Brayhope Farm Awarded $5,000 Youth Services Mini-Grant for New Youth Inclusion & Wellness Initiative

PHOENIX, N.Y. – Brayhope Farm, LLD has been awarded a $5,000 Youth Services Mini-Grant from the County of Oswego Division of Mental Hygiene to launch and expand its Youth Inclusion & Wellness Initiative, a program designed to support neurodivergent youth and their families throughout Oswego County

The grant was approved as part of the 2026-2027 Youth Services Mini-Grant program and will support inclusive, sensory-friendly, community-based activities for youth ages 0-21. The initiative focuses on promoting youth wellness, emotional regulation, social development, school engagement, family connections, and access to supportive community resources.

The program will serve an estimated 200 to 300 neurodivergent youth and their families across Phoenix, Fulton, Oswego, Central Square, Mexico, Pulaski, and surrounding communities. Participants include youth with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, anxiety, developmental disabilities, and other neurodivergent identities.

Grant funding will be used for youth-focused materials and resources, including sensory tools, creative and educational supplies, hands-on learning kits, accessibility supports, and materials for animal-assisted activities featuring Brayhope Farm’s miniature donkeys and goats. No funds will be used for staff wages, administrative overhead, or capital improvements.

“Receiving this award allows us to expand opportunities for neurodivergent youth to learn, connect, and thrive in an environment where they feel welcomed and supported,” said Diane Nedrow, Founder and CEO of Brayhope Farm. “Our goal is to create meaningful experiences that promote confidence, social connection, wellness, and inclusion while also supporting families who often face barriers to accessing these types of programs.”

Brayhope Farm’s Youth Inclusion & Wellness Initiative includes planned monthly engagement sessions featuring sensory-friendly activities, creative expression, hands-on learning opportunities, and animal-assisted interactions. The organization will also continue collaborating with the CNY Neurodivergent Social Group and other community partners to strengthen support networks for children and families throughout Oswego County.
The award was announced in a letter from Nicole Kolmsee, Director of Community Services for the Oswego County Division of Mental Hygiene, confirming approval of Brayhope Farm’s Youth Services Mini-Grant application for the Youth Inclusion & Wellness Initiative. The grant period extends through March 31, 2027.

About Brayhope Farm
Brayhope Farm is a community-focused organization in Phoenix, New York, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with special needs and their families through animal-assisted interactions, inclusive programming, therapeutic experiences, educational opportunities, and community engagement. Through partnerships and innovative programming, Brayhope Farm creates welcoming environments where individuals of all abilities can build confidence, develop social connections, and experience the positive therapeutic effects of animal interactions.