Berkshire HorseWorks Gets Grants to Expand Literacy, Mental Health Programs
RICHMOND, Mass. — Berkshire HorseWorks has received multiple grants to support its literacy and mental health programs, expanding access to its equine-assisted educational initiatives for children from underserved communities.
The nonprofit secured a $2,500 grant from The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation to fund scholarships for third- through eighth-grade students with learning disabilities to participate in the Horse Powered Reading (HPR) program. This initiative incorporates horses in ground-based activities to strengthen five key reading skills—phonetic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension—while also funding staffing and care for the therapy herd.
In addition, Berkshire HorseWorks received three grants from the Berkshire Taconic Foundation. The Central Berkshire Fund awarded $5,000, and the William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund contributed $9,000 to support enrollment in the Ranch Life 101 summer program, which helps children develop emotional intelligence, regulation, and interpersonal skills. These funds will provide full scholarships for children from multiple towns across Berkshire County. The Greylock ABC Fund granted $7,500 to ensure that 25 students from Reid Middle School, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, can access the Horse Powered Reading program.
“These funds come at a critical time for children in our community facing academic and social-emotional challenges,” said Hayley Sumner, founder and executive director of Berkshire HorseWorks. “Our herd of rescued equines helps bridge the gap in learning, ensuring that no one is left behind because of how they process information.”
Berkshire HorseWorks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has provided equine-assisted psychotherapy, learning, and team-building programs for over a decade. Recently, the organization expanded into education with the introduction of Horse Powered Reading and Math curriculums. Its programs serve at-risk youth, veterans, families, and other vulnerable populations across the Berkshires and New England, funded through grants, donations, and corporate team-building initiatives.
