SLW at Work

Marilita grew up in New Orleans. On Sundays, her uncle would drive Marilita, her brother and cousins out to the country. She remembers claiming horses they saw grazing. Her uncle encouraged the children to save their money, buy a horse and he would provide the stable where he lived. That didn’t happen. Many years later, Marilita got to fulfill her dream by answering an ad asking for volunteers for the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center, LaPlace, LA. Under the direction of Anita Hefler, the Center provides mentally and physically challenged children and adults with the opportunity to participate in horseback riding. Research shows that the rhythmic movement of the horse increases the rider’s balance and muscle control and provides a different way for the rider to develop relational skills. Marilita and the other volunteers guide the horses and help the riders to gain confidence. Volunteers also groom the horses so it is a chance for the people who are crazy about horses to get up front and personal with the animals. As part of the New Orleans holiday celebration, Marilita plans, designs and organizes the decoration of the Center Christmas tree. Last year’s tree theme was “Have a Barn-Storming Christmas,’’ honoring the building of a new barn to replace the one destroyed by Katrina.

Georgene Schumacher, SLW helps with the accounts

Georgene Schumacher, SLW

From St. Louis, Georgene is proud of her German/Mexican-American heritage. Georgene wanted to work within the Latino community for many years and studied Spanish to make this more of a possibility. In the Spring of 2009, Georgene began looking for a ministry. El Paso, Texas offered a couple of opportunities. Hospice El Paso needed a chaplain to accompany the dying person in the last months and to support the family. Georgene sees this ministry as spiritual companioning of the patient and the family on the journey. She likes to see it as helping people to read the road signs that make the journey easier. This fits in well with the SLW Mission of freedom and new life. Georgene also volunteers at Villa Maria, a crisis shelter for single women. There her skills on the computer and her background in math make her a valuable assistant to the staff. She enters financial data and offers technical support for an upcoming newsletter, in between making lasting relationships with the women. Georgene’s ministry puts her on the edge of the US, but makes her a part of the growing global community.