Sakari, our Festival of Trees 2024 Youth Ambassador, is a shining example of how the Mercy Foundation’s Wings of Hope program can make a real difference in the lives of children.

About 5 years ago, Sakari’s mother passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident. It was then her family began the search for an outlet for Sakari to process her mother’s death in a healthy way. Somewhere along the way, Sakari’s aunt found some information about Wings of Hope. Knowing Sakari’s love of horses and dreams of owning one someday, her family reached out to Mercy Foundation for more information.

The Wings of Hope program, in partnership with Cougar Ridge Ranch, provided Sakari with access to equine-assisted learning, a powerful tool for emotional processing and personal growth. Already sharing a love of horses, this program seemed like a natural fit for Sakari and hopefully aiding her with a way to begin the healing process.

Sakari’s journey with the program has been transformative. She has not only developed her horsemanship skills but has also gained confidence and resilience. She now has a strong bond with her horse, Secret, and is even inspiring her grandfather to overcome his fear of horses.

Sakari’s grandfather had been bucked off a horse in his younger years, leaving him with a lingering fear. However, seeing his granddaughter’s passion and joy in riding Secret inspired him to face his fear. He began spending time at the ranch, watching Sakari ride and interact with the horses. Slowly but surely, his fear began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of pride and admiration for his granddaughter’s courage and determination.

The Wings of Hope program has not only provided Sakari with the opportunity to pursue her passion for horses, but it has also brought her family closer together. It has shown them the power of community support and the importance of helping children overcome challenges. Now, Sakari’s younger cousin has shown interest in the ranch and horses alike and is following in Sakari’s footsteps.

The Wings of Hope program is a testament to the power of community support. Thanks to generous donors, other youth like Sakari can experience the healing and joy of working with horses, free of charge.