2008 Promising Projects — Community Capital Projects

Northern Kent County is home to the Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding (Equest), one of the two largest facilities of its kind in the state of Michigan and one of the five largest in the Midwest. Equest provides equine assisted activities for individuals facing the lifelong effects of brain injury, stroke and certain kinds of neurological disorders. The practice engages horses to promote emotional growth and pronounced physical benefits for riders that can lead to improved balance and coordination, increased strength and stamina, improved self confidence and self-discipline.

The Frey Foundation joined other community philanthropic partners to assist Equest in their efforts to acquire nearly 11 acres of open green space that abuts their existing 24-acre campus. Undeveloped except for a seven-stall barn, the additional acreage was recently re-zoned, making it more attractive for low-density residential development, and sparking Equest’s efforts to launch a capital campaign for its purchase. The project will help preserve the pastoral nature of this environmentally sensitive parcel, and allow Equest to enhance its programming while doubling its service capacity.

Since their founding over 36 years ago, Senior Neighbors has been dedicated to promoting independent living for west Michigan adults, age 60 and older, providing low-cost meals, wellness classes, health screenings, and other essential services that reduce isolation and help local seniors improve the quality of their lives. Senior Neighbors operates six senior centers throughout Kent County including one facility they had long outgrown, located in downtown Grand Rapids.

A three-year search for a site that would better accommodate their space and programming needs yielded the discovery of an ideal location, less than a mile from their previous facility, on south Division Ave. The site, formerly the Heartside Grocery Store, will undergo a complete renovation to include the installation of a commercial grade kitchen, updated plumbing and electrical, flooring, laundry facilities and fresh paint. This project attracted both private and public sector support that will enable Senior Neighbors to relocate in the spring of 2009.