Honeoye Falls, NY August 26, 2024 - EquiCenter is excited to announce a $150,000 grant from the Golisano Foundation to support the construction of an additional indoor riding arena to address the demand for their mounted, equine-assisted learning services.
The Golisano Foundation is a prominent advocate for programs supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This grant will assist EquiCenter in expanding its facilities to better meet the community’s increasing need for alternative therapeutic programming.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Golisano Foundation for this transformative grant,” said Katherine Hatch, Executive Director. “This new arena will significantly expand our capacity, allowing us to serve more participants and offer them a year-round, sensory sensitive environment for our equine-assisted activities.”
This grant is a key part of EquiCenter’s five-year strategic plan, which focuses on infrastructure expansion to meet increasing community needs. With the arena's construction underway, they are poised to enhance services and continue offering highquality programming. EquiCenter is currently operating at full capacity, with over 120 individuals on the waitlist, 90% of whom have an I/DD diagnosis. The arena is expected to be operational within the first quarter of 2025, allowing a 30% increase in unique individuals served within the first year.
“We are pleased to help EquiCenter expand it riding facilities so that more people can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of riding and being outdoors,” said Erica Dayton, Golisano Foundation Executive Director. “Our community is very fortunate to have EquiCenter. Its dedication to innovation and meeting changing needs over the last two decades have given people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy the healing aspects of horses, nature and sport.”
EquiCenter’s programs have evolved from their initial focus on equine-assisted activities to include therapeutic horticulture, natural horsemanship with mustangs, culinary arts, beekeeping, and maple syrup production. The communities served have also grown to encompass veterans, first responders, at-risk youth, and school groups. The organization operates these life-changing programs at its 200-acre facility with a herd of nearly 40 horses, indoor and outdoor arenas, and a three-acre organic practice farm. While horses remain at the core of its mission, these new programs complement the equine-assisted activities, all of which enhance the quality of life for its participants.
For more information about EquiCenter and its programs, please visit equicenterny.org or contact info@equicenterny.org.
The Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. dedicated to making the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Foundation is devoted to opening doors to opportunity, changing negative perceptions and stereotypes, and forging unprecedented partnerships to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have pathways to personal dignity, independence, and the best possible expression of their abilities and talents throughout their lifetimes. Founded in 1985 by Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader, and founder of Paychex, Inc. —the Foundation “imagines the possibilities,” advocating for families, fighting for their dignity, and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities. With more than $60 million in gross assets, it awards about $3 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.
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