Thanks to a grant by a local philanthropist, August 10 marked the first ceremonious day of a new era for EquiCenter, the Mendon-based volunteer-based, not-for-profit therapeutic horse center that benefits people with disabilities, veterans and at-risk youth.
The center officially moved from its former facility at 3409 Rush-Mendon Road to its new location, now named the EquiCenter at the William & Mildred Levine Ranch at 3247 Rush-Mendon Road.
“The William & Mildred Levine Foundation has forever changed the EquiCenter and the community through this generous gift,” said Jonathan Friedlander, president and CEO of the EquiCenter. “It’s the first step toward the EquiCenter’s vision of increasing its capacity to serve the community at a new location with a larger, year-round facility.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by William Levine, business and philanthropist, whose pledge of $1.5 million from the William and Mildred Levine Foundation made possible this property purchase and expansion of EquiCenter Services.
The EquiCenter’s programs, such as Therapeutic Riding, Vaulting, Hippotherapy and Horsemanship, (Equine-Facilitated Mental Health), enable participants to address individual goals and improve their endurance, stability, posture, muscle tone, communication skills, self-confidence, independence and emotional well-being.
“Our prior facility was an old barn with an indoor arena, which limited us to having only about 16 horses,” said Jennifer Weinstein, the center’s director of development. “At our new 178-acre location, the number of horses we can acquire is unlimited, which allows us to greatly expand our programming. We can now serve the people who have been on waiting lists every single year.”
Plans for the new, expanded EquiCenter at the William & Mildred Levine Ranch include the following components:
* A large heated indoor riding arena, a building complex to include offices, training space, therapy rooms, educational classrooms, meeting space and special event rooms.
* Riding and carriage driving trails
* Additional pasture areas for 30 horses
* Outdoor riding arenas
* A sensory trail course
* Event, picnic and demonstration areas
* Overnight adventure campgrounds
* Maintenance space and storage
* Parking and special event space
