Windows To My Soul

February Volunteer Highlight - Chris Catemis Chis has volunteered with Windows for many years and helps with grant writing and fundraising technical support for our Annual Gala. As a nonprofit dependent upon grants and fundraising, this is a very important role! Her passion for volunteering is evident and extends beyond Windows, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Chris had the honor of helping Habitat for Humanity rebuild homes. When asked why she is passiona...te about working with Windows, she said: I get to work alongside the most kind, caring, community-minded people I have ever met. I truly love all of the volunteers I have worked with over the past few years. In addition, clients receive truly life-altering help, in an awesome environment of humans and horses. Chris is an adamant pet lover who has been the pet parent of 1 to 8 pets at any given time (excluding chickens). She currently shares her small home with her husband Frank, 3 dogs, and 3 cats.

Did you know that in the United States eating disorders- including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are the most lethal mental health conditions?* Sadly, most of those impacted do not seek treatment. Is someone you love suffering from an eating disorder? Learn more and find out how to provide support with these toolkits provided by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) : https://zcu.io/fOle *According to Current Psychiatry Reports, https://zcu.io/Xgma ... #endthestigma

Meet Dixie. Dixie has volunteered for many years with Windows and is a committee member of our annual Gala event. She loves living in our beautiful community and feels blessed to be connected with so many wonderful and generous people. She likes to live her life by the motto: Be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mahatma Gandhi). Dixie believes in the power of equine-assisted therapy to help people lead meaningful and connected lives and is inspired by the passion ...of Windows founder Cindy Skelton-Hodge. Thank you, Dixie, for being part of the Windows family and making our work possible! Photo: Dixie and her husband Bill #volunteer #volunteers #volunteerwork #volunteerlife #volunteerappreciation #volunteerism

Thank you to everyone who participated in Windows To My Soul Hero Hearts Campaign to honor our Hero first responders, medical personnel, and other outstanding community members in 2020 and beyond. We loved seeing our social feeds filled with positive posts that strengthen our community. We are beyond grateful to play a healing role for our brave Heroes. #windowsherohearts #firstresponders #medicalpersonnel #mentalhealth #firstrespondermentalhealth #medicalpersonnelmentalhealth #EMT #EMTmentalhealth

Nourish to flourish! Healthy eating habits promote good heart and mental health. Need inspiration? Explore an entire library of heart-healthy meals at your fingertips made possible by the American Heart Association https://zcu.io/RcH3 #hearthealth #mentalhealth #hearthealthawareness #mentalhealth #equinetherapy

From everyone here at Windows, we wish you a safe and cozy holiday season. We hope you have as much fun as our "snow angel" Magic. #happyholidays #windowstomysoul #placervillechristmas #placerville #veterans #veteransmentalhealth #firstresponders

Last call! Our Hero Hearts campaign is concluding in two days. There is still time to thank the Hero in your life. Use our pre-made Canva templates to thank your Hero personally on social media. Grab Canva templates here: https://www.windowstomysoul.org/hero-hearts-2021 Windows To My Soul is proud to help our Heroes address the often overwhelming emotional and psychological symptoms resulting from their careers and daily lives through our equine-assisted therapy program. 99%... of the mental health services we offer are provided on a scholarship basis. Our Session Cost 1 session - $190 6-sessions - $1140 Your donation of any amount will go directly towards funding sessions for our Heroes. Donate at: https://www.windowstomysoul.org/donate and Last but not least, tag three people below to nominate them to honor the Hero in their life!

Covid can't keep the giving spirit down! This year's CHiPs for Kids drop-off event kicked off Friday, Dec. 4 at Cal Expo and they collected a RECORD-BREAKING 10,233 toys. KCRA and CHP distribute the toys to hospitalized and disadvantaged children. If you'd like to participate, you can help by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to any CHP office or American Furniture Galleries between Nov. 16 and Dec. 17.... https://zcu.io/1EVi #chp #chipsforkids #chipsforkidstoydrive #2020giving

A new program in Baltimore is helping Veterans change careers through a 10-week program in farming. We love seeing innovative ways to create connection and community. You see me smiling. I definitely didn't have that not too long ago, this program is giving me that purpose, said Dominus Blue. https://www.kcra.com//va-program-provides-opportu/34918390... #veterans #mentalhealth

We have something to celebrate in 2020 - even though it had its challenges, we are so pleased to tell you that NOT one single person had to be turned away for their inability to pay. This is a big deal. When Covid struck, there was a lot of uncertainty and we saw a huge increase in the need for our services. We weren't sure what funding was going to look like, and at times, even how to stay open. With our core guiding tenents of Connection, Relationship, and Community guiding... our decisions, we found a path forward. Our amazing community of donors, volunteers, staff, and partners rallied to the cause and we are here standing strong in a world where our services have never been needed more. And no one can illustrate this important more than our clients. A recent Bridges graduate gives you a peek into the healing and transformation that you have helped facilitate this year: "The struggle is real. I am so very happy this program exists. If you save one or many, your job is complete. The reading of horses, the reading of people, the love of community, the book is opened to heal. I am not sure if the tools will be totally remembered, but the idea or feeling of presence, calmness, and love of self will carry me through. There is sunshine over the many bridges of life. Thank you each and every one of you. Continue your love of community. It shows in the compassion of your eyes."

You might be celebrating the holiday a little differently this year, but there are still lots of ways to make it special and memorable.

Help us give a warm welcome to Margaret Jepson. She joins Windows on our operations team to help with infrastructure development and the Annual Gala. "I'm excited to be a new volunteer and to partner with the Windows to My Soul team. I recently retired after 34 years in High Tech in the Bay Area as an Executive Assistant. My goal for 2021 is to learn more about Equine Therapy and how my background may be of service." We're excited to be starting 2021 with her help and experti...se! Give her a wave or say hello in the comments below! #2021 #newyear

What a beautiful and intriguing photo! Hope this brings a little peace into your day. #healinghorses

Have you written your letter yet? Join us for #operationgratitude and write a letter to military personnel or first responders to share your support and appreciation for the work they do. As you can see below - it really makes a difference! Follow this link: https://zcu.io/Ml0C for instructions to write and mail your letter(s) before January 1st, 2021. #Operationgratitude will do the rest. Let's end 2020 on a good note!!! Who's in? ... #spreadjoy #veterans #mentalhealth #connection #operationgratitude #firstresponders #supportourveterans #usmilitary #wtmsoperationgratitude #heroes

Pass it on. art by @christopherdavidryan, found on @bradmontague’s story

Would you like to make someone smile this holiday season? Please help us create a little joy this year by writing a letter to our military personnel or first responders as part of #operationgratitude. You can even make a fun evening out of it, and get the whole family involved! If writing isn't your thing, paintings and drawings are welcome too. Click on the link below and follow the instructions to write and mail your letter(s) before January 1st, 2021. #Operationgratitu...de will do the rest. Are you in? Share a selfie with the hashtags #wtmsoperationgratitude #operationgratitude and tag @wtmsequinetherapy https://zcu.io/Ml0C #spreadjoy #veterans #mentalhealth #connection #operationgratitude #firstresponders #supportourveterans #usmilitary #wtmsoperationgratitude #heroes

Covid can't keep the giving spirit down! This year's CHiPs for Kids drop-off event kicked off Friday, Dec. 4 at Cal Expo and they collected a RECORD-BREAKING 10,233 toys. KCRA and CHP distribute the toys to hospitalized and disadvantaged children. If you'd like to participate, you can help by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to any CHP office or American Furniture Galleries between Nov. 16 and Dec. 17.... https://zcu.io/1EVi #chp #chipsforkids #chipsforkidstoydrive #2020giving

Thank you to everyone who participated in #givingtuesday this year! Whether it was helping out a neighbor or donating to your favorite charity, it made a difference! All around the globe, we poured love back into our communities, and it is this spirit that warms our hearts even during a pandemic. As we begin to reflect on the wild year 2020 has been, we here at Windows will be using the month of December to focus on gratitude. Gratitude for the wonderful community that has kept us strong this year. Gratitude for the clients who have sought help, even when it was difficult. Gratitude for the staff and volunteers that make it all happen. Gratitude to you for joining us on this journey. #grateful #gratitude