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