26 August 1 • 2019
jn
A
fter a rocky start to 2019, Detroit
Horse Power founder David
Silver brings a new perspective
to his organization.
In 2015, Silver brought a unique expe-
rience to Detroit’
s youth.
Known as Detroit Horse Power, this
organization gives kids and teens an
opportunity to learn how to ride and
take care of horses. In turn, the horses
also teach kids social-emotional skills
they may not learn otherwise.
During the first year, Silver had
only 18 students in his summer horse
camp. Over the past four years, more
than 100 students joined in at different
barns throughout Michigan.
Silver developed a year-long after-
school program in 2017 that engages
students from all over Metro Detroit.
Over the past two years, 26 students
completed the program.
In 2019, Detroit Horse Power’
s pro-
gramming came to a sudden halt. While
Silver was on his way home from visiting
his family, a pickup truck lost control on
an icy road and hit Silver’
s car head on.
His girlfriend and dog were in the car,
but only Silver sustained injuries.
Silver spent a month in two different
hospitals healing from a fractured skull.
After his time in the hospital, he went
to physical therapy and occupational
therapy. He currently participates in an
occupational therapy program three days
a week due to limitations with his left
hand.
During the three months following
the accident, Silver took a break from
Detroit Horse Power to focus on his
recovery and treatment.
Once he was able to use a computer
again, Silver stayed in contact with his
colleagues from Detroit Horse Power
and allowed them to resume operating
the nonprofit.
On April 8, Silver was finally able to
return to work full time.
“I was very excited to be back and to
work with our students in the communi-
ty,
” Silver said. “It felt good to be back in
the saddle.
”
Experiencing a tragedy like this has
put a lot in perspective for Silver.
“The accident has made me realize
how important relationships are in my
life,
” Silver said. “I am intensely grateful
for my family, my girlfriend and espe-
cially Detroit Horse Power’
s team for
stepping up and juggling a lot.
”
Silver continues to grow his organiza-
tion and educate youth in Detroit about
horses.
“We focus on five core character traits:
perseverance, empathy, responsible risk
taking, confidence and self-control,
”
Silver said. “Horses can teach these
social-emotional skills to the youth and
allow them to grow in character devel-
opment.
”
Detroit Horse Power is also working
with Grow Detroit’
s Young Talent, which
employs 14- to 24-year-olds during the
summer.
“It’
s amazing to see our kids who have
been with us since the beginning start to
teach beginner students,
” Silver said. “It’
s
great to see this go full circle.
”
With the growth of the organization,
Silver is getting closer to his goal of
repurposing a vacant lot in Detroit for its
benefit.
“We travel a great distance for our
youth to experience horse barns,
” Silver
said. “We are extremely grateful for the
barns that allow us to use their space,
but we are looking forward to the day we
can turn an eyesore into a community
asset and strengthen the fabric of the
neighborhood.
” ■
To donate or volunteer with Detroit Horse
Power, head to detroithorsepower.org.
Back in the Saddle
David Silver is back at work after
recovering from a fractured skull.
jews d
in
the
CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER
COURTESY OF PETER WALLE
David Silver talks
with a student.
LIFE
ENHANCEMENT
SERIES
Cancer Thrivers Network
for Jewish Women presents
Put your best brain forward
Lynn Breuer, LMSW, CHC
Mary Martella, LLMSW
Just like our vision and hearing change as
we get older, many of us notice changes
to our cognition starting as early as our
forties or fifties. Whether due to normal
changes to our aging brains or as a result
of other factors, there are steps we can
take to fight back!
Come learn from Jewish Family Service’s own
Lynn Breuer, LMSW, CHC, and Mary Martella,
LLMSW, as they share the latest research on
lifestyle changes and the critical role of cognitive
training in maximizing our brain health.
When:
Thursday, August 29, 2019
12pm kosher lunch
12:30pm program
Where: Jewish Family Service
$12 admission includes kosher lunch
RSVP by August 23 to Sarah
Strasberger at 248.592.2267 or
sstrasberger@jfsdetroit.org
6555 W. Maple Road
West Bloomfield