Each year, the City of Kamloops issues a call for proposals for registered charities and non-profit agencies in our community to apply for Social and Community Development Grants, which are intended to fund special projects, operational costs, and/or capital expenditures that address specific current social problems and/or issues related to the City’s Social Plan or the Livability and Sustainability pillar of the Council Strategic Plan.
Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association received a $15,000 Social and Community Development Grant in 2024. This is how the grant was used:
Submitted by the Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association:
Program funding has profoundly benefited the community by ensuring the ongoing care of our therapy horses, which are crucial for our therapeutic riding sessions. With the support, we can provide safe, consistent, and nurturing experiences for riders, helping them overcome various challenges and achieve personal growth. Key outcomes include improved emotional well-being, increased confidence, and enhanced social skills among participants.
The program fosters a sense of belonging and community as riders, families, and volunteers come together to support one another, creating a positive impact that extends beyond the arena. By supporting the operational costs, we can maintain a safe and nurturing environment for our riders, many of whom face physical, emotional, or developmental challenges. Additionally, this funding allows us to sustain our programs throughout the spring, summer, and fall sessions, ultimately promoting well-being and empowerment for individuals in our community.
Program testimonial: “We have always struggled to find activities that our daughter enjoys and willingly participates in. Since starting riding lessons with KTRA, our daughter has grown in so many ways. She has gained confidence in herself and looks forward to attending every lesson. On lesson days we also notice that she is more emotionally regulated and is able to complete tasks and stay focused for longer periods of time. We love the program that KTRA provides and hope to participate in it for many years to come.”
We learned the immense value of community support and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, including riders, families, and volunteers. We also deepened our understanding of the specific needs of our therapy horses and the critical role they play in the therapeutic process.
For future projects, we aim to enhance communication and collaboration with participants to better understand their needs and preferences. Additionally, we plan to implement a structured feedback system to regularly assess the program's impact, allowing us to adapt quickly and ensure we are effectively meeting our goals.
To learn more about this Social and Community Development Grant, visit Kamloops.ca/Grants. Review the full list of stories of how other groups used their Social and Community Development Grants.
