Making Great Progress For the Kids
Memorial 'Sensory Garden' Celebration
The Garden was a major undertaking started last summer by Annie, Brooklyn and Dena clearing rocks then by Jonathan Higgins who constructed the wood planters. The scope of the project grew from there involving grading of the hill, building a retaining wall system, pouring concrete then building the canopy frame with the guidance of Josefina’s brother Sergio followed by the hard labor of putting together the frame and covering it with fabric by Johnny. Students in the classrooms gave a hand with Agustin taking on leadership with the middle school students. Even younger kids with cerebral palsy like Yolanda got in on the action. Then there was the celebration with volunteer musicians, custom T-shirts, refreshments and ribbons. It was quite an undertaking!
This grand opening ceremony included Valentina’s grand parents (Lizeth’s parents) as well as other family members and friends. In addition His Wings staff and students and their parents enjoyed time together in their honor.
Live music under the shade of the Garden canopy featured our own Jorge (far right) playing alongside Ismael and Laura.
The garden offers many colors, textures and smells that regulate autistic children’s nervous systems. It is also our way to keep Valentina and Lizeth’s memories alive . . . to be able to share their life story of a love that is unique between a parent and a child. It’s the relationship God desires to have with us as his children. It reminds us of the garden of Eden and provides a glimpse of eternity in heaven for those who put their faith in Jesus.
Arya, Liam and Jazmine are more than just enjoying the garden. For autistic kids like them spending time watering plants regulates their nervous systems resolving a host of otherwise disruptive or nervous behaviors that make it hard for them to sit still or socialize. After 10 minutes in the garden their attention span in the classroom and rapport with others improves dramatically. The garden was installed as a therapeutic tool for the increasing number of autistic kids joining the His Wings program.
Azusa Pacific University Health Screening Day!
27 team members from Azusa Pacific University visited the ranch to provide health screening, dental hygene, haircuts and de-licing. The group included student nurses faculty and alumni from the Health Sciences (specifically Nursing, Public Health and Kinesiology Programs). They were introduced to Sue and His Wings in 2024 and have been coming twice per year since then.
Leah shares why she comes to His Wings Ranch as a medical Spanish professor at Azusa Pacific where she translates and helps kids at the Ranch communicate their medical needs.
Leaders of the Azusa Pacific University’s Health Ministry include Koy Parada (Professor of Nursing and Public Health); Dr. Amanda Thurman (Professor of Nursing and Director of the Advance Practice Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner Program); as well as Bethany Vinalay (Project Coordinator for Baja Bound)
Other faculty include Lydia Lozano (Professor of Medical Spanish for the School of Nursing), Dr. Mauricio Martinez (Professor of Kinesiology), and Joy Ericson (Professor of Nursing). Other nursing students include the brothers Arsalan and Sohaib Hafeez.
Call for Prayer Warriors
We have been blessed with a volunteer to lead our prayer warrior group. Marlena Sprague will be hosting remote online prayer meetings for His Wings Ranch approximately once a month. The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1st at 7 pm. (Pacific Time)
If you’re interested in finding out more or know you’d like to be included in her zoom invite, let me know by replying to this email and I will share your email with her.
Inspired by what we do?
You are invited to partner with us whether that be financially or by coming down to build and repair, or perhaps work with the horses or offer services to the kids. We always have a need for educators, therapists and medical providers. You can email Sue at the address in the footer of this page.
