June 2022: Isabella Martinez
Isabella Martinez
When Isabella was researching places to volunteer with horses the link to Stride Ahead popped up. The fact that Stride Ahead did therapeutic riding lessons was very appealing to her. She was ready to start but only one thing stood in her way, she had to turn 14. Thankfully she’s now 14 and started volunteering in February of this year. Stride Ahead’s Program Director, Pam Smith, says that Isabella always has a smile on her face (under her mask of course), is ready to learn and try new things, goes the extra mile and never leaves without asking if there’s anything else she can do. Plus, riders and volunteers enjoy working with her.
Isabella feels Stride Ahead impacts the community by bringing people together and teaches how to strengthen connections through the work, nature and the horses. She feels the best part of volunteering is working with everyone at the barn and says she’s grateful she gets to learn so much every time she volunteers.
We always ask our Volunteer of the Month to share their favorite memory or experience. Isabella relayed that in an exercise at the end of the lesson, during a trot across the field, she heard the rider giggle and saw a smile through his mask. She realized how important the lessons are to the riders and appreciated their willingness to try and learn new things, which always make her smile.
When not volunteering at Stride Ahead Isabella loves to swim and make hand-knotted bracelets for her friends. She says her favorite hobby is being around horses and plans to start riding lessons very soon. Next year she’ll begin high school where one of her favorite subjects is philosophy.
Isabella is a shining example of a volunteer willing to be of service in a quiet, thoughtful way and always at the right place at the right time.
Thank you, Isabella!
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Isabella and all of our wonderful volunteers who make Stride happen, thank you.
