| News Release: For Immediate Release |
Shining Hope Farms Receives $10,000 Grant from the TELUS North Carolina Community Board to Support Nature-Based Therapy Through Outdoor Farm Enhancements
MT. HOLLY, NC (OCTOBER 21, 2025) – Shining Hope Farms is pleased to announce it received a $10,000 grant from the TELUS North Carolina Community Board. The funding will support the creation of new nature-based play and therapy spaces at the nonprofit’s three farm locations in Charlotte, Mt. Holly, and Conover, NC, where children with disabilities and mental health needs receive life-changing therapy.
“This generous funding from TELUS allows us to deepen the therapeutic benefits of our outdoor environments and reach even more children in need,” said Jessamyn Farrell, Assistant Director of Shining Hope Farms. “By creating interactive outdoor spaces like sensory trail enhancements, digging pits, and natural art areas, we are able to help children develop critical physical, emotional, and cognitive skills in an engaging, peaceful, and joyful environment.”
The funding will enhance the nonprofit’s nature-based occupational, physical, speech, and mental health therapies using the ConTiGO™ model, an evidence-based framework that emphasizes connection and transformation in outdoor settings. These improvements are expected to benefit 400 children directly and 700 individuals indirectly by increasing access, reducing wait times, and improving the therapy experience.
“Through our partnerships with charities supporting youth with disabilities, we understand the challenges young people in these situations face,” said Ebony Burt, North Carolina Community Board Chair. “We are proud to be able to support Shining Hope Farms, with a North Carolina Community Board grant in order to help them make nature-based therapy more accessible to families of all income levels in the community.”
For more information on Shining Hope Farms, its current programs, along with the $10,000 grant, please visit shininghopefarms.org, and for more information on TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods visit telus.com/agcg.
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About Shining Hope Farms
Shining Hope Farms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals through accessible, nature-based therapies and adaptive horseback riding. Serving communities across three farm locations in the Western Piedmont region of North Carolina, Shining Hope Farms offers occupational, physical, speech, and mental health therapies, as well as adaptive horseback riding and a specialized program for Veterans called Saddles & Salutes. Their innovative therapy approach integrates clinical expertise with the proven benefits of nature, equine movement, and equine interaction, fostering physical, emotional, and cognitive growth in a joyful, supportive environment. By prioritizing accessibility, cost is never a barrier to receiving life-changing care. For more information, please visit the website at shininghopefarms.org or call (980)827-3788.
About TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods
TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods is a leading global provider of digital solutions and data insights that help connect food and consumer goods producers to consumers. With a global team, we serve customers in more than 60 countries, offering integrated solutions for analytics, data, supply chain management, trade promotion, and farm and livestock production management. TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods is helping connect customers with the right tools and information at the right time to grow their businesses in a more informed, agile, and sustainable way so that, together, we can improve the communities where we live and work. For more information, please visit telus.com/agcg and follow @TELUS_AGCG on Twitter and TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods on LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Patrice Gibson, Executive Director | (704)867-3499 | patricegibson@shininghopefarms.org