NEWS 2021
New Greater Pike Fund to Help With Equine Therapy Access
November 27, 2021
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More people could soon have access to GAIT equine therapy programs through a new Fund established with Greater Pike Community Foundation to help defray tuition costs.
Photos provided by and used with permission of GAIT.
MILFORD, PA – A new fund established by the GAIT Advisory Council at Greater Pike Community Foundation will make it easier to participate in GAIT’s equine therapy programs. The GAIT Advisory Council Endowment fund will defray tuition costs and make therapy more accessible for children and adults with a variety of diagnoses and disabilities while expanding awareness of all their programs.
GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center offers skilled equine therapy by trained staff and volunteers to clients of all ages who have been diagnosed with an array of physical and/or emotional needs. GAIT’s Advisory Council is a volunteer Board focused on educating the community about GAIT and its services and helping subsidize or offset the costs of tuition for individuals.
“Our first goal is to bring attention to and educate the public about GAIT’s services,” said Eileen Smith, co-chair of the Advisory Council. “Secondly, this fund will be a private and discreet way to help individuals who can benefit from equine therapy but usually struggle asking for help.”
About 80% of people who can benefit from equine therapy either don’t know about it or can’t pay for it, said Steven Raider, co-chair of the Advisory Council. He and others on the Advisory Council are hopeful that by defraying tuition costs and providing more opportunities to more people to participate in the equine therapy programs, the word about its benefits will spread. “They become our ambassadors and can help educate others about the benefits of equine therapy,” he explained.
Greater Pike Executive Director Jenni Hamill congratulated the GAIT Advisory Council on establishing the new Fund, noting that an organizational endowment fund offers financial stability and an income stream. “This fund is perfect for their goals of providing program subsidies and education.” She added that other non-profits should consider creating an organizational endowment fund through Greater Pike because it builds confidence among potential donors when they see a focused strategy for long-term growth.
Smith explained that the Fund’s focus on tuition assistance will be attractive to donors who want to know how their money is being used and can see results.
GAIT offers equine therapy to all ages at their Milford facility. To learn more or to donate to the GAIT Advisory Council Fund visit https://greaterpike.org/fund_list. Scroll to the GAIT ACE Fund for the link.
Greater Pike helps individuals, families, and local businesses to provide a permanent and personal way to give back to the community. For more information contact Jenni Hamill, Executive Director, at (570) 832-4686, jennihamill@greaterpike.org, or visit www.greaterpike.org and Facebook.com/GreaterPike.