Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Cradle Beach, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Cradle Beach
Mailing Address: 8038 Old Lakeshore Road
City: Angola
State: New York
Postal Code: 14006
Main Phone: 716-549-6307
Main Fax: 716-549-6825
Organization Website: www.cradlebeach.org
Employer ID Number: 16-0743025
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 19, 2026
Requested Amount: 10,000.00

Project Title: Cradle Beach Summer Camp Program
Project Description:

Cradle Beach offers an overnight summer camp experience to children ages 8-17 years old with disabilities and/or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Summer camp provides children with the opportunity to learn, grow and play in a safe and enriching environment. Through recreational activities, skill-building opportunities and positive peer interactions, campers develop confidence, independence and meaningful social connections while enjoying a traditional camp experience.

Cradle Beach empowers children with disabilities and the underserved to become their best selves. We create opportunities for life-changing experiences in a supportive and inclusive setting. Cradle Beach has been proudly serving the children and families of Western New York for more than 138 years.

Cradle Beach sits on the shores of Lake Erie about 20 miles south of the City of Buffalo. The 66-acre campus includes a heated and fully accessible swimming pool, basketball court, baseball/softball diamond, nature trails, playground, an accessible treehouse, arts & crafts and performing arts centers, and enough cabins to comfortably sleep 100 campers each session. About 800 campers enjoy the Cradle Beach experience every summer. The camp also includes an infirmary and a commercial kitchen and dining hall.

Participants include campers with physical, developmental and social-emotional disabilities as well as campers who face barriers related to income, transportation or limited access to structured extracurricular programming.

Cradle Beach employs over 150 staff every summer. Program staff include direct support staff and mental health counselors, supervisors, registered nurses, and support personnel. Staff receive a week long training in trauma-informed care, behavior management, disabilities, youth mental health first aid, and so much more. Volunteers and community members also play an important role in supporting programming and special events.

Cradle Beach is open year-round. In the offseason the campus provides professionally supported respite services and programs for youth as well as seniors.

Total Project Budget: $2.5 million

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Special events, corporate underwriting, individual donations, foundation grants, county and state governmental agencies

Project Duration: 8 weeks
Geographical Area Served: Western and Central New York State
Age Group To Be Served: 8-17

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Michael
Contact Last Name: Benzin
Contact Title: Director of Advancement & Development
Contact Phone: 716-549-6307
Contact Email: mbenzin@cradlebeach.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Texas Academy of Figurative Art
Legal Name (if Different): Texas Academy of Fine Art
Also Known As: TAFA
Mailing Address: 415 S Main Street
City: Fort Worth
State: TX
Postal Code: 76104
Main Phone: 8177272995
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.tafastudio.org/
Employer ID Number: 46-4975029
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/19/26
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Teen Outreach and Workshop
Project Description:

The TAFA Teen Workshop is a two-week summer program that provides high school students with rigorous, skill-based training in classical realist drawing and painting. Rooted in Old Master techniques and academic realism, this approach is largely absent from most high school and community art programs. As many colleges and universities have moved away from traditional fine art instruction, fewer teachers are equipped to offer this training. Since 2014, the workshop has helped address this gap by giving teens access to professional-level instruction in observational drawing and painting.

Students follow a structured curriculum designed to build foundational technical skills, artistic discipline, and confidence. Over the course of the program, each participant completes three major projects: two drawings in different media and one still life oil painting from direct observation. These works often support students’ continued artistic development, including submission to competitions such as VASE and preparation of college portfolios. The workshop mirrors the expectations of TAFA’s Core Program while remaining accessible to high school students, and includes individualized feedback and mentorship in a focused studio setting.

The program concludes with a public exhibition, offering students the opportunity to present their work to peers, family, and the community while celebrating their progress.

TAFA is committed to expanding access to high-quality arts education, with a strong focus on students from underserved communities and Title I schools. Tuition assistance is provided to ensure financial barriers do not limit participation.

Grant funding will support instruction, administration, student materials, tuition assistance, and outreach efforts. This support will help ensure that young artists can access rigorous training that is otherwise unavailable to them.

Check out our Teen Workshop video: https://vimeo.com/851712023?fl=pl&fe=vl

Total Project Budget: $24,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Arts Fort Worth (potential), Web Maddox Trust (potential), CB Baird Foundation (potential)

Project Duration: Outreach: January 2027 – June 2027 , Workshop takes place: June 14th 2027 – June 25th, 2027
Geographical Area Served: State of Texas, Tarrant County
Age Group To Be Served: 14 – 18 (High school students)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Annalise
Contact Last Name: Dingus
Contact Title: Marketing and Development Manager
Contact Phone: 817-239-3220
Contact Email: annalise@tafastudio.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Central City Neighborhood Partners
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 501 Bixel Street
City: Los Angeles
State: CA
Postal Code: 90017
Main Phone: 213-482-8618
Main Fax: 213-241-0909
Organization Website: https://laccnp.org
Employer ID Number: 95-4837709
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 19, 2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Youth Financial Empowerment Lab (Ages 14–21)
Project Description:

Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP) proposes the Youth Financial Empowerment Lab, a one-year initiative serving low-income youth ages 14–21 in Los Angeles. The program equips participants with practical financial skills, workforce readiness, and pathways to economic independence.
Youth will participate in a structured series of workshops covering budgeting, banking, credit building, and income generation, combined with individualized coaching. Participants will also engage in career exploration sessions, resume development, and mock interviews.
The program prioritizes youth from immigrant and low-income households who face systemic barriers to financial literacy and employment opportunities. CCNP’s culturally responsive approach ensures content is accessible and relevant, with bilingual support and trusted community-based facilitators.
Over the course of the year, at least 75 youth will complete the program. Outcomes include increased financial knowledge, establishment of savings goals, improved job readiness, and connection to employment or education pathways.
Funding will support program materials, workshop facilitation, and direct youth engagement activities. This initiative provides young people with the tools to make informed financial decisions, build stability, and pursue long-term success.

Total Project Budget: $18,500

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Central City Neighborhood Partners (Committed) – Staff time, facilities, and program infrastructure

Project Duration: January 1, 2027 – June 30, 2027
Geographical Area Served: Los Angeles, California (Westlake, Pico-Union, and Koreatown neighborhoods)
Age Group To Be Served: Ages 14–21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Eduardo
Contact Last Name: Rodriguez
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 213-500-9508
Contact Email: ed.rodriguez@laccnp.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Tree Trust
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1419 Energy Park Dr.
City: St. Paul
State: MN
Postal Code: 55108
Main Phone: 952-767-3880
Main Fax:
Organization Website: treetrust.org
Employer ID Number: 41-1291626
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/19/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Summer Youth Employment Program
Project Description:

Since its founding in 1976, Tree Trust has trained young people for meaningful employment. The organization has adapted over the years to serve Minnesota’s evolving needs, while remaining committed to its mission of transforming lives and landscapes—by helping people build career skills, inspiring tree planting, and making the community greener and healthier.

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is Tree Trust’s entry-level initiative for high school youth ages 14-21. Many participants face barriers such as racism, poverty, disabilities, homelessness, or mental health challenges. SYEP offers a positive, participant-centered work experience that equips youth with essential workplace and interpersonal skills. The program helps lay a foundation for success in school and future employment, emphasizing perseverance, community involvement, and the satisfaction of accomplishing meaningful work.

SYEP operates for nine weeks from June to August. Trainees earn paychecks while developing technical skills and stewarding community green spaces through construction and landscaping projects. Activities include planting shrubs and flowers, removing invasive species, installing patios and block walls, constructing bridges, boardwalks, staircases, retaining walls, fences, and maintaining trails.

Trainees also complete job readiness training, receive mentorship from Tree Trust staff, practice budgeting, and set career goals. They learn transferable skills such as teamwork, clear communication, meeting workplace expectations, and giving and receiving feedback. At the end of the program, trainees receive a Tree Trust Certificate, recognizing skills such as tool identification, worksite safety, environmental stewardship, budgeting, career exploration, resume building, and interviewing. These skills prepare youth for careers in landscaping, city parks, carpentry, and project management. Youth work about 20 hours per week on supervised landscaping and construction projects.

Total Project Budget: $881,589

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): All support for our 2027 program is potential at this time. We have received support from the following funding sources historically and expect their continued partnership: CenterPoint Energy, Dakota County Youth Workforce Program, Great River Energy,Hennepin County Youth Career Development Services, McNeely Foundation, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions/CareerForce, RBC Foundation, Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Walser Foundation.

Project Duration: June-August 2027
Geographical Area Served: Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro area, Minnesota
Age Group To Be Served: 14-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.):
Contact First Name: Anne-Marie
Contact Last Name: Hendrickson
Contact Title: Director of Development and Communications
Contact Phone: 952-767-3882
Contact Email: development@treetrust.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Tree Trust
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Main Phone:
Main Fax:
Organization Website:
Employer ID Number:
Organization Tax Status:

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date:
Requested Amount:

Project Title:
Project Description:

Total Project Budget:

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential):

Project Duration:
Geographical Area Served:
Age Group To Be Served:

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.):
Contact First Name:
Contact Last Name:
Contact Title:
Contact Phone:
Contact Email:

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Penfield Children’s Center
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 833 N 26th St
City: Milwaukee
State: WI
Postal Code: 53233
Main Phone: (414) 344-7676
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://penfieldchildren.org/
Employer ID Number: 39-1093701
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/19/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Penfield Children’s Center: Birth to Three Program
Project Description:

Penfield Children’s Center is one of only three contracted providers for Milwaukee County’s Birth to Three early intervention program. Through in‑home, evidence‑based services, Penfield helps infants and toddlers strengthen their health, developmental readiness, and social‑emotional well‑being. Each year, more than 1,100 children qualify for services due to a diagnosed disability, atypical development, or a delay of 25 percent or more in at least one developmental area.

Penfield’s approach is rooted in the belief that families are the child’s first and most important teachers. Our interdisciplinary team, which includes physical, occupational, and speech therapists, early childhood special educators, social workers, and service coordinators, partners directly with parents and caregivers to support each child’s growth. Rather than providing isolated therapy, service providers coach caregivers during daily routines such as play, mealtime, and bedtime. This helps families incorporate effective strategies into the natural flow of their day and increases a child’s ability to participate meaningfully in family life. The model also strengthens parent‑child relationships and ensures that developmental progress continues between visits.

Penfield’s Birth to Three services lead to measurable and meaningful outcomes. In 2024, 94 percent of participating children improved in motor skills, 92 percent improved in cognitive development, and 91 percent showed gains in communication. These results reflect the combined impact of individualized plans, culturally responsive support, and a commitment to meeting families where they are.

By empowering parents and equipping young children with the skills they need to thrive, Penfield helps build a strong foundation for school readiness and long‑term well‑being for Milwaukee’s youngest learners.

Total Project Budget: 3,232,216

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 2,618,451

Project Duration: 01/01/2027 – 12/31/2027
Geographical Area Served: Milwaukee County, WI
Age Group To Be Served: Birth – Three

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Emily
Contact Last Name: Braun
Contact Title: Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 414-345-6328
Contact Email: grants@penfieldchildren.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Penfield Children’s Center
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 833 N 26th St
City: Milwaukee
State: WI
Postal Code: 53233
Main Phone: (414) 344-7676
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://penfieldchildren.org/
Employer ID Number: 39-1093701
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/19/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Penfield Children’s Center: Birth to Three Program
Project Description:

Penfield Children’s Center is one of only three contracted providers for Milwaukee County’s Birth to Three early intervention program. Through in‑home, evidence‑based services, Penfield helps infants and toddlers strengthen their health, developmental readiness, and social‑emotional well‑being. Each year, more than 1,100 children qualify for services due to a diagnosed disability, atypical development, or a delay of 25 percent or more in at least one developmental area.

Penfield’s approach is rooted in the belief that families are the child’s first and most important teachers. Our interdisciplinary team, which includes physical, occupational, and speech therapists, early childhood special educators, social workers, and service coordinators, partners directly with parents and caregivers to support each child’s growth. Rather than providing isolated therapy, service providers coach caregivers during daily routines such as play, mealtime, and bedtime. This helps families incorporate effective strategies into the natural flow of their day and increases a child’s ability to participate meaningfully in family life. The model also strengthens parent‑child relationships and ensures that developmental progress continues between visits.

Penfield’s Birth to Three services lead to measurable and meaningful outcomes. In 2024, 94 percent of participating children improved in motor skills, 92 percent improved in cognitive development, and 91 percent showed gains in communication. These results reflect the combined impact of individualized plans, culturally responsive support, and a commitment to meeting families where they are.

By empowering parents and equipping young children with the skills they need to thrive, Penfield helps build a strong foundation for school readiness and long‑term well‑being for Milwaukee’s youngest learners.

Total Project Budget: 3,232,216

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 2,618,451

Project Duration: 01/01/2027 – 12/31/2027
Geographical Area Served: Milwaukee County, WI
Age Group To Be Served: Birth – Three

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Emily
Contact Last Name: Braun
Contact Title: Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 414-345-6328
Contact Email: grants@penfieldchildren.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Lit Empowerment and Support Inc.
Legal Name (if Different): Lit Empowerment and Support Inc.
Also Known As: Lit Empowerment and Support Inc.
Mailing Address: 5841 Natureview Ln
City: Dublin
State: OH
Postal Code: 43017
Main Phone: 6148129320
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://litempowermentsupport.org/
Employer ID Number: 81-3931718
Organization Tax Status: Tax-Exempt 501 (c) 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 20, 2026
Requested Amount: $7,000

Project Title: "Closing the Gap: Digital Inclusion for Vulnerable Youth"
Project Description:

For many young adults in Franklin County, stepping into adulthood without reliable internet or access to a computer makes the world feel smaller than it should. Tasks such as writing a résumé, setting up an email account, or applying for a job become obstacles instead of opportunities.

Yet when these same young people are welcomed into a supportive space, given hands-on guidance, and provided with tools they can actually use, the path ahead opens with possibility.

LitEmpowerment and Support Inc. is requesting $7,000 as part of a larger $30,000 project to launch Phase 1 of the Digital Inclusion For Vulnerable Youth Project. This initial phase will serve 30 young adults—15 at The Reeb Center and 15 at the J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center—through a three-month digital literacy workshop series designed to build confidence, competence, and a sense of agency. These centers already offer encouragement and stability, making them ideal places for young people to learn and grow.

Workshops will cover the everyday digital skills that shape opportunity: safe internet navigation, professional email use, résumé building, job-search strategies, Microsoft Office basics, and an introduction to emerging tools like AI.

The $7,000 in Phase 1 funding will support the
purchase of 10 laptops for training and the development of accessible, engaging teaching materials. At the end of each center’s workshop cycle, the laptops will be donated to the youth center, ensuring sustained access and allowing LitEmpowerment to expand the program toward its goal of
reaching 90 young adults.

Short-term outcomes include résumé completion, new email accounts, increased digital confidence, and early job-application activity.
Long-term outcomes include improved employment readiness, stronger educational pathways, and lasting access to technology, key ingredients for helping young adults step confidently into their futures.

Total Project Budget: $30,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Rota Foundation -$,5000 – Committed ;Aliant Foundation – $20,000 – Potential

Project Duration: 3 months
Geographical Area Served: Franklin County, Ohio
Age Group To Be Served: 18-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Evelyn
Contact Last Name: Amponsah
Contact Title: Founder
Contact Phone: 6148129320
Contact Email: contact@litempowermentsupport.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Lift The Block
Legal Name (if Different): Lift The Block Organization
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 4501 Woodward Ave , Ste 101-B 111
City: Detroit
State: MI
Postal Code: 48201
Main Phone: 3134213199
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.lifttheblock.com/
Employer ID Number: 39-4868113
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/19/2026
Requested Amount: 7,500

Project Title: Meals on the Block: Youth & Family Food Security Initiative
Project Description:

Lift The Block’s Meals on the Block: Youth & Family Food Security Initiative is a community-based program designed to combat food insecurity among children and families in Detroit. This initiative provides consistent, nutritious meal distributions directly to underserved neighborhoods, with a strong focus on households with children ages 0–21.

Through scheduled distribution days, families receive prepared meals that include sandwiches, fresh fruit, snacks, and essential items, helping to reduce immediate hunger while supporting overall family stability. Many of the families served face economic hardship, limited access to healthy food options, and barriers to reliable transportation, making consistent food access a challenge.

With support from the Hermanowski Family Foundation, Lift The Block will expand its reach to serve over 250 youth and their families, providing approximately 2,500–3,000 meals over the course of the project year. The average cost per meal is approximately $3, ensuring efficient use of funds while maximizing direct community impact.

This initiative is volunteer-driven and community-centered, ensuring that resources are distributed efficiently and directly to those in need. By focusing on youth and family households, Lift The Block is helping to create a more stable and supportive environment where children can thrive.

Funding will directly support food purchases, meal preparation, packaging, and distribution efforts. This project will be fully implemented and completed within one year, with measurable outcomes and an evaluation report provided upon completion.

Total Project Budget: 10,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): ALDI Community Gift Card Program (Committed: $500) • Pending Requests: Meijer, Walmart, Kroger, Panera Bread • Local business donations and community partners (in-kind food support)

Project Duration: January 2027 – December 2027 (12 Months)
Geographical Area Served: Detroit, Michigan (Wayne County)
Age Group To Be Served: Children, Youth, and Young Adults (Ages 0–21), along with their families

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Ashley
Contact Last Name: Thornton
Contact Title: Founder & President
Contact Phone: 3134213199
Contact Email: info@lifttheblock.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Strongwater Farm
Mailing Address: 500 Livingston Street, Box 754
City: Tewksbury
State: MA
Postal Code: 01876
Main Phone: 978-851-5540
Main Fax: 978-851-5540
Organization Website: www.strongwaterfarm.org
Employer ID Number: 04-3436653
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/20/2026
Requested Amount: 5000

Project Title: Services for Children and Youth
Project Description:

Strongwater Farm is seeking funding for its programs for children and youth. In its 25th year, Strongwater Farm provides programs for over 250 children and youth annually, primarily children and youth with disabilities or behavioral challenges, including those with developmental disabilities, on the autism spectrum, as well as youth in the custody of the MA Department of Children & Families. We provide group and individual sessions, workplace readiness transition programs for special needs youth between the ages of 18 and 21, and trauma-informed support for at-risk youth, offered in partnership with local public schools, group homes, special education collaboratives and state and private agencies.

Children and youth with disabilities report poorer mental health compared with peers without disabilities. According to University of Illinois at Chicago researchers, teens with disabilities are up to five times more likely to suffer from mental, emotional and behavioral health disorders than those without disabilities.

Horses are keen observers and are vigilant and sensitive to movement and emotion. They often mirror a youth’s behavior or emotions, providing immediate feedback and help young people develop self-awareness. The need to communicate with a horse calmly and non-reactively promotes the skills of emotional awareness, emotional regulation, self-control, and impulse modulation. Because equine services are experiential and sensory based, they can be helpful for those who are reluctant to participate in more traditional therapies or who have cognitive and sensory issues that make therapy difficult.

All our instructors are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, with many holding additional therapeutic credentials and advanced degrees in progress. In addition, Strongwater’s executive director brings lived experience to the work as she was in foster care as a child.

Total Project Budget: 300,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): DCU for kids $5,000 – pending; Amelia Peabody Foundation – $10,000 pending; John Alden Trust $10,000 committed;

Project Duration: now through the end of fiscal year 2026 (12/31/26)
Geographical Area Served: Northeast Massachusetts and Southern NH
Age Group To Be Served: Ages 6 to 21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Starlet
Contact Last Name: Baker
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 978-851-2906
Contact Email: executive.director@strongwaterfarm.org