26 August 1 • 2019
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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

