EquiCenter in Mendon has received $500,000 from New York state to offset the costs of repairing a barn and making its facilities more accessible.
Assemblymember Jen Lunsford announced the money Wednesday, when she and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie visited EquiCenter. The organization uses horses, horticulture, and nature-based experiences for educational and therapeutic programs, among other things.
The programs serve everyone, but they have a focus on people with disabilities, youths from underserved communities, veterans, and first responders.
"We want to make sure that we're finding ways to give back and to make our capital investments work for the people," Lunsford said before handing EquiCenter representatives an oversized ceremonial check.
Katherine Hatch, the organization’s executive director, said some of the money will go toward making its mustang round pen more permanent, and usable year-round.
The organization's Mission Mustang program uses that pen. Through that initiative, veterans who have post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injuries "gentle" and teach mustangs to prepare them for new homes. It's meant to promote connection and healing, both for the horses and veterans.
The rest of the money will go toward work to make EquiCenter’s buildings and heavily used areas on its grounds more accessible, Hatch said. That includes making surfaces smoother between buildings so it’s easier for people to go back and forth.
"This is really opening up our programs more so than ever to anybody who needs them," Hatch said.
Heastie and Lunsford also announced $400,000 for EquiCenter to assist with operating expenses.
WXXI interns Audrey Gavagan and Ollie Butler contributed reporting for this story.
