Go-getter. Organizer. COLLABORATOR.
Founder of Leg Up Farm, Able-Services, Leg Up Farmers Market, Leg Up Enterprises, Adult Care Enterprises and Happy Helpers. Author of Leg Up The Courage to Dream: One father’s 13-year journey to transform the lives of thousands of children. Louis J. Castriota, Jr., began with a desire to help children with special needs. This vision grew when his daughter Brooke was diagnosed with a condition that causes cognitive and motor function delays. Discovering huge gaps in the availability and affordability of services that could help children like Brooke, “Louie” Castriota undertook a 13-year journey that would culminate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, in 2010, of Leg Up Farm in Mt. Wolf, Pennsylvania. This involved raising more than $30 million in funding through private contributions, public fundraisers, loans and grants.
Observing his success, David Skerpon, Vice President at Capital Blue Cross, told Castriota, “You are evidence that, when one has a vision and is passionate about making it a reality, unbelievable things happen.” Castriota, who is the founder of Leg Up Farm, encourages others to have the courage to dream and to “do the right things every day”.
Background
Castriota is a popular speaker on vision casting; leadership; customer service; collaboration and implementation; inspiring and managing volunteerism; and diversity. Before founding six non-profit and for-profit entities, Castriota held media and sales management positions in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD and Harrisburg, PA.
Community Involvement/Awards
Louie Castriota has been the recipient of many honors, including becoming a graduate of the esteemed Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, as well as receiving the Rite Aid Foundation's KidChamp Award, the National Comcast Spotlight Hero Award and the Non-profit Innovation in Management Operations Award. He was named a York Federal Fellow in Nonprofit Community Leadership and led Leg Up Farm’s successful Silver LEED Certification. Castriota is often a guest lecturer at Schools and Colleges. Over the past several decades, he has served on various boards in his community. Since Leg Up Farm opened, Castriota has become involved in mentoring nonprofit leaders.
About Leg Up Farm & Able-Services
Today, these rapidly growing nonprofits have served more than 5,000 children and adults with special needs and their families. Leg Up Farm includes a 64,000-square-foot facility and stables located on 18 acres, and offers a wide range of therapies, all under one roof in very engaging spaces. Able-Services includes a 6,000 square-foot facility and 6,000 square-foot greenhouse located on 23 acres, and offers a wide range of programs including Able-Growers and Able-Printers. Leg Up Farm and Able-Services’ staff and participants are supported by more than 10,000 volunteer hours annually.
Awards and Community Involvement
Awards
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Alumni
- Rite Aid Foundation's KidChamp Award Winner
- March of Dimes Service to Humanity Honoree
- Award-Winning Finalist USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News
- #1 National Rank on Charity Navigator for “Charities Expanding Programs in a Hurry”
- National Comcast Spotlight Hero Award
- Non-profit Innovation Award in Management Operations
- Non-profit Innovation Award in Management Programming
- Non-profit Innovation Finalist in Collaboration
- York Federal Fellow in Nonprofit Community Leadership
- Janet and Lew Klein “Making a Difference” Award Pennsylvania Assoc. of Broadcasters
- Associated Builders & Contractors National Excellence in Construction Award
- ABC Keystone Excellence in Construction Award, Leg Up Farm Phase I
- Silver LEED Certification for Leg Up Farm from U.S. Green Building Council
- Top Fundraiser, Athletes vs. Multiple Sclerosis
Current Community Engagement
- Board Chairperson Leg Up Farm & Able-Services
- Featured community speaker with a focus on volunteerism and diversity
- Mentoring nonprofit leaders
Past Community Engagement
- Board Member, Margaret E. Moul Home; Committee Chair, Radio and Television
- Founding Member and past V.P. White Rose Leadership Institute Board of Directors
- Volunteer, Big Brothers of York County
- Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach, York County School of Technology
- Head Football Coach, Dallastown Cougars