Expand Access to Healing
Through Horses
Your support helps youth, families, and helping professional experience the grounding, connection and growth that equine-assisted programs make possible.
Consider Donating
Hello friends,
Thank you for your interest in Serene Strides. We are thrilled to be completing our first year as an organization and feel proud and encouraged by your support.
By way of background, in 2024 we – Gina, Chelsea and Susan – laid the groundwork for Serene Strides starting with our mission statement:
Serene Strides is a 501c3 dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based equine-assisted mental health services to individuals seeking a holistic approach to their mental wellness. We aim to empower our participants to achieve personal growth, resilience, and emotional well-being.
Since our founding, Serene Strides has taken intentional steps to build a strong, sustainable foundation for community impact.
Your Gift Makes a Difference
We need your help to continue to serve the community. Specifically, we are looking for financial contributions for:
- Providing additional scholarships for youth participants to attend our programs.
- Buying a tractor and supplies to continue to build out the Los Molinos property, including an obstacle course and additional round pen for our work.
- Sponsorship for our horses care and feeding.
- Purchasing supplies for our individual and group sessions as well as our workshops.
No donation is too small to help us to continue providing care and support to our horses and our community members.
Impact
Your generosity helps remove financial barriers and expand access to our Social Emotional Learning and equine-assisted programs. Through scholarships and community support, we serve young people, families, educators, social workers, and others seeking meaningful tools for emotional growth regulation, and connection.
Every gift helps create space for healing, learning, and relationship building in a calm nature-based environment.
I can trust horses.
11-year-old participant
I learned that I can build connections by waiting and learning to take it slow.
14-year-old participant
I love being with Donnie. Me and him definitely had a connection, he was a sweetheart and showed me what a connection felt like. I really love this program and thank you for everything.
14-year-old participant
Our Growth and Milestones
Our Journey So Far
- Established Serene Strides as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with federal and State of California filings.
- Chelsea and Gina attended a rigorous 10-month course of study at University of Denver’s Equine Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Program, and are now certified practitioners.
- Launched an incubator fund through the North Valley Community Foundation and submitted initial grant applications.
- Hosted a community Open House in Los Molinos with equine partners Ellie, Grayson and Nevaeh.
- Welcomed 28 Chico State Master of Social Work students for a discussion on Rural Realities in Social Work.
- Formed a partnership with the North Valley Community Foundation CARE program to support young people in our community.
2025 Progress
- Began individual and small group sessions with young people at our property in Los Molinos, and at our partner site in North Chico, Dreams Come True Stables, LLC.
- Welcomed Lyndee, a social worker and certified equine-assisted mental health practitioner to the Board of Directors.
- Hosted a full-day experiential mental wellness training for master’s-level social work students.
- Constructed a round pen at the Los Molinos site through generous community support.
- Expanded the equine team with the addition of Merle.
- Secured funding to begin offering scholarships for our Fall 2025 sessions.
