Feature Story And Photos By Larry H. Oskin
Michael’s Foundation is a non-profit program where horses empower military veterans and their families. Founded by President Kriss Titus and supported by Board Chairman Mark Miller, the organization proudly provides free veteran benefit guidance and experience-based support services made possible by a partnership with Alan Alford’s “Fighting for Our Heroes Foundation”. Michael’s Foundation is now hosting multiple events per month at their Clermont horse farm located between Little Lake Nellie and Big Lake Nellie.
Their most recent event featured a series of prominent guest speakers, starting with Kriss Titus who told the inspiring Michael’s Foundation story. She shared that Michael, after proudly serving his country and suffering from PTSD, sadly took his own life, which devastated his entire family. She noted, “The sad news is that Michael is not here with us. The good news is that we are all here to fulfill his dreams and desires to help all veterans!” Neftali ‘Nef’ Rodriguez of the Camaraderie Foundation spoke about their alliance for partnerships between both of their veteran support programs. Kriss’s other Veteran son Matt Titus, spoke about his own life journey and his own PTSD challenges. Mark Miller, the owner of the farm spoke about their current and future plans.
Board Chairman Mark Miller, owner of Al-Marah Arabian Horses, is the host farm for Michael’s Foundation. Miller shared, “Michael’s Foundation was originally founded to be a suicide prevention program for Veterans. We discovered that Veterans and horses were only part of the therapeutic value. We learned that we needed to help treat the entire family including parents, spouses and children as part of our community.
Many Veterans and their families share common challenges. We work together to resolve problems and share solutions while providing interactive fun and connection for the whole family. Our equine-based therapies started with deaf children. Kriss Titus approached me, knowing I had a large nationally respected family farm of Arabian horses.
By expanding our support services to Veterans, we are able to offer ongoing special events, activities and support therapies. While we started Michael’s Foundation at the start of the pandemic in 2019, it has been a challenge. While this event was only our second month, we want to continue to share happiness, joy and warmth with a variety of Veteran’s family programs going forward. I am sure we have already helped to save some lives, while it would be worth it if we only helped to save one Veteran’s life. We have started to have several family events per month. We will continue to offer free impactful events and resources to U.S. Veterans that will truly make a difference for them and their families!”
Alan Alford of “Fighting for Our Heroes Foundation”, has become a leader within the veteran community. He has assisted tens of thousands of veterans, service members and their families to receive their hard-earned veteran’s benefits. Michael Titus was one of his clients. Alford shared, “After Michael took his life, we knew something good will come from this, knowing how supportive his family had always been. We are really very happy to have everyone here at our Michael’s Foundation to support our veterans and their families through events. We promise that you will always leave here feeling better than when you arrived.”
COO Eileen Daley noted, “We highlight our return-Veteran participants with their stories on Facebook each Friday, in order to promote and encourage awareness around what Vets experience post-active duty, and while transitioning to civilian life.” She shared a story about one of their female Vets, who explained her experience as being challenging because as a woman, no one believed she was a Vet since she isn’t a man. She continued to say how impactful the Michael’s Foundation program has been for her and the entire community for a variety of heartwarming reasons.
She shared that the plans for the day was a full array of family entertainment which included a kid’s magician Cesar Domico and Star Wars Jedi Training by Disney Team guests.
Magical ShowHighlights of the day included visiting veterans and their families to share time petting and snuggling with the horses while taking memorable photos. Members of US Senator Marco Rubio’s office were there with their supportive outreach team to help their advocacy of helping Veterans. Free gifts were raffled off all day long.
Horse Wellness workshops are led by certified professionals promoting health and wellness. Cross-fitness and functional fitness sessions including yoga and therapy sessions are also offered.
Upcoming Foundation Events: They have an Egg-citing Easter Event planned on April 16 with a waterslide bounce house and Chat & Chill Lunch event for Mother’s Day on April 30 with a professional photographer, for Veteran moms on the farm! Other programs will include Wellness Days, Farm Fun Days and Veteran Family Benefit Guidance. Family Fun Days include potlucks at the farm with guest speakers and educational presentations. RSVP on their website at: https://michaels-foundation.org/events/.
For More Information, call 407-917-3150. Visit www.Michaels-Foundation.org and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/michaelsfoundationflorida. All events will be held on Al-Marah Arabian’s Horse Farm at 11105 Autumn Lane, Clermont, FL 34711.
