First Midwest Foundation helps Equine Dreams

Equine Dreams, located in Newark, is the recipient of a grant from the First Midwest Charitable Foundation in the amount of $4,000. Funds will be used toward the completion of an indoor mounting ramp, which will allow the program to serve an increased number of participants year round.

“We are so very blessed to have the continual support of the First Midwest Charitable Foundation and of our community,” said Rick Mason, Board President and Head Instructor for Equine Dreams.

Since, 1996, Equine Dreams has provided Therapeutic Equine Assisted Activities free to children and adults with special needs in counties including DeKalb, Kendall, Kane and LaSalle. Some of the free services they provide include therapeutic horseback riding, miniature horse visits to hospitals, nursing homes and day schools, a sensory trail, veterans program and RDA Dressage Horse simulator lessons. Equine Dreams is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities. This free program is run by volunteers. For more information, visit equinedreams.org.

The First Midwest Charitable Foundation is a private foundation headquartered in Itasca. Funding for the foundation comes from First Midwest Bank.

The work of the First Midwest Charitable Foundation plays a vital role in support of the overall First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. strategy through its mission to fund programs that improve the lives of women and children in our area. The Foundation places an emphasis on programs that encourage participants to take the lead in improving their own lives and which generate tangible socioeconomic benefit for the participants and their families.