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2012 SESSION

12105929D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 68
Offered March 8, 2012
Commending Simple Changes, Inc.
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Patron-- Comstock
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WHEREAS, the mission of Simple Changes is to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and community through exceptional therapeutic programs, especially therapeutic horsemanship; and

WHEREAS, Simple Changes was founded with the knowledge that riding and caring for horses significantly improves the lives of individuals with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, since it was founded in 2005, Simple Changes has served more than 150 individuals, ranging in age from two to 50, by providing therapeutic riding lessons and hippotherapy to persons with special needs throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area; and

WHEREAS, Simple Changes currently serves more than 50 clients per week and also participates in the Horses for Heroes program, addressing the special rehabilitative needs of military personnel recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Simple Changes has two riding centers, the Bureau of Land Management’s Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area at Mason Neck in Fairfax County, and in Catlett, Virginia, serving riders and their families from Fauquier, Prince William, and Fairfax Counties; and

WHEREAS, Simple Changes is committed to using the natural richness and beauty of Mason Neck and rural Fauquier County to create a recreational program that will benefit not only individuals with disabilities, but also their families and the community at large; and

WHEREAS, since it was founded, Simple Changes’ volunteers have contributed over 3,000 hours of time annually to their community; and

WHEREAS, in November 2011, Simple Changes was chosen by the Catalogue for Philanthropy, Inc., Greater Washington, as one of the best smaller not-for-profit organizations in the Washington, D.C., area; and

WHEREAS, Simple Changes is a Premier Center accredited by PATH International and a member of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Simple Changes has consistently fulfilled its mission and has demonstrated consummate professionalism in its work and dedication to the community, all while asking its clients to pay only half the actual cost of each lesson, with the other half generated through fundraising efforts; and

WHEREAS, riding at Simple Changes helps individuals with disabilities to become more independent, stronger, happier, and better able to contribute to their community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Simple Changes, Inc., hereby be commended; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Simple Changes, Inc., as an expression of the House of Delegates’ congratulations and admiration for the organization’s commitment to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and their communities.