ChristieCare Receives Multi Year Grants from Local Foundations
Two of ChristieCare’s newest services recently received significant multi-year commitments from Portland-based private foundations. In December 2007, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation awarded a two-year grant totaling $110,000 to help fund the return of ChristieCare’s Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program; and in February, the James R. Kuse Family Foundation announced its intention to contribute $100,000 over three years in support of the Mosaic Transition Age Youth program.
ChristieCare’s long history of using horses to help meet the recreational and therapeutic needs of its children ended in 2005 with the closure of the Christie Stables due to rising facility costs. When an opportunity arose to restore the program’s therapeutic (EAP) component at the Boy Scouts’ Butte Creek Ranch near Oregon City, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation stepped forward with a portion of the critical start-up funds. Grants were also received from the Margueritte Hirschbuhl Drake Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation and the Nancy Horstkotte Memorial Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation. ChristieCare is currently seeking additional grants and donations to help fund the start-up.
EAP is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of mental health issues including attention deficit disorder, autism, eating disorders, depression and anxiety – especially for individuals resistant to more conventional therapies. The EAP treatment team, which includes an equine therapist and horse specialist, uses the horse to work through different exercises and challenges with an individual child or group. The program will likely be offered to children in existing ChristieCare programs, as well as individuals or groups in the community. Services are expected to commence later this year or early in 2009.
ChristieCare’s Mosaic program – the first of its kind in Oregon – serves young adults 18-24 years old who are no longer eligible for children’s services but continue to require intensive mental health treatment. Support is provided in a home setting to help residents focus on employment, education, leisure time, recreation and daily living skills. The program is designed to be directed by the young adults themselves, focusing on their strengths and fostering hope, responsibility and independence.
The James R. Kuse Family Foundation’s commitment provides immediate support and will help strengthen the program in the months and years ahead. Special thanks to ChristieCare Board Member Nick Ehlen for playing an integral role in securing this important grant.