New Heights Therapeutic Riding, a nonprofit organization in Southeast Louisiana which provides therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities, broke ground earlier this month on new stalls to house eight horses, thanks to a one-time, $100,000 grant the New Orleans nonprofit received from the Humana Communities Benefit – New Orleans charitable giving program in November 2011.

 “The Humana Communities Benefit grant has been a catalyst for New Heights to make the necessary improvements to our facility, including new horse stalls and ventilation, that will allow more people with disabilities to experience the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding,” said Sue Cheveallier, director, New Heights Therapeutic Riding. “This grant not only provided us with much needed funding, but fostered a sense of pride and respect from the community. I highly encourage other nonprofits in the region to apply for this year’s Humana grant.” 

 Now, for the sixth consecutive year, another nonprofit organizati

on in the Greater New Orleans

area will have an opportunity to

positively impact the health and well-being of the community, as Humana has opened the call for entries for the $100,000 Humana Communities Benefit — New Orleans 2012 grant.

 Humana is inviting all nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations based in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes to apply for the one-time, $100,000 Humana Communities Benefit charitable grant in New Orleans.

 Organizations focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities in the areas of in the areas of childhood health and education, health literacy and services or intergenerational health will be considered. The application deadline is July 31. Following a selection process by a panel of local judges, the 2012 grant winner will be announced at an awards gala in New Orleans this November.

 “Humana is pleased to continue the tradition and provide nonprofit organizations in the New Orleans area with the opportunity to receive this transformational funding,” said Rhonda Bagby, Humana Louisiana Commercial Market President. “We’ve seen so many organizations benefit from this grant over the years and are excited to make a meaningful and lasting difference for another deserving nonprofit in our community. We encourage all eligible nonprofits in the area to apply for their chance to receive the $100,000 grant.”

 The Humana Communities Benefit program in New Orleans has been awarding one-time $100,000 signature grants to New Orleans-area nonprofits focused on improving the health and well-being of local communities since 2007.

 More information on the application and the grant are available at www.Humana.com/HCB. Questions can also be directed to Humana by e-mail to louisianabenefits@humana.com.