Support Children Like Travis By Attending The LushAcres Farm Fall Festival!

When eight-year-old Travis first arrived at the home of Thornwell foster parents, Derek and Tracy, he was scared and confused. He didn’t know why he was in this new place. He just knew he wanted to be home.
“We were very limited in the information that we could share with him [about why he was with us],” Tracy explained. “We relied on our training and support from our family specialist to ensure that Travis not only KNEW that he was safe, but that he FELT safe, too.”
Travis’ first two weeks were incredibly emotional. He missed his family, and he would cry for hours. Derek and Tracy worked together to reassure Travis and make him feel comfortable and accepted. They showed Travis to his bedroom, explaining it was “his room” and he could call it his own. They helped him unpack and hang his family pictures on the wall.
“It was heartbreaking for us to console him every night, but we worked to assure him and show him that it was all going to work out,” Tracy explained.
As Travis adjusted, Derek and Tracy began to recognize the trouble he was having in school. Reading was a challenge and Travis became frustrated while reading aloud. He feared being teased over making a mistake. Often, children who’ve experienced trauma can face challenges in the classroom that require an innovative approach to find a solution.
Fortunately, Derek and Tracy worked with their family specialist to find a unique solution involving two donkeys and a trip to LushAcres Farm, a vibrant enterprise on 340 acres of Thornwell’s campus that supports Thornwell’s mission to build strong children and families.
Travis was encouraged to read aloud to the farm’s animals. As he began to stumble through his first passage, two curious donkeys wandered to the fence line to hear him read. Over time, and facing zero judgment from his furry listening partners, Travis was able to rack up lots of practice time, build his confidence, and feel more comfortable reading aloud.
“He loved that and would get excited about reading his favorite stories to the donkeys and goats,” Derek explained.
Travis’ bond with the animals at LushAcres Farm, the improvement in his reading, the love and ingenuity of his foster parents, and the 24/7 care from Thornwell’s staff are all made possible because you care enough to see Travis thrive!
“As we did these things to support Travis, it was our hope that each moment would become another moment and then another,” said Tracy. “These moments build on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that they can take with them for their entire lives, wherever they may go.”
YOU can come visit Travis’s favorite donkeys and the other farm animals this October during our LushAcres Farm Fall Festival! Each year, our festivals celebrate seasonal produce and blend agriculture with family fun that supports Thornwell’s ongoing mission. You can support Travis and other children like him by joining us! Our family-friendly celebration begins October 1st and will continue every Saturday in October from 10 am until 6 pm. Proceeds of each event will support children and families served by Thornwell’s Continuum of Care.
Fall Festival attendees will enjoy the mile-long maze depicting LushAcres Farm’s newest resident, the honeybee, as well as hayrides, bonfires and s’mores, a mini train, concessions, and much more. New corn cannons, fresh popcorn, and fresh, delicious donuts have also been added to this year’s event. The Fall Festival will offer one-day-only options that families don’t want to miss, including dog herding demonstrations, an artisan village, and “Jeep-O-Ween” – a fan-favorite trunk-or-treat even sponsored by Just Winging It Jeepers on October 29th.
Throughout the year, “When families come to a festival, buy a locally sourced product in our market, or visit our barnyard animals, they are creating lasting memories and traditions, as well as ensuring the children and families Thornwell serves are supported and loved,” said Jacob Koch, LushAcres Farm Director. “Getting to be a part of that legacy is something special.”
Plan your visit to the Fall Festival today by clicking here: Fall Festival | LushAcres Farm