Community Service Projects
Class of 2020: Equine Assisted Therapy Sensory Trail
The 2020 Leadership Charlevoix Class selected to build a Riding Sensory Trail for Northern Michigan Equine Therapy as this year’s Community Service Project.
This sensory riding trail consists of a rich learning environment of woodland paths that consist of slopes, turns, varied footing, natural sights & sounds, and man-made activity stations. This integrated environment challenges clients' balance, stimulate their senses, and encourages reaching therapeutic goals. Activity Stations are therapeutic stopping points along the trail that offer clients the opportunity to see, hear, smell, touch, and talk about the items they encounter. This trail will give all the clients at NMET an option to get out of the arena and onto the trail with therapeutic activities to utilize.
This project was chosen by the 2020 LCC class for many reasons. The services provided encompass a variety of clients. Including but not limited to, physical and mental disabilities, autism, anxiety, depression, spinal cord injuries, stroke, veterans, at risk youth, and clients experiencing mental illness. The class was able to complete the project from marketing and fundraising to building the project as a class. Finally, because the programs offered by NMET are considered “alternative”, services are not covered by health insurance. All costs to clients are out of pocket or by scholarship funds raised by NMET.
To learn more about Northern Michigan Equine Therapy, please visit: nmequine.org
This sensory riding trail consists of a rich learning environment of woodland paths that consist of slopes, turns, varied footing, natural sights & sounds, and man-made activity stations. This integrated environment challenges clients' balance, stimulate their senses, and encourages reaching therapeutic goals. Activity Stations are therapeutic stopping points along the trail that offer clients the opportunity to see, hear, smell, touch, and talk about the items they encounter. This trail will give all the clients at NMET an option to get out of the arena and onto the trail with therapeutic activities to utilize.
This project was chosen by the 2020 LCC class for many reasons. The services provided encompass a variety of clients. Including but not limited to, physical and mental disabilities, autism, anxiety, depression, spinal cord injuries, stroke, veterans, at risk youth, and clients experiencing mental illness. The class was able to complete the project from marketing and fundraising to building the project as a class. Finally, because the programs offered by NMET are considered “alternative”, services are not covered by health insurance. All costs to clients are out of pocket or by scholarship funds raised by NMET.
To learn more about Northern Michigan Equine Therapy, please visit: nmequine.org
Class of 2019: Paddle Up!
'Paddle Up!' is a collaborative effort between Leadership Charlevoix County (LCC) Class of 2019, the Disability Network Northern Michigan (DNNM) and the City of Charlevoix Recreation Department with the goal to establish a universally accessible (UA) personal watercraft launch station at Ferry Beach in Charlevoix.
Currently there is just one UA launch available on Lake Charlevoix. located at Whiting Park, Boyne City, on the south end of Lake Charlevoix. ‘Paddle UP!’ would add a second UA access point on the north end of the lake, closer to downtown Charlevoix. The UA launch will help anyone who finds launching and landing difficult – persons who use wheelchairs, canes, prosthetic devices, the aging population, those with mobility barriers, paddlers of all ages and skill levels will benefit from this new UA launch. The addition of a UA launch at Ferry Beach would further the goal of facilitating the continuation of UA launches and access sites on Lake Charlevoix eventually leading to the completion of a water trail for this lake. Water trails provide increased opportunities for people to exercise and recreate in a non- impactful manner within our region. Development of UA launches are key to ensuring use by all users.
These experiences would increase equal access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities, children, families, and aging persons, allowing them full participation in the community. In addition to providing a healthy option for the entire family to engage in.
To donate, visit www.disabilitynetwork.org and click on the Support Our Work tab to be taken to the donation page where you can select “apply my donation to Paddle UP Leadership Charlevoix County universal kayak launch.”
Currently there is just one UA launch available on Lake Charlevoix. located at Whiting Park, Boyne City, on the south end of Lake Charlevoix. ‘Paddle UP!’ would add a second UA access point on the north end of the lake, closer to downtown Charlevoix. The UA launch will help anyone who finds launching and landing difficult – persons who use wheelchairs, canes, prosthetic devices, the aging population, those with mobility barriers, paddlers of all ages and skill levels will benefit from this new UA launch. The addition of a UA launch at Ferry Beach would further the goal of facilitating the continuation of UA launches and access sites on Lake Charlevoix eventually leading to the completion of a water trail for this lake. Water trails provide increased opportunities for people to exercise and recreate in a non- impactful manner within our region. Development of UA launches are key to ensuring use by all users.
These experiences would increase equal access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities, children, families, and aging persons, allowing them full participation in the community. In addition to providing a healthy option for the entire family to engage in.
To donate, visit www.disabilitynetwork.org and click on the Support Our Work tab to be taken to the donation page where you can select “apply my donation to Paddle UP Leadership Charlevoix County universal kayak launch.”
Class of 2018: Beetle Mania
Class of 2017: Wipe Your Feet!
Class of 2016: Born Learning Trail
Class of 2015: Trail-Head at Rogers Family Homestead
Class of 2014: Boyne City Dog Park
Class of 2013: Wheels to Water- Access for all at Whiting Park
Class of 2012: The Boyne Area Free Clinic
Leadership Charlevoix County | 100 Main Street - P.O. Box 137 | East Jordan, MI 49727
