Dear Windows Community,
Eight years ago, I founded Windows to My Soul to help individuals struggling with the negative impacts of trauma through equine-assisted psychotherapy. Since then, we have helped over 350 clients, distributed $220,000 in scholarships for our services, and conducted 8 Bridges first responder retreats. We have served veterans, survivors of domestic violence, families, first responders, cancer patients, and children to help them build the emotional and mental health skills necessary to live connected, empowered, and purpose-filled lives.
It is impossible to put into words my gratitude for our volunteers, sponsors, donors, and partners. The way this community came together to support and participate in our mission has been nothing short of awe-inspiring and for that, I will be forever grateful.
A lot has happened over the past year including running an organization in a pandemic world, contracting Covid myself, and continuing to suffer from some Covid “long-hauler” symptoms. These events contributed to a personal awareness of my need for a life transition which includes spending more time with my family, friends, and animals.
Although Windows is a non-profit organization, it is no different from running a small business which takes an enormous amount of personal time, effort, and financial resources. After significant consideration and board consultation, my husband Lee and I have decided that it is necessary to shut down Windows in order to reconnect with life at a different pace. I hope to continue to feed my passion for serving those who can benefit from equine-assisted psychotherapy as a trainer and by teaming up with clinicians in private practice.
I know this announcement will come with a level of sadness and grief for our incredible Windows community, and I share those feelings. I hope you can set aside some time and space to reflect and celebrate the many accomplishments we made over our eight years of service. Everyone we were able to help is now equipped with tools and knowledge not only to better their own lives but those of our community.
Again, we are eternally thankful to each individual who has contributed to our program with their gifts of time, skill, and finances to make this experience possible. Everything you have done to make this program a success lives on in the lives we have changed.
What to expect moving forward:
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Our September Fundraising Gala and all future events are canceled.
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Individual client sessions will continue through the end of October, and we will not be taking on any new clients during this time.
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Our Bridges Retreats are under assessment and may be taken over by an outside party with our continued support. We will let you know if this comes to fruition.
We invite you to share your fond memories, celebrations, photos, and farewells on our Facebook page.
Thank you,
Cindy Skelton-Hodge
Founder, Windows to My Soul
RESOURCES
Local Crisis Hotline:
West Slope: (530) 622-3345
Tahoe: (530) 544-2219
West Slope Office
768 Pleasant Valley Rd., Suite 201
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
Local Number:
(530) 621-6290
From El Dorado Hills:
(916) 358-3555 x6290
Fax: (530) 295-2532
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255
National Crisis Text Line - Text "Hello" to 741741
El Dorado Behavioral Health - Get connected with resources in your community on the El Dorado Behavioral Health website.
For individuals interested in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) after October 31, 2021 contact Lori Larson, LMFT at 530.417.5308, or Cindy Skelton-Hodge, Equine Professional at 408.425.9979.
If you are seeking non EAP services specifically for:
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First Responders
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Military
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Youth with complex trauma
Contact Jennifer Alexander, LMFT at 530.391.9918
If you are seeking non EAP services specifically for:
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First Responders
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Military
Contact Jill Gustafson, LCSW at 530.957.8020