Equine therapy group acquires Light Center

Submitted by Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program

Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program Board President Sara Foszcz has announced the acquisition of the Light Center Program to enhance services for people with disabilities through animal-assisted therapy programs.

Since 1987, Main Stay has provided equine-assisted therapeutic activities for individuals with disabilities in Richmond, Ill. Now, the organization will offer the Light Center’s services to at-risk youth at the Union adaptive barnyard setting, utilizing rescued animals to rescue kids.

Light Center founder Jan Cederlund is retiring and identified Main Stay as a viable option to continue her mission. She explained, “As the Light Center Foundation winds down, its light is far from dimming. The light shines on through Main Stay and makes the future brighter for everyone.”

The Main Stay board of directors agreed the blending was beneficial. Board President Sara Foszcz announced, “The power of the work we do will be enhanced with the absorption of the equally powerful work of the Light Center. Blending the best of both programs, allows us to serve the community with a stronger and more deeply integrated program.”

Carla Kaizen, formerly with the Light Center, has joined the Main Stay staff and will continue to offer sessions in Union through March 2013. At which time, Main Stay hopes to relocate all programming to Richmond.

The acquisition coincides with Main Stay’s 25th anniversary. Currently serving 80 students a week with the help of 125 volunteers, Main Stay promotes wellness and self-empowerment through individualized equine-assisted therapeutic activities for people living with a broad spectrum of challenges.

Main Stay will celebrate 25 years of “Horses Healing Humans” at its annual Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala Friday, May 4, at Donley’s Village Banquet Hall in Union. For tickets or sponsorship information, call (815) 653-9374 or visit www.mstrp.org.