PAL-0-MINE EQUESTRIAN RECEIVES GRANT FROM NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANK FOUNDATION --Grant Funds Program for Young Adults with Disabilities Transitioning into Adulthood-- Islandia, New York, December 2011-Pal-O-Mine Equestrian has received a $10,000 grant from The New York Community Bank Foundation to help fund its groundbreaking J-STEP Program (Job Security Through Equine Partnerships Program) for young adults transitioning into adulthood. The program helped Pal-O-Mine provide J-STEP to over 25 young adults throughout Long Island. J-STEP helps young adults with disabilities transition into adulthood and the workforce through a variety of tailored therapies that help increase the student's confidence, job skills and life skills through equestrian therapy. The program offers services to help students learn financial responsibility, social engagement, household chores and responsibilities, employment and work skills. Staff and students of this program have created partnerships with local businesses around Long Island to help engage the students in their goals and families of the students get involved to support and promote the goals. The New York Community Bank Foundation's mission is to help to improve the quality of life for people on Long Island and in Queens, with grants totaling over $21 million dollars to date. The foundation has been able to assist with diverse needs - from health-related organizations to education, community services, and cultural activities. "We are so grateful to the New York Community Bank Foundation for their support of J-STEP and our Pal-O-Mine students." said Lisa Gatti, Founder and Executive Director of Pal-O-Mine. "Without the support of local groups such as The New York Community Bank Foundation, we would not be able to help provide therapeutic support to adults and children who greatly benefit from our services," she said. For more information on donating to J-STEP or to enroll in the program, please contact, Pal-O-Mine at (631) 348-1389 or visit at www.pal-o-mine.org. ABOUT PAL-O-MINE Pal-O-Mine Equestrian's roots date back to 1993 when Founder and Director Lisa Gatti started a therapeutic riding program for individuals with disabilities. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing. Our population includes children and adults with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the economically compromised. Pal-O-Mine operates a full time program, seven days a week, twelve months a year, and supports eighteen program horses on an 8-acre facility serving 300 individuals with disabilities weekly. For more information, visit www.pal-o-mine.org or call 631-348-1389.