Berkshire HorseWork Obtains Nonprofit Status

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RICHMOND, Mass. — In an effort to provide EAGALA Model Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to a greater number of those in need in Berkshire County and neighboring cities, Berkshire HorseWorks has secured its nonprofit 501(C)3 designation.

Hayley Sumner, founder and executive director, first launched the organization in 2013 as a for-profit entity. Since its inception, BHW has been treating at-risk youth, veterans, families, individuals and couples with a broad range of challenges including anxiety, PTSD, bullying and eating disorders. BHW, in sessions with clients, uses rescue horses that are either retired from racing, injured, traumatized or otherwise handicapped.

In addition, BHW partners with local and national organizations to strengthen their workforces through team building and personal wellness initiatives. Clients have included Hillcrest Educational Center, Pittsfield Juvenile Resource Center, the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office and Fox Sports Network, among others.

Sessions take place on the ground (no riding), are facilitated by both a licensed mental health professional and a qualified equine specialist, are solution-focused and follow a stringent code of ethics.  BHW has been practicing this model in the Berkshires for more than a year, and with its newly designated nonprofit status, has gained the ability to reach a broader demographic through fundraising and grant initiatives, including tax-deductible donations.

BHW is located in a 27-acre compound in Richmond comprising the Berkshire Equestrian Center, hiking trails, outdoor paddocks, historic barns, state of the art jumping facilities, the Inn at Richmond, and a wellness center. For more information,  visit www.berkshirehorseworks.com or call Hayley Sumner at 310-488-9777.
 

 

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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

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