"Comedy & Dessert" on Saturday, March 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Flemington Elks Lodge benefits central New Jersey nonprofit Spring Reins of Life.
RARITAN TWP. -- On the last night of winter 2016 you can Swing Into Spring and celebrate Spring with comedy and dessert.
On Saturday, March 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Flemington Elks Lodge there will be an evening of "Comedy & Dessert" which benefits central New Jersey nonprofit Spring Reins of Life.
There will be a cash bar, lite fare snacks, lots of dessert and prizes -- all for the cause of helping trauma survivors (veterans and youth) in New Jersey find trust and coping skills with guidance from horses.
Featured stand-up comic is Mark Riccadonna. He will be joined by Sean Lynch, Teddy Daniels and Ritu Chandra. Comedic talent provided by The Comedy Shoppe.
Tickets are $35 with the option to add additional donation. If you cannot attend please consider making a tax deductible donation for any amount at: www.springreinsoflife.org/2016/01/15/comedynight/
The Hillsborough based nonprofit, Spring Reins of Life (SRoL) will utilize the funding raised at Comedy & Dessert to provide EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) group therapy sessions for moderate to severe trauma survivors, namely: at-risk/high-risk youth teens, PTSD veterans and bereaved children by way of the horse. SRoL has found that the majority of trauma survivors either does not want, or simply cannot "talk about it" and so utilizing an un-mounted EAP approach can go a long way to establishing trust, finding personal coping skills and present moment without saying anything!
SRoL provides EAP services under the EAGALA Model certified program and since there is no riding involved it is not necessary to have any prior horse experience to achieve results, in fact most of SRoL clients have never been in contact with a horse before. The horses provide immediate 'present moment', a space of peace, a natural environment to build trust, and due to their size/power coping and resiliency skills which create pathways for more of the same. Sir Winston Churchill may have said it best in the quote "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man".
The EAGALA Model has seen a massive growth rate of over 400% in the last 3 years. EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) has certified programs in all 50 United States and 49 countries offering an acute intervention based and solution focused therapeutic model for an extremely wide array of mental health issues.
In 2010 RAND Report posted that 23+ veterans commit suicide everyday - this number was based on 30% of states reporting and this was five years ago. New Jersey has a high population of veterans from OIF, OEF and Vietnam. SRoL's Operation Horse is designed specifically for combat veterans who are struggling with PTSD and based on demand is need of continuous funding to upkeep and expand this programming. SRoL currently works with Lyons VA Hospital's PTSD Units on a regular ongoing basis. Goals for expansion in 2016 are to fund and establish an ongoing outpatient groups based on rising interest. On Veterans Day 2015 SRoL was featured on Upworthy, AOL and Inside Edition for the work being done at Operation Horse.
The numbers of inner city teens that are in trouble with the law and involved in gang violence is at an all-time high, yet positive behavior changes are seen while in the EAP arena in as little as one group session. The tactics that work on the street will not work with a 1,000-pound horse, so other (more positive) skills are developed to be successful. Horses do not care if you if you are a dropout or can spell, they care about the truth of who you are being.
Young children who have suffered a loss close to them are grieving just as much as the older family members but without the vocabulary and life experience to draw upon, expressing their feelings can be difficult and frustrating. SRoL recently began an alliance with Good Grief Princeton and the Pony Pals pilot went so well there are six group visits being scheduled for 2016.
EAP has seen a growing trend for people who are suffering from mental/emotional issues. The horses provide a way to explore their feelings and emotions with honest, nonjudgmental feedback and reactions that allow the participant to decide if the outcome was favorable or not. If so, there are immediate resiliency skills being inlaid (I can handle something much bigger than myself). If not, there is an opportunity to try another method and get a different reaction (behavioral rehearsal) which easily translates to situations in life outside the EAP arena.
To learn more about this form of therapy contact Spring Reins of Life at info@springreinsoflife.org.
Annually in June there is an Open House/Demo at the farm in Hillsborough where the horses work - this is the only time during the year when the public is invited to the farm to meet The Herd and view or participate in a Demo of what an EAP session is like.
This year's Open House is on Sunday, June 5 from 1-6 p.m. "The elusive answers to life's most difficult and complex challenges come to the surface from within by accepting guidance from...a Horse!"
About Mark Riccadonna (featured comic)
Mark Riccadonna grew up an artsy jock outside of Youngstown, Ohio. At age 17 (like a bad independent movie), Mark moved to NYC in search of himself and happiness. He pursued Theatre at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, joining "The Company" after graduation. Soon after, Mark stumbled upon Stand-Up Comedy and found success as a storyteller, performing throughout New York City, and 'on the road'. Mark currently also performs for Armed Forces Entertainment, and has entertained U.S. and U.N. Troops worldwide, performing in six continents while working with his childhood heroes. Outside of comedy, Mark is an accomplished actor and writer. Most recently Mark has a lead role in the feature film "Days of Power" and is writing for Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update. Whether he is working with The Amoralists Theatre Company (In the acclaimed hit "Happy in the Poor House"), Angry Shih Tzu Productions or on tour with Stand-Up, Mark continues to climb the ranks. He is a gifted storyteller, with a charisma that makes you feel like you've known him forever, unique delivery, signature voice (that has landed him several commercials) and likability; you will see why he is a favorite at clubs and theatres everywhere.
Not only is storytelling an art that throughout time has passed information, life lessons and entertainment from generation to generation, it is one of the oldest art forms celebrated. It is also the best part of the entertainment business. Just ask Mark Riccadonna about when the show is over. After the place has cleared out, there is no better feeling then bellying up to the bar with your fellow performers, cracking a drink and a smile, while entertaining your fellow entertainers. What he does on stage isn't what entertains Mark. He loves the stories from the green room, a sparkle in the eye, a drink in hand and a great tale from the road. In "Drinks, Jokes and Storytelling" it Mark's goal to bring the green room out to the stage and let the audience see behind the scenes of what entertains their entertainment. www.MarkRiccadonna.com
About Sean Lynch
Sean Lynch is best known for his appearances on Comedy Central's Contest Searchlight with Denis Leary and Lenny Clarke as well as various voices on his hit MTV show Celebrity Deathmatch. Sean has also appeared on MTV Spring Break, Showtime's Comedy Shorts and HBO's Flashback. He has written for MTV, Spike TV and The Food Network. His voice is well known as an announcer for MTV, The Grand Theft Auto game series and several commercials. NY Magazine's Eric Gonzalez-Rattfink describes Lynch's comedic style has been described as... "A story teller with the energy and vocal versatility of Robin Williams tempered with the folksy narrative of a young Garrison Keillor" "He is genuinely a great story teller, It is more than evident that his material is truer than fiction, and nine times out of ten his set is new material."
About Teddy Daniels
A baby boomer that has decided it is important to use the stage as an educational tool to warn us about impending disasters. No, not global warming or out of control speeding asteroids hurtling towards the Earth. Not even the Economic crisis we and our country now face. But about the dangers of raising a family, hospital visits, being a dog owner, traveling or doing anything else that the world might consider normal, Ted has a slightly different view. Because he is too cheap to spend $125.00 an hour to tell his problems to a psychologist, he will tell them to you. If it bothers you a little bit, chances are it bothers Ted...a lot and you are going to hear about it. He's able to get away with this ranting because he is a nice guy...a nice guy with a lot of problems. Offstage he does a great job of appearing normal, after listening to him for awhile you realize; he is just as nuts as everyone else. Ted has recently opened for SNL's Jim Breuer, 30 Rock's Tracey Morgan and Rhyss Darby from HBO's "Flight of the Conchords" and Jim Carey's "Yes Man" and regularly opens for the Legendary, Bobby Collins. His ability to work clean or edgy makes it easy for him to be on almost any show in any venue. He is a regular at The Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas yet works many Church and school comedy fundraisers. He is working his way back to heaven, "one church basement at a time".
About Ritu Chandra
Ritu Chandra is a stand-up comedian. The daughter of immigrants, she left home at 18 and has lived all over the country. Never feeling like she fit in anywhere, she quickly realized humor was a way to get along with others. Her comedy is based on her life experiences which continue to grow stranger by the years.
ABOUT Spring Reins of Life, 501c3
Spring Reins of Life (Horses, Humans & Healing) is a 501c3 nonprofit public charity offering Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to trauma survivors in New Jersey, NYC and Eastern Pa. Spring Reins of Life (SRoL) was founded in 2012 and is dedicated to serving PTSD veterans & their families, at-risk/high- risk youth and children in bereavement. In 2013 SRoL became the first and still currently the only program in New Jersey to earn the "Military Services Provider Certificate". SRoL's clients include: Lyons VA Hospital, Lakewood Vet Center, Bonnie Brae, Misunderstood Youth Development Center, New City Kids, Hunterdon Youth Services, NJJJC, NJTS and Good Grief Princeton. EAP services are offered under the EAGALA Model adhering to code of ethics and HIPAA compliancy. SRoL is a volunteer run organization allowing nearly 90% of all funding to be directed to programming costs and providing as many groups offerings as possible. Public/private funding is both necessary and greatly appreciated; all donations are fully tax deductible. www.SpringReinsofLife.org
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