Renovations will allow Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association to offer more services to local youth
News release
June 29, 2023 · Saint John, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Canadian cities and towns flourish when we create inclusive, accessible spaces that foster wellness. These amenities are key to promoting a more equitable and inclusive Canada, where everyone is empowered to succeed.
Today, Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John – Rothesay, announced an investment of $82,160 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association (SHTRA). The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
This investment will enhance the Association’s equine therapy program for youth with the addition of a second floor to its existing building to serve as a mental health treatment area. The funding has also enabled the SHTRA to install solar panels that will boost the building's overall energy efficiency and sustainability.
Quotes
“Strong and healthy communities have a positive impact on the economic success of our regions. Investing in organizations like the Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association in Saint John helps provide a place for youth to enhance their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. This project is also helping our government meet its climate change targets and net-zero objectives by 2050.”
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“I’m so pleased that the SHTRA is creating an environmentally friendly space that will further support accessibility to mental health services for youth, while contributing to a stronger community that we will all benefit from for years come.”
- Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John – Rothesay
“Thanks to ACOA's generous contribution, we are on our way to operating more 'green'. Shining Horizons is committed to protecting the environment and our herd, ensuring that participants can benefit from our therapeutic riding and equine assisted therapy programming for generations to come. With ACOA's support, we were able to renovate our office space and install a solar panel system that will not only help us lower our energy bills, but also reduce our reliance on carbon-based energy consumption.”
- Richard DeLang, Executive Director, Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association
Quick facts
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Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association offers therapeutic horse-back riding programs geared towards persons with disabilities.
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The Association was established in 1996 as a result of a Saint John mother seeking an accessible activity for her child with cerebral palsy.
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The CCRF was launched in June 2021 and ended on March 31, 2023. The fund provided $500 million over two years to Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to invest in shared and inclusive public spaces to make them safer, greener and more accessible.
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The Canada Community Revitalization Fund supported two major streams of activity:
- adapting community spaces and assets to be more accessible and inclusive,
- building or improving community spaces to encourage Canadians to engage in and explore their communities and regions.
Associated links
Contacts
Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Emilie Williams
Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Emilie.Williams@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Richard DeLange
Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association
admin@shininghorizons.ca
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