RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

Challenge New Mexico is a non-profit organization devoted to helping the handicapped enjoy a richer, more fulfilling life. Originally established in 1957 as the Santa Fe Chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens, Challenge New Mexico’s mission is to “offer services and support to people who are physically or mentally challenged, and to their families, enhancing their ability to grow, develop and function as valued contributing members of their communities.”


Challenge New Mexico offer a series of specialized programs including adult residential services, respite care to families, employment/learning programs, summer art and adventure camps for disabled youth, therapy services, and quality-of-life programs for all ages including baseball, basketball, rafting, skiing, community arts studio and therapeutic horseback riding.

For the past 15 years, Challenge New Mexico’s Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program has helped thousands of individuals with varying disabilities. The program, which is tailored to suit the person’s specific abilities, has produced startling results. "I had a little boy that came to us in a wheelchair," says Carlos Caceres, CNM’s Riding Coordinator. "Now when he gets off the horse, he walks down the ramp we have set up all by himself. This was after he was told he would never walk again. To see him go from a wheelchair, to a walker, to a cane . . . there is no amount of money worth that."

The Challenge New Mexico program provides weekly riding lessons for 200 people, and these lessons make a difference. Statistics show listening skills and the ability to follow instruction improving 80%, interest in learning rising by 41%, physical orientation rising 60% and self-confidence increasing by 62%. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Challenge New Mexico has recently opened a new 14,500 square foot riding facility.

This is the first step in the program to expand the existing programs and make the Challenge New Mexico Therapeutic Riding Program available year round. To carry out this program and provide help to even more of those in desperate need, Challenge New Mexico requires more funds. More volunteers are needed too; the decline in volunteer help has had a significant impact on the number of riding sessions. Five years ago, Challenge New Mexico used 25 volunteers a week and did up to 60 riding sessions. "Now we are lucky to have five volunteers," says Challenge New Mexico’s Executive Director Chris Werhane, adding, "We are down to about 30 riding sessions a week."

For nearly 50 years, Challenge New Mexico has improved the lives of thousands of handicapped individuals. To allow it to continue for another 50 years, it needs your help now.

Donate:
Donate securely on the site at http://www.ChallengeNewMexico.com.

Volunteer:
Call 505-988-7621 or write to Chris Werhane to volunteer. director@challengenewmexico.com

For more information, contact:
Sarah Robarts
sarah@ballantinespr.com
Tel:  310 454 3080
Cell: 310 570 7355