ride a pattern as a group.
Reading Wranglers gathered each Thursday in the barn. Young readers get to practice reading a favorite story to a horse and go on a story walk around the farm. This low pressure, fun way to engage with reading aims to improve fluency and foster a love of reading.
June in Michigan can be any number of things, and this year summer didn’t waste any time making its presence known. Renew staff, horses, and participants were keenly aware of what a blessing the “new” barn is as temperatures soared near 100 degrees. Being able to have a comfortable space out of the elements so that participants can focus on healing and learning is monumental. We are so grateful to have this space available so that people can participate in life-giving programming year round, regardless of the weather.
Speech Camp Returns in August
Two sessions of Speech Camp will be offered this August. By blending the stimulating multi-dimensional movement of the horse with speech and language therapy, breakthroughs for those facing communication challenges become possible. Hippotherapy is a unique, fast-growing service and an exciting addition to equine assisted services at Renew.
Space is limited, so register early. Click the button below to watch an informational video and see what Speech Camp is all about. If you would like to reach out to Kennedy with any specific questions, or to register, please email her at programs@renewtrc.org.
Lives are Changed Because of You
God uses hundreds of people each week to be his hands and feet at Renew. It takes many willing hands and hearts to keep the herd well fed and healthy, keep the farm maintained and working smoothly, and support the participants so they are set up for success. We are so grateful for all of the time and energy that the volunteer family pours into the mission. Thank you!
If you would like to be a part of this rewarding ministry, please reach out to Elizabeth and start a conversation. There are also Volunteer Orientations each month where you are invited to come learn about the mission and different volunteer opportunities, as well as get a behind the scenes tour of the farm.
Elizabeth’s email is volunteertraining@renewetrc.org.
Renew Celebrates First Program Graduate
Spring is a special time of year for many reasons, including celebrating graduates. It’s so special to celebrate all that God has done in the lives of students as they graduate, and all that He will do in their lives. This year Renew was no exception, as we were honored to celebrate alongside a few graduating students.
And, if that wasn’t enough, we were also extra blessed to celebrate Renew’s first program graduate. Over the past year, you may have heard a bit about Julia. Julia began participating at Renew as a student many years ago. As she grew and progressed as a participant, she also began pouring back into the mission as a volunteer. As Julia was nearing her own academic graduation, she decided that she would like to pursue a career in the equine assisted service industry by becoming a certified therapeutic riding instructor. Julia will also be spending the summer at Renew as an intern.
As we celebrate this new chapter in Julia’s life, we remember just how far she has come. Congratulations, Julia, on all of your hard work and perseverance. You bring such joy to the barn and we know God has big plans in store for you!
Staff Spotlight :: Tess Timmer
Some of the staff members at Renew you may have known for years, and others you might only know by name. To help you get to know the staff a bit better, we periodically feature a staff member in our Staff Spotlight. This month’s spotlight is our Barn Assistant, Tess Timmer.
Hi, I’m Tess. I was adopted from Ukraine when I was 9 years old by Carl and Shirley Timmer. Learning a second language in a new country and adjusting to three new siblings and new parents wasn’t easy, but I knew God had sent them to me. I lived in the orphanage for four years and I didn’t know who God was but I knew of Him from American missionaries. I remember praying to Him not really knowing who He was late at night while the other girls had gone to sleep. I stayed awake looking at the big window above my bed in the corner of the room and asked, “if you’re real please give me a family.”
My family lives in Williamsburg, Virginia and were very good friends with the Conner family. I was encouraged to be placed in the therapeutic riding center in Williamsburg (Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding Center) and take up horseback riding. All through middle and high school my mom would comment on how she picked up a different person after each riding lesson. I had a pep in my step. I was more talkative and open to conversing. Horses changed my life. They were my outlet. I took lessons at this therapeutic center for many, many years. I grew up and learned what it meant to be a side-walker and eventually a horse leader. A few years after high school I applied for a barn crew position at the center as well as a barn assistant. I stayed there many years and truly felt like that was my second home.
When I was older I got a job on a Gypsy Vanner horse breeding farm where I adopted my first dog, Jasmine. The owner also bred English labs/poodles and had miniature highland cows. Jasmine became my shadow and best friend. We enjoy going to the beach, hiking and have traveled in my dad’s minivan from Virginia to Wyoming two summers in a row to visit my grandpa. Fast forward to a year before I moved to Holland, Michigan. I moved to another city to be closer to my best friend, Tori. (Lynchburg, Virginia) There I adopted my second dog Sammy. I was then introduced to swing dancing, salsa and west coast dancing. I also worked as a full time stable hand at an all girls equestrian college in Lynchburg, Virginia. And that’s when I realized I wanted more for myself. I wanted to make more of a difference in the horse industry. And God put on my heart to become a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. I started my volunteer hours at a small therapeutic center in Virginia but it wasn’t going the way I wanted. One of the staff was going to a conference that Melissa Conner was going to be speaking at and I told her to tell Melissa “hi” for me. After the conference Melissa and I talked and I was invited up to Holland to start my CTRI certification. In January of 2025 I passed my accreditation.
I have been at Renew for a year and a half, first starting as a summer intern last year and offered the barn assistant position in September of 2024. I work with our equine coordinator, Ellis, taking care of the horses and with our farm manager, Dan, taking care of the facilities.
I am very blessed and grateful for everything that God has given me and to be a part of the Renew family!
Upcoming Events
Hug A Horse
Monday, July 14
4:30-5:30P
Everyone is invited to this free event. Come to the barn and take a break from the busy-ness of life alongside some of the horses. Please wear close-toed shoes.
Wine & Cheese
Thursday, July 17
6:00-7:30P
If you’re interested in learning more about the ministry or if you would like a behind the scenes tour of the farm, we would love to welcome to this open house style event. There is no need to RSVP – just come if you’re able. We would love to meet you and share more about the work that God is doing in and through Renew.
A very special thank you to our sponsors, Culture Cheese and Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wine Cellar, for providing beautiful charcuterie boards and wine for these events.
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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