Endeavor Annual Report: 2022

Dear Friends,

Endeavor is a life enhancing and empowering place for so many. Veterans; Residential Youth; Children with Disabilities. Our programs and interventions offer opportunities to grow, strengthen, learn, and heal. If you are reading this report you are part of our community. Thank you. Thank you for believing in our mission.

2022 was a monumental year. Our indoor arena is nearly complete, our programs are at capacity, and we are rolling out new offerings in 2023 to further support those in need. Moving forward, thanks to our indoor arena, we will be offering services year-round to a greater number of individuals.

This is the first time we have compiled an annual report. We hope you enjoy reading about the work at Endeavor and perhaps will learn something new about the programs at the farm. As always, we welcome you to the farm to see our programs in action.

We are honored to lead this organization and watch it grow. None of the accomplishments you will read about here could happen without the support of our volunteers and our donors. We are proud of the mission, how Endeavor is helping so many, and how bright the future will be.

With our deepest gratitude, Emily & Jaclene

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jaclene Ginnel President

Payson Murray Vice President

Alan Sorkin Treasurer Margot Fooshee Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS

Ashley Allatt Caroline Black Dana Brooks

Emily Bushnell Jeff Cox

Laura Faulkner, VMD Alex Hamer

Marina Niceta de Palazzi

Robert Nielsen Kate Oliver Allyosn Pachios Allison Ryan Denise Santomero

Cecilia Wolfson

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 partnerships with the horse. The equine-assisted Services industry partnerd with horses and certified professionals to benefit people with various needs. Endeavor offers five programs which are detailed in this report. Endeavor has a herd of 13 horses, and relies on 100 volunteers.

A recreational-based program for individuals with disabilities. This program combines horse husbandry and riding to address social, emotional, physical, and cognitive goals while teaching equine related activities.

Endeavor has served over 500 individuals to date.

Geared towards positive youth development through horsemanship. Participants are full- time residents at 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 voluntarily separated from their families, court appointed separations, children refugees, and children whose primary caregiver is incarcerated.

Endeavor has served 2,250 youth to date.

This program supports recreational and clinical goals of Veterans.

Through the program at Endeavor, Veterans self 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.

Endeavor has served over 1,000 Veterans to date.

And, We Travel! The STX Van...

With thanks to Phelps Community Foundation, Endeavor received a grant to purchase an 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.

Outcomes

In collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Endeavor created ETHOS (the Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship Outcomes Scale). This scale is used in each of our programs at Endeavor. The instructor/ clinician completes a pre and post measurement for each session. The scale measures: expressive communication, receptive communication, vestibular tolerance, arousal level, pelvic control, postural control, behavior, confidence, and safety awareness.

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.

We have identified 10 characteristics used 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

Endeavor has worked with over 500 students to date.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an experiential process in which a licensed mental health professional works with equines to address personal therapy goals.

Physical Therapists at Endeavor utilize the unique multidimensional movement of the horse to facilitate changes in the participants. The movement is rhythmic and repetitive in nature, thus providing a dynamic base of support, making it an excellent tool for increasing trunk control and strength, balance, postural control and endurance, as well as weight bearing and motor planning.

Occupational Therapists use equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes. Strength, muscle coordination and sensory processing used for walking, talking, and the use of fine motor skills for activities of daily living and general attention to tasks have all been shown to be positively impacted by equine movement. In addition, increased motivation and participation in treatment and social emotional benefits have been reported.

Endeavor clinicians have served over 400 clients to date.

Residential Youth

Therapeutic Horsemanship

Veteran & Active Duty Military

Equine - Assisted Learning Clinical Services

Endeavor’s clinical specialists are licensed and trained to offer equine-assisted psychotherapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an individualized experiential process wherein a mental health professional works to address a client’s personal therapy goals with the horses. Physical therapists at Endeavor utilize the unique multidimensional movement of the horse to facilitate changes in trunk control, strength, balance, postural control, endurance, and motor-planning, as well as many other functional outcomes, in the participants. Occupational therapists at Endeavor use purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote muscle coordination and sensory processing needed for walking, talking, fine motor skills, and general attention to tasks. Increased motivation, participation, and social-emotional benefits have all been reported as additional benefits. Below, a few testimonials from parents of Endeavor’s clinical participants.

“My son has been in therapy for years, and we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways that challenge, support and encourage him. Endeavor has been exactly that. On the horse, Nicolas can feel exactly what it is like to walk, and it is his only opportunity to have that first-hand experience. The knowledge and expertise of the therapists ensure the proper positioning, [all while] attending to the other therapeutic goals we have established. This addition of other supports while he is riding is what sets our experience apart. Nicolas can work on his speech goals, telling his horse to “go” and “stop”, while strengthening all the muscles in his body, an experience he does not have anywhere else. Nicolas has made meaningful connections with his horses, knowing he is safe with them, which in turn allows him to take risks. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be at the farm each week and give our son a fun, yet essential, experience to help him grow and develop.”

“What we love about coming to Endeavor for hippotherapy is that it doesn’t feel like therapy at all. Jonah happily comes to the farm—he giggles throughout and connects with Melissa and his horse, and all the other kind people who facilitate his session. He has gained so much strength and flexibility in the process, and he’s completely unaware of how much work he’s putting in.”

“Lydia has benefited physically and emotionally from her time at Endeavor. It is the highlight of her week, and she is all smiles as soon as she arrives. She loves the horses and the staff and just has so much fun. Lydia is starting to walk with a walker and has shown such progress over the last year.

[We know] it is largely due to her time at Endeavor.”

Clinical Programs

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.

Every year, Endeavor partners with local schools and districts to offer educational programs in the sensory-rich environment of the farm. The instructors partner with teachers to create lesson plans that complement the learning objectives in the classroom, while addressing therapeutic needs where possible.

Here’s one teacher’s take.

Q: Does one moment stand out to you where a student was significantly impacted by their visit to Endeavor?

A: My student, Juan, was brushing the horse and felt such a connection to her that he rubbed his face against the horse’s side and hugged her. He had such a look of peacefulness.

Q: How is the transition from the classroom to the farm?

A: Our students really feel connected to the horse and the staff. They listen and are comfortable taking direction from everyone here.

Q: How do they respond to the curriculum?

A: Our students are always excited to come to Endeavor. They look forward to working with the horses and enjoy the jobs that Jenny assigns them, such as folding laundry, preparing snacks for the horses, brushing and rubbing the horses down. They even like mucking the stalls!

Equine-Assisted Learning

ASSETS

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and Cash Equivalents $805,131

Cash and Cash Equivalents $805,131

Contributions and Other Receivables $5,660 Prepaid Expenses $7,652 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS $818,443

Property and Equipment- Net $128,664

Property and Equipment- Net $128,664

OTHER ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS

Projecting to be complete in early 2023, the Barn Raising Campaign will fund the full construction of the indoor arena and viewing room along with a solar panel array on the roof. Functional, minimal, and environmentally friendly, this new structure will transform the operations at Endeavor. Enabling us to both increase our capacity by 3x and offer year-round program independent of the weather. The grounds around the indoor arena will be utilized to better serve our programs and will include a sensory trail, meditative remembrance garden, and a produce garden. Thank you to all of our Barn Raising Supporters!

Gus & Andi Ahrens

Albano Appliance

Peter Allatt & Tantivy Gubelman

Fred & Ashley Allatt

The Ted Arison Family Foundation

George & Grania Allport Matt & Amanda Andrews

Larkin Armstrong James Attwood & Leslie Williams

Mabel & Frederico Balestra Bedford Armonk Rotary Bedford Village Chowder & Marching

Skip & Michaela Beitzel

Rhodes Bell

Caroline & David Berley Paul & Amy Parsons Bill & Caroline Black

The Emma & Georgina Bloomberg Foundation

Kate Bostock & Jesse Shefferman Anne Louise Bostock Jeff Bowen Erik & Amy Boyle

Tony & Camille Branca

Damon & Kelly Branco Jaques & Maria Brand

Patricia & Michael Minskoff Breede

Christina Bresani & Michael Struble Shelli Breidenbach & Michael Flood

Casey & Dana Brooks Harley Brown Melanie Brown Moira Burnham

Emily & Oliver Bushnell

Arlene & Curtis Butler

Nell & Rusty Byrd Keri Cameron Kristen Carollo Will Carrillo

Joan & Robert Catell Justin Chandler Conor Chapman Matthew & Veronica Chiavaroli Tara Chikites Brian & Allison Choi Kelley & Cory Corrigan

Christy Counts & Ben Morton

Jeff and Mary Cox Elizabeth & Wyatt Crowell

Wendy & Robert Cushman

The Danhakl Family Foundation Olivia Davis

Kristy De La Sierra Anni De Saint Phalle

Alexandra Demong Patrick & Kara Dennis

The Dinan Family Foundation Casey & Hope Dorne Muffin Dowdle Will Duncan Jenny Dunion Ciaran and Amy Dunne Harvey & Andrea Eisen Alys Emson

Robyn & John Esposito Greg & Concetta Eudicone Courtney Evans Vincent & Gretchen Farrell Henry & Kate Faulkner Laura Faulkner Serena Norr & Lonnie Feldman Evan Ferraro John & Anne Fink Murray & Emily Fisher Oliver Fishlin

Margot & Ben Fooshee Christine & Herb Foster Foundation 2.0 Gemma Freeman Susie & John Freund

Aimee Telsey & Richard Friesner

Georgette Fusco William & Elizabeth Gahagan Carole Garcia

Andrew & Heather Georges Lloyd & Abby Gerry Daphne & Win Ghriskey

Benjamin & Jaclene Ginnel Kate & Dan Ginnel

James & Deirdre Glascott

David & Becky Gochman

Margot Goldberg

The Goldstein Family Foundation Mary Cameron Goodyear Johnatha & Lester Gorin Harry & Emily Grand John & Andrea Greathouse

David & Caroline Grubb Alec & Christy Guettel

Zachary & Toby Gut Amy Hahn

Jane & Tim Hall Alex Hamer Kimberly Handler

Benjamin & Laura Harris

Sara & William Haydock

Kim Hayes

Stefanie & Warren Haynes

Allison & Colin Heilman

Peter & Lisa Hennessy

Sheree & Marc Holliday

Harold & Kate Hope Emily & John Hyland Charles Jacobs

Wendy Janesky

John McCormack Bloodstock

Elizabeth Johnson Lindsey & Freddy Jones Mark & Julie Jones

Rob Jones

Paula Kennedy & Francis Harrigan

Jennifer Bonheur & Flavio Kaments

Maggie & Stephen Kennedy John & Elizabeth Kilgallon

Vanessa King

Anna Kolchinsky

Lois & Kristie Kral

Josh & Jenny Lahre

Liz & James Langel

Chante Lamont-Owen

Richard & Faith Landau

Liz and James Rini

Dorothy & Cliff Lanier

Alex & Will Lawrence Ann & Dennis Leary

A.J. & Janelle Lika

Monte & Angelina Lipman

Blakely Lowry & James Darch

Elizabeth & Stephen Lyster

Natalie & Grey Lyster

Gordon & Caroline Macgill Maryann Malzone

Michael & Melissa Mayer Susan Mcintyre Will & Katie Mckee

Parker & Lane Mckee

Robert & Leanne McMenamin

Clive Meanwell & Dominique Bludhorn Gerardo & Melissa Mendez

Jen & Eric Meyers

Matt & Elisabeth Mitchell

Libby Monaco

Montross Family Fund

Isabel Lerer & Jordan Muraskin

Harry Mitchell Birthday Fundraiser

Denise Moossa

Kim & John Morris

Chris & Isabel Murphy

Payson & Grant Murray

David Neville & Gucci Westman

Allison Newell & Constantine

Demetracopoulos

Anna Maria Niceta De Palazzi

Joe Nicholson

Bob & Carolyn Nielsen

Ted & Nancy Nygreen

Dan & Diane O’Callaghan

Ned & Amanda Offit

Allyson & Chris Pachios

Poe Paolina Azcarraga

Melinda Papp Path International

Kevin & Torie Pearce

Tyler and Schuyler Perry

David Gordon & Marisha Pessl

Olivia & Joe Peters

David Peterson & Evan Pepper

Caroline Petrine

Kevin and Patricia Pfiester

Erin Pritzker

Michael Pruzan

Stanley & Barbara Prymas

Stephen & Ashley Prymas Curt Ramsey

Joann Richter

Michael & Marcy Riley Brian & Lauren Ritter

Rood ‘n Riddle Erica Rosen

Dan & Char Ryan John & Allison Ryan Harriet Saltzman

Susan Sansbury

The Santomero Family Foundation

Steve & Kathy Sasloe

Pete & Meredith Scala Carla Schine

Marcus Schult

Donna & Marvin Schwartz

Sarah & Adam Schwarzchild

Kate & Peter Sheehan

Julie Sproul

Michael & Christina Struble Trish Weber

Maddie Weber

Marvin & Donna Schwartz

Sarah & Adam Schwarzschild

John & Hadley Scully

Jennifer & Martin Seidel

Kimberly Silva

Joshua & Sara Slocum

Charitable Trust

Neil & Margo Smith

Robert & Sara Somerville

Alan & Pam Sorkin

Jennifer Speisman

Harry & Michelle St. John Kyle Stevens

Martin & Antoinette Sullivan John & Adele Talty

Julie & Kip Testwuide Tyler Tinsworth Charles & Barbara Tisi

Conor & Katherine Tochilin Lisa Torell

Molly Tracy

Stanley & Susan Trotman

Matt & Heather Trotta

Jason Van Itallie

Effie & Beatrice Vincent Ric Waldman

Peter & Francine Walker

Teal Walker

Teresa Waterman

Susan & Martin Wayne

The Weber Family

The Wedell Foundation

Elisabeth Weed & Matt Mitchell

Michael Weiss

Tom & Carolina White

Libby & Cutler Whitman

Kimberly Witherspoon

Ira & Cecilia Wolfson

Max & Brigid Wygod

Matt & Alexandra Young

John Yozell

Andy Yu & Evan Goldstein

Zelnick Belzberg Charitable Trust

Zicherman Family Foundation

Richard & Audrey Zinman

Endeavor broke ground on the indoor arena in June of 2022.

Individual & Family Support

Sarah & Jonathan Abraham

Elizabeth Ades

Gus & Andrea Ahrens

Frederic & Ashley Allatt

Matt & Amanda Andrews

Lisa Aristippo

Susan Aybar

John Baitsell Jr.

Marilyn and John Barrett

Brooke Baxter

Alan & Meghan Bazaar

Jessica Behm

Skip & Michaela Beitzel

Joe Bilman

Caroline & William Black

Richard Bossi

Lila Bostwick

Caitlin Bourne

Erik & Amy Boyle

Kelly & Damon Branco

Aimee Brennan

Molly & Russ Breuer

Casey & Dana Brooks

Melanie & Peter Brown

Moira Burnham

Brendan Buschman

Emily & Oliver Bushnell

Jessica Capshaw & Christopher Gavigan

Sarah-Jane & Frank Casey

Allison & Brian Choi

Nicholas Cianciola

Laurie Ciavardini-Francher

Danielle Yacko & Matthew Cocuzzo

Caren Cohen

Mackenzie Condon

Kelley & Cory Corrigan

Jeff & Mary Cox

Alix Cross

Wyatt & Elizabeth Crowell

Craig Culver

Thomas Darby

Ann Dastoliitf

Patrick & Kara Dennis

Muffin Dowdle

Elena & Robin Eagleton

John & Olivia Farr

Laura Faulkner

Tracy Fauver

Todd & Lauren Feinman

Maryalice Fish

Jessica Fisher

Melissa & Gregory Fleming

Margot & Ben Fooshee

Anthony & Joan Freund

Peter Freund

Georgette Fusco

Katherine & Daniel Boulud

Lizzie & Will Gahagan

Kiera Ganann

Chloe & Michail Gasiorowski

Pauline & Sergio Gemo

Debbie Gentilello

Cosby George Rachel Gerli

Kaori Germano

Abby & Lloyd Gerry

Jaclene & Benjamin Ginnel

Virginia Giordano

Polly Goodyear

Carolyn Guard

Philip & Mary Gullo

Jessica Halfnight

Kimberly Handler

Paula Kennedy & Francis Harrigan

Laura & Ben Harris

Sara & Willy Haydock

Lindsay Hearon

Jennifer & Douglas Heffer

Allison Heilman

Kathryn Heintz

Kathryn Hertzmark

Julie Hoover

Emily & John Hyland

Jennifer Indig

Sarah Jacobs

The Jamison Family

Florian Jaze

Melissa & Alex Jarzynski

Julia Johnson

James Johnston

Rob Jones

Timothy & Margaret Joyce

Joshua and Emily Kapelman

Brendan Keegean

Ann C. Kessler

Simeon & Sally Ketchum

John & Elizabeth Kilgallon

Katie Knight

Michael Korda

Patricia Kraft

Johanna Kremberg

Rachel Krompinger

Phyllis Kurfist

Rocky & Sarah Kurita

Deon Kwarula

Jenny & Joshua Lahre

Chante Lamont-Owen

Richard Landau

Liz & James Langel

Cliff & Dorothy Lanier

Robin Lesser-Simon

Janelle Lika

Blakely Lowry & James Darch

Laela Lunt

Caroline & Gordon MacGill

Brian & Nicole Machale

Kara & Colm MacMahon

Louise Macy

Deanna Marano

Mackenzie and Forrest Mas

Virginia Maybank

Melissa & Mike Mayer

Melissa & Gerardo Mendez

Elisabeth & Matthew Mitchell

Allyson Montana

Melissa & Chris Morley

Christy Counts & Ben Morton

Isabel & Michael Murphy

Payson & Grant Murrary

Todd Mydland

Anna Maria Niceta

Caroline & Robert Nielsen

Eileen O’Rourke

Daniel & Stefanie Offit

Christopher & Allyson Pachios

Alex Padden

Edwin Payne

Andres Perez-Benzo

David Peterson & Evan Pepper

Clark Petschek

Erika Pierce

Silvina Pizzocaro-Rodriguez

Leigh Powell Galanis

Margaret Price

Jeremy & Jesse Randol

Rocio Raventos

Susan Reeder

Olivia Reighley

Jana Rideout

Lauren & Brian Ritter

Nicki Rose

Michael & Pricillia Rossi

Natasha & Greg Rutherford

Allison & John Ryan

Charlene Ryan

Linley & Michael Salem

Rachel Sanderson

Susan Sansbury

The Santomero Family

Meredith & Pete Scala

Rena Schine

John & Hadley Scully

Jennifer & Martin Seidel

Eliah Seton

Kenneth and Lynne Shulman

Jennifer Sicard

Anna Siegel

Christine Sloben

David & Melissa Smith

Lisa Soja

Pamela & Alan Sorkin

Tom St. John

Michelle & Harry St. John Deborah &John Stanley

Joseph & Patricia Steccato

E. Alexandria Stewart

John Stoffel

Pamela Stoleru

Christina & Michael Struble Anne Sumers

Natasha Tarasov

Taylor Taylor

Julie & Kip Testwuide

Tyler Tinsworth

Kate & Connor Tochilin

Andrew & Allison Todd Geraldine Tortorella

Stacy Troiano Heather & Matt Trotta

Robert & Kristen Vallejo

Kim & Chris Vanni

Daphne & Zachary Viders

Nancy Whitworth & Roger Vincent Erin Volkmar

Emily Wagenheim

John & Regina Walsh

Lara Ward

Lauren & McLain Ward

Elaine Wasserman

Teresa Waterman

Latraviota Wells Gucci Westman Carolina & Tom White

Melissa Whitworth

Chelsea Wilkinson

Kimberly Witherspoon

Ira & Cecilia Wolfson

Rodney Woodruff Zan & Matt Young

Grants & Foundation Support

Altman Kazickas Foundation

Andrew K Dwyer Foundation

Arthur J Foundation

Autism Speaks: Norma and Malcom Baker Recreation Grant

Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club

The Emma & Georgina Bloomberg Foundation Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation

Equus Foundation, Inc

Kroll Foundation

Milton Tenenbaum

Charitable Foundation

Path International

Philip and Mary Gullo

Family Foundation

The Peckham Family Foundation

The Santomero Family Foundation

The Virginia Giordano Foundation

Thomas & Agnes Carvel Foundation

Three Sibs Foundation, Inc.

VA Adaptive Sports Grant

Business & Community Support

AmeriVet

Annaly Capital Management, Inc.

Anondo Fund Inc.

Bedford Armonk Rotary

Christmas Tree Project Bedford Police Benevolent Association

Bexley Farm

Jamie Cassano

Country Lane Farm Inc Danbury Agway

Dunbarton Equine

Espoir Equestrian Ginnel Real Estate

Grand Prix Equine LLC

Hickory & Tweed

The Horse Connection

IBM La Maison Fete

Maarten Huygens Horses Sales Inc.

Mastercard Impact

McLain Ward, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Matching Grant

Network for Good

NorthEast Property Management

OMPT Cash Company LLC

Onera Media Inc.

Price Waterhouse

Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company

Renaissance Charitable Riverside Farm

Rosemary Ganser

Southbound Saratoga Mgmt.

Watermark Equine

Westchester County Business First William Green and Associates

Women of St. Matthew’s Church

Charlie Rose Memorial Scholarship: 2022 Donors

Meredith Abt

American Endowment Fndt.

Pamela Angotti

Maria Aspiazu

Ruth Auchincloss O’Neill

Anita Bae

Amy Basile

Cameron Bell

Gabriel Berkowitz

Robert & Helene Beyer

Lisa Bradlow

Philip Bricknell

John Burke

Emily & Oliver Bushnell

Anne Bruce

Shawn Carmody

Luci Cedrone

Stephanie Ceruolo

Andrea Colao

Kelly Correia

Jeff & Mary Cox

Mark Cox

Tori Cox

Rebecca Crespi

Crisp Family Fndt.

Cro-Partners Inc

Anne Della Penna

Clark Delp

Ted Desmarais

Patrick Dillon

Sabina Di Yorio

Jennifer Drapala

Sean Dweck

John Ebner

Robert Elder

Aisha Elliott

Heather Feldman

Kerry Filippone

Tania Foley

Maryann Ford

Brooke Frewing

Georgette Fusco

Zoe Gerchick

Suzanne & Peter Glaser

Karen Golden

Lisa Grey Tira Grey Lisa Herman Eileen Hickey

Jeanne Higgins Bergin

Kristina Hooper

Mark K. & Julie H. Jones

Charitable Giving Fund

JP Morgan Charitable Giving Fund

Elizabeth Kemp Sherry Kerrigan Farhana Khera

Paul & Phyllis Knollmeyer

Susan LaColla

Gerard B. Lambert Foundation

Alyson Landers

Gina LeDone

Monica Leland Henry Lopez Nicole Maestas

Maggio Family

Maura Mahoney Donna Marino Jennifer Monti Chris & Jim Murray

Susan Namkung Torch Karsten Nelson

Northern Trust

Charitable Giving Program

Sarah O’Malley

Barbara & Dan Omohundro

Amy Oringel

Sherri Owles

Peggy and Pat Patalino

Stephanie Perell

Sarah Persily

William Rios Alessandra & Clayton Rose

Abriel Rose

Harry Rose

Susan Scharf

Tara Schiller

Ifat Shelon

Jane Silfen

Jean Smith

Kassandra Souply

Randi Sperber

Julie Sproul

Starfish TLC Fund

Elisa Stein

Kay Stocke

Bill and Katita Strathmann

Lisa Trauzzi

Heather & Matt Trotta

Alison Upright

Maureen Vincent

Sally & Christian Voss

Elizabeth Wallace

Marianne Walsh

Lexi Wierdsma

Mary Woods Diana Yin

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 $278,915 in scholarship funds supporting hundreds of Veterans, youth living in residential facilities, children and adults with disabilities, and school groups.

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

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, goal-setting 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: We’ve been riding here for almost three years. My daughter has been in OT and PT since she was eighteen months old to address needs that stem from a diagnosis of low muscle-tone in her core and legs. Our doctors always told us to try riding, but that wasn’t an option in the city!

Q: Have you seen improvements since she began?

A: Across the board. Until your child struggles with core strength, you have no concept of how critical core function is to daily life, especially for children. Prior to Endeavor, it was difficult and near impossible for her to play with friends at recess or even sit at her desk for longer periods of time. All of this impacted her social and academic confidence. Now, she can half-seat and use the swings at school and stay seated and focused in class. Most importantly, she loves her sessions and wants to keep challenging herself and improving.

Q: How does she respond to the combination of mounted and unmounted lessons?

A: It’s a perfect pairing. The riding is thrilling and physically challenging and rewarding, but her unmounted time only deepens the whole experience for her. Her tasks in the barn, her time with Ford, her endless questions for the farrier, all of it serves to increase her understanding of farm life and make her feel like a valued part of its horse and human community.

Q: What has surprised you the most about the Endeavor experience?

A: It’s pretty awesome to see my girl–who at two years old was walking around Brooklyn playgrounds on her knees because she lacked the strength to stand on her feet–post for minutes at a time in the ring. But, more meaningfully, she is proud of herself here–not just for what she accomplishes but for who she is. The world isn’t always built for people with physical and sensory needs. It’s so much better than it was, but even with a child who most wouldn’t assume struggles the way she does, regular life can be big and loud and challenging. I’m so grateful that we found Endeavor when we did, as she is starting to move from early childhood to more complex and demanding older years. Endeavor has given her a safe space to try hard things, meet new people, help animals, have jobs and grow and learn from all of it. She’s already counting the years until she can volunteer on her own!

Our Team

Emily Bushnell

Melissa Jarzynski, MSPT, HPCS

Danielle Yacko

Sarah Jane Casey

Jenny Heffer

Tamlyn Nathanson

Laurie Ciavardini, LCSW-R

Courtney Penachio

Tara Spennicchia

Emily Nathan Margaret Hall

Olivia Peters

Exeuctive Director

Clinical Director

Program Director

Lead Instructor

Instructor

Instructor & Special Projects

Veteran Coordinator

Equine Coordinator

Equine Coordinator

Volunteer Coordinator

Instructor Development

Our Partners

Andrus

Ardsley School District

Barbara Carbone, MA LCSW

Camp Summerset

Laurie Ciavardini, LCSW-R

Dyson College Inst. for Sustainability and the Arts

Foxlane Middle School

Greenwich Country Day Happy Trotters Physical Therapy

Hillside School

Hospital for Special Surgery

Hour Children

JCCA

Lincoln Hall

Lincoln Hall: Office of Refugee Resettlement Mercy College

Mt Kisco Library

Osborne

PACE University

Play and Motion

Occupational Therapy

Rippowam Cisqua School

Roosevelt High School Shrub Oak

VA Bronx: Outpatient

VA Montrose: Homeless, Substance Abuse & Wellness Programs

VA Montrose: Nursing & Psychiatric

VA Montrose: PTSD Unit Waterside School

West Patent School

Westchester County Court: Veteran Court

2022 Event Highlights

The American Soldier visited Bedford at Historical Hall. Douglas Taurel was powerful in his critically acclaimed production. A master story-teller, he gave a glimpse of soldiers stories from the American Revolution to current conflicts. All proceeds from the event supported the Veteran and Active Duty Military Program at Endeavor. Thank you to Ladle of Love, Siemers Wine & Spirits, Captain Lawrence, Jeff Carpenter, and Bedford Historical Society for making this evening a wonderful success.

The 5th annual CEO Horse Show hosted by long time board member, Kate Oliver, at the beautiful CEO Stables in Bedford Hills, NY. The two day show featuring a $3,500 Hunter Derby and $5,000 Jumper Derby showcased fabulous riding and friendly competition. Huge thank you to our sponsors Danbury Agway, Hickory and Tweed, Dunbarton Equine, Riverside Farm, Espoir Equestrian, Maarten Huygens Horse Sales, and Onera Media.

The Barn Raising Campaign kicked off in Wellington, FL at a cocktail party hosted by long time board member, Alex Hamer. Then, to Bedford, NY where Emily and Oliver Bushnell hosted a benefit dinner with special guest DJMadMarg. And finishing up in Lexington, KY where Katherine Sheehan and Maegan Ford honored the Veterans in the Endeavor Program with bluegrass and an auction of famous halters.

The September Family BBQ was a little wet but our wonderful community rallied around the celebration and the day was a beautiful success. Co-chairs Lizzie Gahagan, Lauren Ritter, and Michelle St John planned a day full of delicious fare from Hometown BBQ, live music, and activities for children of all ages.

Seasonal Community Events sprinkled throughout the year include lemonade stands, a BRLA hike, a Summer Sprinkler Party, Bingo, and our Annual Tag Sale. Thank you to all our friends that made each event a special day at Endeavor.

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. Here, one such case worker from The ORR Program at Lincoln Hall, a facility that supports youth who have been separated from their families at the border, provides her feedback.

Q: Has there been one stand-out participant experience at Endeavor that was especially impactful?

A: Yes! One resident, Zoe, had worsening anxiety since his journey to the US–coupled with the stressors of being in a residential program. It was evident in therapy that he wanted to cope, but didn’t know how. At Endeavor, he learned that his anxiety stemmed from his impatience and self-doubt. The horses–especially the stubborn ones!-taught him to overcome these challenges. As the weeks passed, we all noticed a huge change in his way of thinking and how he carried himself, even in previously stressful situations. He said it himself best when he told us, “Who knew horses could help my mental health?!”

Q: How has being at the farm and on the trails resonated with your residents?

A: It’s a safe space where they can forget the past, present, and future and just focus on themselves. Most importantly, it’s time for them to focus on themselves, something they don’t get to experience often.

Q: How have the horses at Endeavor impacted your residents?

A: Many of them are from Latin America, where some horses can be mistreated or abandoned. It’s so helpful to the minors to see them here providing these therapeutic services. They connect with the horses and come back calmer and more relaxed and talking about [the horses’] different personalities.

Q: What about the instructors and volunteers?

A: They’ve been great! The minors say nothing but nice things about their instructors. They don’t feel discriminated against due to their backgrounds or language barrier–which is very important to them. And us! All of us here appreciate the dedication, patience, and care you show our kids!

Residential Youth Program

2022 Facility Highlights The Santomero Veteran Center

In June, Endeavor broke ground on our indoor arena. The new facility will enable Endeavor to operate year-round. Immediately increasing our enrollment by 65% and tripling our enrollment over the next three years. The indoor will be fully enclosed and insulated with an air conditioned and heated viewing room. The roof will be complete with solar panels which will feed the local grid as a community solar asset. Functional, environmentally-friendly, and minimalist: the indoor arena will transform Endeavor.

In Kind Partners:

AmeriVet NorthEast Property Management

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: A friend from the Veterans Administration at Montrose brought me to one of the program’s Equine Therapy Days, and I loved it! Though, when I arrived at the facility, I had no idea my life was going to change for the better.

Q: How so?

A: I’ll say this–I got so emotional during my session that it was hard to talk. Interacting with the horses–being so accepted by them regardless of my past–taught me that what we’ve done doesn’t define us. Who we are can only be viewed in the present moment–and we’re all able to receive unconditional love. I walked away feeling like I had put my past behind me.

Q: Did anything surprise you about the experience?

A: [That] it was the horses who helped me break the chains of my past. By allowing me to connect with them and earning their trust, those horses showed me that I have the keys to the internal prison I’ve locked myself in.

Q: Will you recommend equine therapy to others?

A: Absolutely. I want to volunteer. I want to revisit the experience. I want to help out in any way I can. I want more veterans to see what I saw and to experience what I did. Thank you for doing what you do. It healed me. You are all healers on the highest level.

-A Veteran from VA Montrose’s Homeless, Substance Abuse and Wellness Program

Endeavor is incorporating three new programs in the 2023 Calendar year:

Endeavor will be offering a new vocational component to our Veteran Program. Through our training with GroomElite, Endeavor will be offering year round training and assistance with job placement for Veterans seeking employment in the thoroughbred industry. Scheduled to start March 2023.

Through a new partnership with the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and the Taconic Correctional Facility endeavor will be offering weekly equine-assisted services at each of the locations.

Scheduled to start April of 2023.

Endeavor will offer Corporate Retreats through our equine-assisted learning program. Endeavor ran a pilot retreat with Blackstone in fall of 2022 and due to its success we will be offering a limited number of paid retreat dates during the summer of 2023.