The Hope Center is undergoing some changes. A mural is currently being painted, on what used to be the blank back wall, in the arena in the hopes of creating a more lively space.
“We wanted to do something that would show support for our community and those who support what we do here,” Hope Center Program Director Kelly Lewis said. “We wanted to revamp our area and make it more eye appealing, and make it better for the client and a more beautiful place to be.”
The mural is being painted by Donna Taake from Gordonville, who also happens to be Lewis’ daughter’s great aunt. Taake has done murals in the past for local churches and other individuals in Cape County.
The mural is of an old western town with buildings such as a jail, bank and Taake has incorporated the names of several sponsors of the Hope Center. The project began at the beginning of September, with the hopes of finishing before the event at the Hope Center on Halloween. When finished the mural will be about 99 feet long and cover the entire wall.
“That’s the goal for right now,” Lewis said of the completion date. “We are about halfway done with the project and are on pace to finish by then. The artist works on it about two days per week and has been booking it as of late to meet that date.”
The mural is just one of the changes that the Hope Center as seen this past year. During the summer long time owners Rick and Claire Schemel sold the Hope Center to its board of directors. The purpose of the deal is to make sure the Hope Center will remain an equine therapy center in perpetuity. It was made possible through the efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture, the board of directors and the Schemel family.
However, that won’t be the only change coming for the Hope Center in the near future. Lewis said she has other plans in mind as well.
“We are looking to install some fans that we can use to keep our horses and clients cool in the summer time,” Lewis said. “We are also looking to make general cleaning and other improvements around the facility as well as making some bigger improvements outside and adding on.”
The Hope Center’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with special needs by providing horsemanship experiences in a warm, safe and compassionate environment, and to do that they are in search of some trained volunteers.
The volunteers must be 14 years or older and will help with leading, tacking, side-walking, and have an opportunity to learn horsemanship skills.
“We are always looking for volunteers and anyone would be appreciated,” Lewis said.
The center closed in March and only recently started taking on select clients early last month. It has forced the Hope Center to cut back on the number of clients they can take on at any one time and is coming back slowly.
The mural is part of the comeback and Lewis hopes everyone enjoys the mural when it is finished.
“We hope everyone likes it and understands what we are trying to do,” Lewis said. “It should be a great addition to our facility.”
