Sunday Lifestyles

Reach of Centaur Stride is greater than just this area

Sometimes, the true value of a person, a program, a business or even an organization depends on where it is located. Something that is overlooked in one place may be treasured in another. It depends on what is offered, the demand for it, and most importantly, finding the right audience.

A familiar story illustrates this lesson well. A father gave his daughter an old car after she graduated with honors, but before telling her it was hers, he asked her to find out what it was worth. A used car dealer offered very little because of its age and appearance. A pawn shop valued it even less. Finally, she took the car to an automobile club, where an enthusiast immediately recognized it as a rare collector’s vehicle and offered a remarkable price. The lesson was simple: the car hadn’t changed--only the people evaluating it had.

What makes a community great?

That message resonates with the work being done every day at Centaur Stride in Westfield. While many people in our community know about the organization, others are still just discovering the life-changing opportunities it provides through therapeutic riding and equine-assisted programs.

Years ago, a Buffalo television station featured a therapeutic riding center in Florida. At first, it seemed disappointing that a similar organization in Western New York wasn’t highlighted instead. However, that national exposure sparked conversations locally. People began comparing the Florida center to ours, shedding a new perception on Centaur Stride.

People from outside of New York state have found Centaur Stride. We have a family who stays at Chautauqua Institution every summer and brings their daughter every summer for therapeutic horseback riding every week. Others who have found us over the years continue to make reservations when they are visiting the area.

Donna Sedota, who spends her summers in Chautauqua County, volunteers at a therapeutic riding center in Texas. When she arrived in Western New York, she immediately searched for a similar organization and found Centaur Stride -- a reminder that people who understand the value of these programs often know exactly what they’re looking for. Donna is retired and volunteers several times per week. In addition, she has been a tremendous benefactor in our fundraisers, providing matching funds for donations. She is an artist and loves to make jewelry. She has been selling her original creations at the Westfield Farmers’ Market, and donating all the proceeds to Centaur Stride. (DMS Beadworks; Instagram @donnasedotabeads).

"The first year I volunteered at Centaur Stride", said Donna, "I was the horse leader for an adult named Derek. He was in a wheelchair and the joy riding his horse was apparent immediately. I really enjoyed listening to him and his instructor talk about the Buffalo Bills. I was very happy to be paired with Derek my second year also. This year, I have had the privilege of working with another adult, Lisa. She loves riding and just being around her favorite horse, Qwin. While my riders receive the physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding, the same goes for me. In addition to the physical exercise (especially when walking through the woods on a trail ride), I love interacting with my riders. The whole drive home I think about how I can’t wait to get back to Centaur Stride."

Finding the right audience is just as important as creating the right program. Over the past two years, Centaur Stride introduced two pilot initiatives designed to meet important local community needs.

The Volunteer Transitions Program, funded by the Westfield Fund and the Gugino-Lyford Fund, was created to help individuals with disabilities learn volunteer skills by providing additional supervision and support at no cost to participants. Although the opportunity for all people to be able to volunteer offers great benefits, some are just not independent enough. Sadly, the interest has not matched the need. Does that mean there is no need, or we haven't reached the right audience?

The second initiative, EASE (Equine Assisted Social-Emotional Growth Program), offered fully funded services for children aged 5 to 21 with disabilities and their siblings. While the program itself received positive feedback, frequent absences and last-minute cancellations made it financially difficult to sustain under its funding model (Centaur Stride was only paid for those in attendance). Commitment for free services doesn't equate to when it costs something. Is the value lost or just the appreciation?

Neither program is being reevaluated because they lacked value. Rather, each demonstrated that even worthwhile opportunities need the right audience, awareness and timing to succeed, especially in rural areas.

Bloom where you are planted. Invest in your community, and appreciate what is here. It takes so much effort and many people to keep these opportunities available.

Looking ahead, Centaur Stride remains optimistic. Two additional pilot programs are already in development with hopes of launching next year. Like any growing organization, sustainability and reaching new families can be challenging, but the right fit and timing may be just a day away.

Sometimes the greatest treasures are the ones closest to home, but yet never experienced. People have busy lives, and more so, if one member has a disability. As more people discover Centaur Stride, appreciation--and participation--may one day exceed capacity, and sustainability a natural byproduct.

Thank you to all the people who have recognized and supported this treasure. For more information visit our website at www.centaurstride.org.

Claudia Monroe is president and founder of Centaur Stride.