How many computer guys have you seen stomping around in the mud on a big horse farm? Our team helps customers with all types of computer, network, server, and cloud-based projects every day; and we always love the opportunity to give back to our community at least a couple of times per year! Although much of our services are provided around Columbia, West Columbia, Lexington, and other greater-Columbia markets, this particular project took place in Chester County. Our favorite part was probably hearing the success stories from staff: from veterans with PTSD that began to sleep through the night to non-verbal autistic children that began speaking after only a few short sessions! Don’t forget to check out the before and after pictures…
Who is Strides of Strength?
Strides of Strength was founded in 2018 - using horses to change lives by providing a comprehensive therapeutic equine program utilizing horses to facilitate growth, learning, and healing. Their participants include children and adults with mental, physical, emotional, and functional disabilities. Strides of Strength uses equine-assisted activities to help people with special needs, disabilities, at-risk youth, seniors, veterans, first-responders, and those who have experienced trauma. Here is an excerpt from their stated goals and values:
Foster growth, learning, and healing in those with mental, physical, and emotional disabilities.
Afford participants an experience that otherwise may not be available due to financial limitations, and or lack of access to this type of program due to location.
Provide services to those community members with special needs to allow them to develop to their greatest potential.
Committed to providing a leadership role to enhance the lives and well-being of our participants and their families.
Trained and committed staff and volunteers who uphold the goals of our organization.
High quality, safe program, operating in an environment designed to meet the individual needs of all participants.
Effective programs utilizing outcome measures to reflect benefit to our participants.
What did Seras do?
While there are plenty of horses and a large barn, Strides of Strength needed some additional classroom space to help with the many camps and clinics that they host. The founder and owner of Gaston Farm and Equestrian Center, Beth Gaston, just happened to have an old Rock Hill school bus (without a motor, but still water-tight), but it was in rough shape!
That’s where we come in - our team prepped and painted the bus to look like a barn! Small desks can now be moved in that are used for equine-related crafts, exercises, training, and other classroom-related activities. It was great to see Ryan, Brandon, Steven, and Harry climbing over the bus with grinders, pressure-washers, and scrapers; but even better to see the finished product after a partner-business associate brought out his commercial sprayer and applied the finishing touches!
We are always here to help and would be happy to provide more information about how to help this great non-profit. You can make donations or inquire about additional needs by visiting www.stridesofstrength.org or emailing us at info@serasIT.com.
What’s in store for 2021
Seras is kicking off the year with some major ISP conversions, new multi-server installations, the complete cabling of a factory just outside of Lexington, and some major enhancements to our on-going management platforms. Follow our pages, email us, call us, or just enjoy the photos that we try to get posted each week!
