in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
November 07, 2022
Barb Sheperd Development Officer, Hope Haven, Benoit Dube - Executive Director, Hope Haven, Jay Armitage Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Hydro One pose at Hope Haven Centre.
Hope Haven, near Markdale, provides life-changing experiences to children with disabilities and improves access to care for rural families. Through the Energizing Life Community Fund, Hope Haven was able to expand programming and help 100 more students with disabilities and unique needs access the 'Saddle Up for Success' program.
"With the $25,000 support from the Energizing Life Community Fund in March of 2022, 100 children with unique needs were given the opportunity to experience the incredible healing power of horses through our Saddle Up for Success school program," said Barb Sheperd, Development Officer, Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre. "Our program helps children build confidence, explore different emotions and develop a sense of empathy towards other living things. We are extremely grateful to Hydro One for helping more kids access this transformative opportunity."
'Saddle Up For Success' student
'Saddle Up For Success' is a research based program developed for elementary and secondary students with disabilities and other diverse needs. Research shows that equine-based programs provide students the opportunity to develop stronger self-confidence, self-regulation and coping skills so they can better deal with emotions and behaviours related to anxiety, anger, fear, and frustration. Simply having horses present in the same environment has shown to increase social engagement and provide a positive platform for learning new skills.
Learning horsemanship and leading.
"At Hydro One, we are committed to being present and giving back to the communities where we live and work. Charitable organizations and municipalities are powerful agents of change, and we are proud to support them as they build a better and brighter future for residents," said Jay Armitage, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Hydro One. "Organizations like Hope Haven work tirelessly to energize life in their communities, and we want to thank them for all they do."
"Hydro One's Energizing Life Community Fund is an incredible example of what it means to be a true community partner to Ontarians," said Todd Smith, Ontario's Minister of Energy. "Watching this program grow over the last two years has been remarkable, and I'm excited to see the positive impact the Energizing Life Community Fund will have on people and communities in 2023."
For the last two years, recipients of the Energizing Life Community Fund have directly supported community safety and well being through several new initiatives, including service dog training for children with autism, diversified offerings at a food bank to better serve Halal residents and refurbished bicycles for children in need.
To apply for the Energizing Life Community Fund, please visit: www.hydroone.com/about/energizing-life.
Applications close on January 31, 2023.
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