Words Mandana Azimi
IMPACT / PHILANTHROPY · SPRING 2018
Philanthropist Karin Taylor and her husband Bill Weisberg have always been passionate about sharing their resources with other people and have always given support to organizations whose goals match their own personal goals of making a difference in the world.
However laudable the goals and achievements may be of any organization, private donors to the organization don’t have full knowledge about how the money they donate will be used. To that end the couple formally created the Weisberg Family Foundation which gives them the opportunity to write specific grants to particular causes. According to Taylor:
“Our foundation is built on the philosophy that everything we are given, our time, our talents and our resources, were never meant just for us.”
In order to be more hands-on the couple established their family farm as Weisberg Stables which is a 20 acre farm in Jupiter, Florida. The farm is the home of a wonderfully diverse group of animals. There are miniature horses, miniature donkeys, goats, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, along with guinea pigs, emus, chickens, turkeys, wallabies, tortoises, two dogs and two amazing barn cats. Many of these animals were rescued and over time the farm has become a sanctuary for both people and animals.
“When animals are cared for they are happy. When hurting people come into a serene environment and experience unique animal interactions, incredible things happen and healing can begin.”
In addition to her farm and foundation responsibilities Taylor also home schools the couple’s five children. Their twin sons are going to high school this year for the first time. She believes that all children should grow up with animals, because animals teach them how to care for another creature while developing empathy and reducing stress and anxiety. Taylor added:
“Plus there is their unconditional love and the joy the animals bring to your life! What’s not to love?!”.
While Taylor has been passionate about animals since she was a child, taking care of a 20 acre farm is not an easy task. So she, her family and volunteers have become a team to fulfill the goals she and her husband set for the farm.
“I’m a very color-coded schedule kind of girl. But farm animals and horses don’t follow my schedules no matter how pretty I make them! I am in constant motion from 6AM to 10PM. In addition to my team at the farm, our children are very helpful. They regularly help with the farm chores and truly enjoy participating in our farm tours and with helping to set up our Unbridled Power programs as well as assisting me with our Free Library Initiative program.”
The Weisberg Stables Family Foundation offers many different programs including Equine Therapy for children with special needs and for veterans. Taylor firmly believes that contact with animals has been proven to be calming and to reduces stress.
“Research has shown that playing with or petting animals can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone Oxytocin and also decrease levels of the stress-inducing hormone Cortisol. For children with special needs animals can be a way to practice social skills in a safe environment without feeling judged. For children or adults who have experienced trauma this can be a ‘safe’ place to give and to receive affection. The very act of riding a horse can help develop muscles and coordination.”
Weisberg Stables Foundation provides many opportunities for children and adults through partnering with other foundations, but there are three major partners: The Salvation Army, Place of Hope and The Mustang Heritage Foundation.
With the Salvation Army’s Foundation of Equine Assisted Learning programs they also provide a wild horse experience to veterans. These programs are held in West Palm Beach Community Center.
The foundation’s partnership with The Mustang Heritage Foundation matches veterans with horses which can be adopted. Taylor explained:
“This program pairs America’s wild horses with an American hero and offers opportunities for both the veteran and the horse. The veterans work with the horses and present them for adoption at the conclusion of the program. Half of the proceeds from the sale of the horse goes toward securing housing for these veterans.”
Weisberg Stables also offers farm tours, equine assisted learning and the Unbridled Power Program to foster care kids through their partnership with Place of Hope.
Taylor is a busy and successful woman who is spending her life taking care of her family, her farm as well as sharing her talents and resources with others. Her advice to people who would like to do what she does, but do not know how to begin is to start where you are.
“Start with helping one person. Volunteer. Learn from others who are already doing what you want to do. Partner up with strong organizations and fill in the gaps. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Don’t let pride dictate how you serve. Every job serves a purpose. No job is beneath anyone. Be willing to do whatever it takes because you will learn from every hardship and experience.”
Taylor also encourages everyone to follow their dreams but to have an understanding that there will always be obstacles.
“We are all uniquely created for a purpose and the world needs your contributions. Don’t give up. Adjust, if you need to, but don’t give up. When you are living within your purpose it is the most powerful and amazing feeling. You will surprise yourself with what you manage to accomplish.”
The list of all of the Weisberg Foundation programs can be found in the farm website:
www.
Creative credits
- Written by
- Mandana Azimi
- Photography
- David Molnar
