Endeavor Annual Report 2023

Dear Friends,

2023 was a monumental year for Endeavor. We would like to thank Jaclene Ginnel for her transformational leadership in helping us complete the construction of our indoor arena. Without her unwavering dedication, hard work, and guidance, we would not be where we are today. The new facility enabled a 60% increase in individuals served and an 85% increase in program revenue. These numbers surpassed our expectations.

We are fulfilling our mission, living true to our values, and growing our impact. While we are thrilled with our participant growth, we strive to make every program as personalized an experience as possible and instilled with our motto: enrich ~ inspire ~ empower.

I am excited and honored to be taking over as Board Chair and to lead this organization. I would like to welcome our New Board Members; Win Ghriskey, Matt Mitchell, James Rini, and Evan Pepper.

With Gratitude for Your Ongoing Support,

Payson Murray Emily Bushnell Board Chair Executive Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Payson Murray President

Cecilia Wolfson

Vice President

Christine Walsh

Treasurer

Ashley Allatt

Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS

Emily Bushnell

Laura Faulkner

Margot Fooshee

Win Ghriskey

Jaclene Ginnel

Alex Hamer

Matt Mitchell

Robert Nielsen

Kate Oliver

Evan Pepper

James Rini

Denise R. Santomero

ADVISORY BOARD

Caroline Black

Matt Bromley

Jeff Cox

Lizzie Gahagan

Betsy Mitchell

Marina Niceta de Palazzi

Allyson Pachios

Clark Patschek

Allison Ryan

Katherine Sheehan

Alan Sorkin

ENDEAVOR THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP, INC.

Founded in 2014, Endeavor’s mission is to empower individuals with a broad range of needs by providing the highest quality equine-assisted services in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Experienced staff ensure quality programs and services with highly-personalized curriculum and lesson planning. Endeavor physically, mentally, and emotionally supports and strengthens our participants through the partnership with the horse. Services focusing on four populations: children with disabilities, at-risk youth, veterans and active duty military, and individuals impacted by incarceration.

At-Risk Youth

Geared towards positive youth development through horsemanship. Participants enroll through our partnering agencies due to their extreme emotional, psychiatric, and/or behavioral needs resulting from experiences with trauma, poverty, racism, and other discrimination.

Endeavor partners with agencies that support children that are separated from their families, children refugees, and children whose primary caregiver is incarcerated.

Endeavor has served 2,300 youth to date.

Veteran & Active Duty Military

The Endeavor Veteran Program is the largest program at the farm. Offering weekly individual, group and virtual lessons along with vocational training opportunities, Female Veteran Retreats, Male Veterans Retreats, and Veteran Family Days throughout the year. Veterans at Endeavor participate in a combination of riding, ground horsemanship, and equine assisted psychotherapy.

Veterans report a decrease in: anxiety, suicidal ideation, intrusive and racing thoughts, flashbacks, feelings of shame, anxious thoughts, PTSD symptoms, relapse, self-harm, paranoia. Veterans self-report an increase in: ability to manage mental health, self-empowerment, ability to overcome fears, familial relations, hope, ability to self-regulate, and coping mechanisms. There are over 800 centers that provide equine-assisted services across the United States. Endeavor is the only center that is both an Eagala Military Designated Center with Advanced Military Mental Health Workers and a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc. Premiere Accredited Center. Endeavor’s programs are provided by the top highly-credentialed clinicians, educators, and instructors in our industry. All veteran programs are offered free of charge. Endeavor has served over 1,300 Veterans to date.

And, We Travel! The STX Van...

With thanks to a grant from Phelps Community Foundation, Endeavor makes grant use of our STX Van. The van enables Endeavor Staff and two equine partners to travel for any of our programs. A transformational solution for those that are not able to personally visit the farm.

Therapeutic Horsemanship

The Therapeutic Horsemanship Program combines riding and ground horsemanship skills and is appropriate for ages 4 and older of all abilities and skill levels.

We pride ourselves on teaching riding in a safe and judgement free environment that is empowering and fun.

Some of the therapeutic benefits we typically observe include core strength, fine motor skills, multistep directions, self-regulation, confidence, and communication.

Endeavor has served over 650 individuals to date.

Outcomes

In 2023, Endeavor collected the following key metrics through ETHOS:

-100% of at risk youth experienced an increase in confidence

-Improvement in behavior by 27% for all at risk youth

-Postural control improved by an average of 50% for all therapeutic riding participants

Equine - Assisted Learning Equine Prison Program

The multifaceted nature of Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) provides a unique opportunity for students to practice skills critical to success in the classroom and beyond. Embedded within Endeavor’s philosophy as equine-assisted educators is an understanding that all students are different and have unique strengths and areas for growth. Before any school group attends Endeavor, our instructors will discuss goals with the classroom teacher(s) and tailor sessions accordingly.

Endeavor offers to forms of equine assisted learning.

Endeavor Empowers

-Curriculum provides a unique opportunity to practice skills critical to success in the classroom

-Grounded in the philosophy that all students are different and have unique strengths and areas for growth

-Partnerships with self contained, inclusive and at risk classrooms

Endeavor Enriches

-Field trip opportunities for an in depth and eye opening experience

-Expressive communication improved by an average of 13% for all therapeutic riding participants

The Equine Prison Program was new in 2023.

A program free of charge, the Equine Prison Program teaches a twelve week vocational program to the women to learn basic horsemanship skills. In addition to learning new skills, the therapeutic benefits of working with horses is a positive impact from the program.

The Endeavor horses visit Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional Facility

Utilizing a vocational curriculum, the ground horsemanship program educates the women on basic horse husbandry while also creating a space for mindful reflection, sharing, and joy.

Endeavor also supports youth of incarcerated women and welcomed 50+ children in 2023 through our At Risk Youth Program.

Endeavor served over 50 incarcerated women in 2023.

-Students have the opportunity to develop empathy for contemporaries with a range of needs

-First steps towards empower students to make their own environment a more welcoming and safe space for all

Endeavor has served over 750 students to date.

There are currently less than 12 correctional facilities across the country that have an equine assisted program. There are correctional facilities that partner with equine retirement farms and the horses reside within the confines of the prison and the inmates are responsible for the equine care. There are prisons that partner with the Department of Land Bureau whom round up the wild mustangs to gentle the horses. And there are prisons that offer a similar program to the new Endeavor program to offer therapeutic and vocational programs. The City of New York published a paper titled “An Equine Facilitated Prison-Based Program: Human-Horse Relations and Effects On Inmate Emotions and Behaviors” that stated “Quantitative findings suggest that program participants have a statistically lower chance to recidivate as compared with the control group”.

Anecdotally, there are countless stories that articulate the focus of the equine program is vocational yet there are so many therapeutic benefits to the incarcerated population and likewise when the focus is therapeutic there are clear skill building improvements.

Equine programs can improve quality of life to the incarcerated population, support a more successful transition back to a civilian life, and provide new skills and a pathway to employment.

Ford and Spud were the two equine partners that worked in the prison program. In the middle of the year, our dear equine partner Ford passed away. One of the women shared the below letter for all that love and miss Ford.

“Ford Lives On”

Ford will be missed and remembered always with me and many others. He was a bright place in my mind, a place I can look back at when I’m feeling sad, annoyed, lonely, angry and I think about him. He always made my week. He would take the stress and anger right out of me, the minute I would see him and Spud. He was always so sweet and I will always remember when he would show his teeth to smile. I laughed so hard and I felt as if I didn’t have a care in the world.

I know that Ford was needed somewhere else so I won’t mourn for him, I will be happy for him, because I feel like Ford has his wings and is flying high and loving every minute of it. Maybe even giving kids rides now because he can. And I’m sure watching over Spud and still leading him in the right direction.

I will miss you Ford. Fly High.

Our Volunteers

Our farm and programs flourish because of our wonderful volunteers. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals 14 years of age and older. We welcome individuals, corporate and community groups, and vocational volunteers. Come learn what the fun is all about!

Why Volunteer?

According to the Washington Post: Research suggests that volunteers aren’t just helping the communities they serve. People who volunteer actually experience a boost in their mental health — good news at a time when more than a third of Americans report feeling symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Weekly Volunteer Spots:

2023 Volunteers: 131 215

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES @ ENDEAVOR FARM

-Direct support to the participants in different programs at Endeavor

-Work with the horses from grooming, tacking, exercising, and leading in lessons

-Help around the farm and in the barn

-Spend time in the office supporting administrative tasks

-Support special events

Our Herd

In 2023 at Endeavor...

512

1068

52

836 Countless

Mounted Lessons Ground Lessons including equine assisted learning and equine assisted psychothearpy

Volunteer Continued Ed

Training Sessions to keep happy, healthy, and strong Pats of appreciation, kisses, and hugs

www.endeavorth.org

The multifaceted nature of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Activities provides a unique opportunity for students to practice skills critical to success in the classroom and beyond. Embedded within Endeavor’s philosophy as equine-assisted educators is an understanding that all students are different and have unique strengths and areas for growth. Before any school group attends Endeavor, our instructors will discuss goals with the classroom teacher(s) and tailor sessions accordingly. This might mean a shift towards social-emotional learning or opportunities to apply what is being studied in the classroom allowing concepts to come to life through real world applications at the farm.

We have identified 10 characteristics which we use as a foundation upon which we create our EAL curriculum.

H - Horsemanship

O - Ownership & Observation of Self

R - Respect & Resilience

S - Safety & Self-Regulation

E - Engagement & Empathy

S - Self-Esteem

One teacher shared the following with the Endeavor Team:

Endeavor is the only place we can bring our class for a field trip.

Thank you for providing a safe place for our students!!

Equine-Assisted Learning

www.endeavorth.org

2022 REVENUE

Grants

Program Service Fees

Investments and Interest

2022 EXPENSES

Program

Fundraising and Events

2023 ENDEAVOR DONORS

Thank you to all of our supporters!

Individual & Family Support

Sarah & John Abraham

Elizabeth Ades

Andi and Gus Ahrens

Ashley and Fred Allatt

Grania and George Allport

Amanda and Matt Andrews

Rebecca Babcock

Alexandra and Carson Baker

Mabel Balestra

Irwin Baum

Meghan and Alan Bazaar

Daniela Beck

Lisa Beels

Jessica Behm

John Bengis

Joe Bilman

Rachel Birdsall

MF Bissell

Caroline & Billy Black

Emma Bloomberg

Cailtin and John Bourne

Amy Boyle

Jamie Brockett

Dana & Casey Brooks

Harley Brown

Melanie & Peter Brown

James Bruce

Anne Bushnell

Emily & Oliver Bushnell

Catherine & Thomas Butkiwicz

Dory Butler

Nell & Rusty Byrd

Ellen Calves

Kirtley & Seth Cameron

Patty & Skip Carpenter

Alice Cartwright

Emily Chabrier

Daniel & Vanaja Chacko

Nicholas Chen

Franklin Chica

Anne & Jake Citrin

Shannon Comstock

Victoria Conigliaro

Katerina Corroon

Kiersten & Court Crane

Mary & Jeff Cox

Jessica & David Crescenzi

Elizabeth & Wyatt Crowell

Michelle Cruz

Stephanie & Damian Chiulli

Blake Lowry & James Darch

Allison & Constantine Demetracopoulos

Carla Schine & Adam Dener

Kara & Patrick Dennis

Hope & Casey Dorne

Muffin Dowdle

Amy & Ciaran Dunne

Katie & Sherman Durfee

Fanny Eaton

Libby Edwards

Margaret & Christopher Edson

Bailey Eisen

Harvey Eisen

Alys Emson

Alex Esposito

Concetta & Greg Eudicone

Frank Failla, Jr.

Laura Faulkner

Stefanie & Paul Feidelson

Lauren & Todd Feinman

Mary Alice Fish

Emily & Murray Fisher

Jessica & Andrew Fisher

Golda Fleischman

Ralph Fletcher

Abbot Fleur

Margot & Ben Fooshee

Ariel and Doug Frankel

Christine & Herb Foster

Beth Freedman

Gemma Freeman

John & Susie Freund

Peter Freund

Lizzie & Will Gahagan

Chloe & Mikhail Gaiorowski

Leigh Powell Galanis

Tina Galvin

James Anderson & Steven Gambrel

Kiera Ganann

Alexandra Garrity

Jessica & Christopher Gavigan

Kim Gaynor

Frank Geiger

Stephanie Gentile

Richard Germano

Abby & Lloyd Gerry

Daphne & Win Ghriskey

Henry Griskey

Jaclene & Ben Ginnel

Kate & Dan Ginnel

Jim

Becky &

Margot

Jerome

Mary

Josh Kapelman

Marcia & Eddie Katz

Kerri Kazak

Melissa Kemp

Paula & Francis Kennedy

Margaret & Stephen Kennedy

Michelle & Peter Kenny

Ann Kessler

Vanessa Khachane

Elizabeth Kilgallon

Caroline Knadler

Sarah & Rucky Kurita

Karen Kurrash

Jenny & Josh Lahre

Richard Landau

Dorothy & Cliff Lanier

Michele Lauro

Alexandra & Will Lawrence

George Ledes

Hayley Lieberman

Janelle & AJ Lika

Angelina & Monte Lipman

Caroline & Gordon MacGill

Colm & Kara Macmahon

Chelsea Mains

Annie & John Manning

Deanna Marano

Golda & Barry Markman

CC & Matt Marrone

MacKenzie & Forrest Mas

Melissa & Mike Mayer

Louisa & Kevin McCall

Catie & Will McKee

Eliah Seton & James McKeever

Chrstine McKenney

Charles Mele

Anthony Mendez

Jen and Eric Meyers

Amy Miller

Michele Miller

Elisabeth Weed & Matt Mitchell

Denise Moossa

Melissa & Chris Morley

Barbara Morris

Christy Counts & Ben Morton

Merry & Brian Murphy

Isabel & Chris Murphy

Payson & Grant Murray

Erin Callaghan & Michael Nachbar

Susan Namkung

Suzane Nastasi

Louise Nathan

Donna Nelson

Gucci & David Neville

Robert & Carolyn Nielson

Sam & Bryce O’Brien

Stephanie Offit

Allyson & Chris Pachios

Peter Pachios

Alex & Chris Padden

Marina & Gustavo Palazzi

Melinda Papp

Elvira Parravicini

Pasquale DeStefano

Rachel Patino

Magda & Peter Pauley

Tyler Perry

David Peterson

Clark Petschek

Evan Pepper

Silvina Pizzocaro-Rodriguez

Margaret Price

Olivia & Billy Reighley

William Riebe

Martha Riley

Lauren & Brian Ritter

Elizabeth & James Rini

Marie Claude Goyette and Jonathen Rousse

Mackenzie Roussos

Kim & Rich Rosenbaum

Michael Royce

Shari & Robert Ruckh

Natasha & Greg Rutherford

Allison & John Ryan

Char & Dan Ryan

Emma Sainz

Linley & Michael Salem

Meredith & Pete Scala

Christina Schauder

Jeanne Harrington & Chris

Schiermbrock

Marsha Semon

Jennifer Sicard

Pamela Silberman

Amy Singer

Margo & Neil Smith

Robert & Sara Somerville

Pamela & Alan Sorkin

Kassandra Souply

Julie Sproul

Debbie & John Stanley

Michelle & Harry St John

Laura & Dan Stone

Sarah Steinhardt

Alexandria Stewart

Jen Stocker

Christine & Michael Struble

Martin Sullivan

Kathleen Sweeney

Leann Swenson

Susie Taylor

Taylor Taylor

Kirsten Tegtmeier

Tim Tenney

Tyler Tinsworth

Allison & Andrew Todd

Stanley & Susan Trotman

Heather & Matt Trotta

Maya Tunick

Louise Vanni

Jenny Vellano

Melissa & Roger Vincent

Adrienne & Per Von Rosen

Brooke & Jordan Vogel

Emily & Phil Wagenheim

Christine Walsh

Lauren & McLain Ward

Teresa Waterman

Mary & Cam Weir

Megan Weiss

Michael Weiss

Carolina & Tom White

Betsy Whitmore

Kimberly Witherspoon

Cornelia Wittenberg

Matthew Wolf

Cecilia & Ira Wolfson

Brita Gaffey & Adam Wolk

Erin Wolkmar

Max & Brigid Wygod

Elizabeth York

Zan & Matt Young

Wendy Belzberg & Strauss Zelnick

Grants & Foundation Support

Aquinor DIversity Euestrian Foundation

Barbara E Giordano Foundation Inc.

Changing Leads Foundation

County of Westchester

Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust

Equus Foundation, Inc

Goldman Sachs Gives

Holly Peterson Foundation

Impact 100: Westchester

J Field Foundation

Jack Johnson & Armando Charitable Fund

James R Dougherty Jr Foundation

Jewish Communal Fund

Kroll Charitable Foundation

Lincoln Ellsworth Foundation

Milton Tenenbaum Charitable Foundation

National Philharmonic Trust

Oliver Hoffman Foundation

Onera Foundation

PATH International

Phelps Community Foundation

SEI Giving Fund

Sunny & Abe Rosenberg Foundation

The Community Foundation of Eastern CT, Inc.

The Danhakl Family Foundation

The Emma & Georgina Bloomberg Foundation

The Halstatt Charitable Foundation

The Riggio Foundation

The Rose Foundation

The Santomero Family Foundation

The Selene Foundation

Thomas & Agnes Carvel Foundation

Veteran Affairs Adaptive Sports Grant

Vietnam Veterans of America

Westchester Community Foundationt

Business & Community Support

Avant Garden Designs

Bradsell Painting

CEO Stables

Patrick M Croke

Country Lane Farm Inc

Danbury Agway Agriventures

Five Peaks

Hickory and Tweed

Hunter Farms Stable

Ice Cream Emergency

J&B Ginnel Inc

Kathy Abbott Interiors

La Maison Fete

Lawton Adams

LIttle Gem Animal Rescue

Michelle Leasure Physical Therapy

The Clothes Horse

The Horse Connection

The Giving Block

Renaissance Charitable

Ridgebury Capital Group

Southbound Saratoga Management

Spruce Property Management

Stud Muffin

Watermark Equine

Women of St Matthew’s Church

Z Builders

www.endeavorth.org

Charlie Rose Memorial Scholarship: 2023 Donors

Sarah & John Abraham

Ashley & Fred Allatt

Amy Basile

Betty Berelson

Harley Brown

Luci Cedrone

Christine Walsh

Cornelia Wittenberg

Kelly Correia

Carla Schine & Adam Dener

Dina Destefano-Raston

Kerry Filippone

Anne & John Fink

Christine & Herb Foster

Georgette Fusco

Gerard B. Mabert Foundation

Win & Daphne Ghriskey

Sarah Glennon

Armando Gutierrez

Astrid & Robert Harrison

Daniel Hollis III

Jeff & Mary Cox

Florian Jaze

Jill Kay

Keelin & John McCormack

Kimberly Milo

Wayne & Lisa Klein

Diana & Loring Knoblauch

Sarah & Rocky Kurita

Richard Landau

Maria LaRuffa

Maryann Malzone

Donna Marino

Richard McCauley

Patrick McGuinnes

Anna Maria Niceta

Nicole Lowrance

Carolyn & Robert Nielson

Marina & Gustavo Palazzi

Kate & Mike Paletta

Jennifer Pape

Tara Perucci

Craig Rigano

Louise & Leonard Riggio/ The Riggio Foundation

Alessandra & Clayton Rose

Salice Family Foundation

Samantha Saxenmeyer

Tara Schiller

Peter Spiegelman

Mary Summons

Alison Swain

The Mark J & Julie H Jones

Charitable Giving Fund

The Santomero Family Foundation

Tyler Tinsworth

Stacy Troiano

Heather & Matt Trotta

Chris & James Murray

Evenlyn & Beatrice Vincent

Nancy & Roger Vincent

Mary Welsh

Mathew Wolf

Cecilia & Ira Wolfson

Mary Woods

Nancy Woodyard

Thank you for helping us honor Charlie’s generous and caring spirit.

Charlie Rose

In remembrance of Charlie, we are honored to accept donations to The Charlie Rose Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund was established to support any participant that is experiencing financial hardship and is unable to pay for program services.

Scholarships are awarded on a need based criteria. Since 2017, Endeavor has awarded $383,600 in scholarship funds supporting hundreds of Veterans, youth living in residential facilities, children and adults with disabilities, and school groups.

Therapeutic Horsemanship

Endeavor teaches both riding and unmounted horse skills to children and adults in a safe and judgment-free environment that is also empowering and fun. The personalized curriculum of each participant can include mounting, dismounting, steering, transitions, posting, half seat, diagonals, ring figures, leg yields and jumping. On the ground, the participant is able to tend to their horse and experience a stronger bond than riding alone. They learn about horse anatomy, grooming, first aid, healthcare, feeding, watering, leading, and lunging, as well as horse breeds, colors and history. While Endeavor accommodates children of varying levels,goalsetting is a central focus to continue to challenge and inspire participants. Some of the therapeutic benefits we observe are improvements in core strength, fine-motor skills, ability to perform multi-step directions, self-regulation, and confidence in communication with peers. One parent shares her story below.

Q: How long has your child participated at Endeavor?

A: He first participated at Endeavor with his class field trip in 2018. From there, we enrolled him in the therapeutic horsemanship program. We are able to do this with thanks from the scholarship fund.

Q: What would you like to share with us about his time at Endeavor?

A: I am the mother of Niño Aaron, my child has Down Syndrome, with the program that my son receives, in all this time I can see everything he has achieved, the contact with the horses has made him very happy, more independent, more self-confident, I can even say that he speaks more words. I am very grateful for the Endeavor program because they opened the doors for me and gave the necessary attention to my Child. Thank you very much and blessings.

-María

Q: To Aaron’s therapeutic riding instructor – can you share how Aaron has grown with his time at Endeavor?

A: Aaron is a rock star! When he started riding, he would rely on the support of three volunteers to help make his lesson a success. With focus and determination, Aaron now rides with limited support and has strength that lasts through the lesson. He listens and follows directions, he holds his body in proper alignment, and clearly communicates to his horse if he would like to go faster, slower, turn, or whoa and stop.

I could not be more proud of Aaron! And the most beautiful thing is his love, awe, and respect for horses. He has always had a special connection with the horses and it strengthens with every visit to the farm.

Our Team

Emily Bushnell Executive Director

Tamlyn Nathanson Program Director

Laurie Ciavardini Veteran Manager

Sarah-Jane Casey Lead Instructor

Melissa Mayer Volunteer Manager

Jenny Heffer Program Manager

Tara Spennicchia Equine Manager

Lisa Maksimyadis Instructor and Barn Assistant

Rony Espana Facility Manager

Margaret Hall Instructor

Courtney Penachio Instructor

Barbara Carbone Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Our Partners

Andrus

Ardsley School District

Bedford Hills Correctional Facility

Boys and Girls Club

Northern Westchester

Bridgeport International School

Camp Summerset

East Harlem School

Fox Lane Middle School (SAIL)

Greenwich Country Day School

Hillside School

Hospital for Special Surgery

Hour Children

JCCA

Lincoln Hall

Lincoln Hall: Office of Refugee Resettlement

Mount Kisco Library

Osborne

Rippowam Cisqua School

Shrub Oak

Taconic Correctional Facility

VA Bronx: Outpatient

VA Montrose: Homeless, Substance Abuse & Wellness Program

VA Montrose: Nursing Home

VA Montrose: Psychosocial

Rehabilitation & Recovery

VA Montrose: PTSD Unit

Waterside School

Wetschester County Court: Veteran Court

2023 Event Highlights

Endeavor Spring Celebration and Cocktails was a festive evening as over 300 community members sip and strolled around the farm. An event to show gratitude to the many people that helped make the Barn Raising Campaign a smashing success. With special acknowledgement to architect Patrick Croke, builder Robert Zaorski, and landscape designer Betsy Mitchell.

The 6th annual CEO Horse Show was hosted by long time board member, Kate Oliver, at the beautiful CEO Stables in Bedford Hills, NY. The horse was co-chaired by Paula Kennedy and Evan Pepper and supported by our Horse Show Sponsor Agriventures Agway, Hunter Day Sponsor Onera Foundation. Prizes were donated from The Horse Connection and The Clothes Horse, and ice cream and horse treats underwritten by Stud Muffin.

The September Family BBQ was a highlight of our fall. Bringing familiar and new families out to the farm to enjoy Hometown BBQ, music by Good Morning Nags, and beautiful flowers by June Farm Flowers. From mechanical bull and face painting to lawn games, ice cream trucks, Captain Lawrence beverages, and raffle and auction - the afternoon was enjoyed by all. The event was beautifully planned by Mackenzie Mas, Elizabeth Langel, and Alexandra Lawrence.

These annual events raised $265,000 for the programs at Endeavor Farm.

Endeavor partners with local residential facilities which specialize in positive youth development among the most vulnerable adolescent populations. These young men and women face a variety of challenging factors including, but not limited to, poverty, racism, mental health diagnoses, and histories of trauma. The staff at our partnering agencies routinely report measurable progress among participants in the areas of emotional management, ability to process change, and increased positive engagement.

Q: Can you share how Endeavor has helped support your residential youth program?

A: Lincoln Hall’s Family Reunification Program has partnered with Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship for several years, and the weekly groups we participate in have benefited the kids in myriad of ways. The responsibility of providing care to the horses, as well as the opportunity to socialize and physically connect with these majestic, yet docile, animals has provided our kids with an experience they will remember throughout their adolescence and young adulthood. We are so grateful for the continued opportunities provided through Endeavor

Q: We asked an Endeavor staff what are some of the most impactful moments during the at risk youth program?

A: Give the opportunity for peace and quiet creates an incredible foundation for the work we will do together. During one lesson, we took a walk on the trails adjacent to our farm. We saw an enormous hawk fly through the trees, watched the leaves fall to the ground and listened to the wind. We observed how the tallest trees gently sway back-and-forth as the wind blew. This led to a discussion about emotional flexibility, which can allow us to shift perspectives and potentially change our actions when faced with difficult situations.

At-Risk Youth Program

The Veteran and Active Duty Military Program

The Endeavor Veteran Program is the largest program at the farm and supports over 300 veterans each year. All free of charge.

For the past nine years, Endeavor has tailored and thoughtfully grown the Veteran and Active Duty Military Program to meet the need of our local male and female veterans.

Endeavor is proud to offer a variety of programs to personalize the experience for each veteran that comes to the farm.

Endeavor offers the following opportunities for veterans:

· Equine assisted psychotherapy utilizing the Eagala Model

· Therapeutic Riding

· Ground Horsemanship

· Saturday Farm Chores Group

· Virtual Horsemanship

· Vocational Training for equine related employment

· Female Veteran Weekend Retreats

· Male Veteran Weekend Retreats

· Veteran Family Day

All programs for veterans offered at Endeavor utilize a team approach. There is always a mental health specialist with military experience and a certified equine specialist.

Endeavor is both a PATH Intl. Premiere Accredited Center and an Eagala Military Designated Center. We are the only therapeutic horsemanship farm in the United States with these two designations highlighting our commitment to quality, safety, and experience.

The Santomero Family Foundation has been a driving force behind our Veteran and Active Duty Military Program. Board Member, Denise R. Santomero, continues to help grow this program, engage new partners, and create the ideal space for the men and women that have served our country. The Santomero Family Veteran Center at the Endeavor Farm is a private and serene facility that can operate simultaneously with the rest of the farm. The area includes a heated barn, round pen arena, a paddock for equine-assisted psychotherapy, and bucolic nature paths through the fields. The facility has enabled the Veteran Program to grow and flourish.

Tucked away in the private, peaceful Santomero Family Foundation Veteran Center, Endeavor’s nationally-recognized program offers therapeutic horsemanship and equine-assisted psychotherapy to veterans, active-duty military members, and their families free of charge. Participants self report a decrease in anxiety, suicidal thoughts, PTSD symptoms, relapse, self-harm, and paranoia, as well as an increase in mental health management skills, self-empowerment, capacity to overcome fears, improved familial relations, hope, self-regulation, and productive coping mechanisms. Below, one participant shares his experience.

Q: How did you find out about Endeavor?

A: I found out about Endeavor while I was receiving treatment for PTSD at the Montrose VA facility last year. The program was offered to all of the veterans in my unit.

Q: Did anything surprise you about the experience?

A: The equine therapy at Endeavor has literally saved me from myself. The care and love for all the Veterans and the horses is in the air, it’s everywhere. Every word and action is expressed with compassion and love. The Veterans and the horse are safe there. I also know that I am never alone even when not at the farm.

What surprised me, I thought I couldn’t feel any more broken but once I got to the farm I was proven wrong. I found out that guilt and shame had no limits that day. Embarrassed. It was overwhelming.

When I looked into the eyes of the staff that first day something changed. I believe I was in shock. Words were just sounds with no meaning but something got through, I was safe.

Q: Will you recommend equine therapy to others?

A: I would recommend equine therapy to anyone that is dealing with emotional suffering. I’m told it takes courage to confront your demons, I’m not sure if that is true. I do believe if you suffer long enough you will surrender.

Endeavor is a place to surrender and live in the present. Honoring the time I spend with my horse Pelusa and the staff, I live in gratitude.

Veterans

AROUND THE FARM...

SAVE THE DATES

Thursday, May 16th

Endeavor's 10th Anniversary Celebration @ North Hill

Honoring Jaclene Ginnel and Kate Oliver

Co-Chairs: Jessica Gavigan and Cecilia Wolfson

Saturday, June 15 - Sunday, June 16

7th Annual CEO Benefit Horse Show

Co-Chairs: Evan Pepper, Paula Kennedy, and Jessica Creszenzi

Sunday, September 8th

Annual Family BBQ at the Endeavor Farm