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Youth and elderly find emotional bridge during annual celebration

Marquette, Michigan March 14, 2008

A group of seniors and youth worked together over the past few months to put together a day of games and celebration that took place recently at Great Lakes Recovery Center’s (GLRC) 14th Annual mini R.O.A.D. Day .  Smiles and laughter were present wherever you looked at the First United Methodist Church of Marquette.  The kids from GLRC’s Youth Services hosted games that the two groups had spent weeks preparing together as part of the GLRC Bridges Program.  Activities included a ring toss, bingo, a number wheel, bean bag toss, and blinko, among others, all in an effort to find a common thread of humanity. 

The fact that seniors and youth were able to find a common goal is in itself an exceptional event, add in the fact that these are troubled kids with serious substance abuse issues and elderly individuals with physical and mental disabilities, the outcome is truly extraordinary.  As part of the Bridges program the annual mini road day celebration is one of many activities that take place each year to bring these two groups together.  The Bridges program is a collaborative effort between GLRC’s Youth residential treatment program and Pathways mental health services that bridges the gap between the ages.

R.O.A.D. is an acronym for Ralph Olsen Activity Day. Ralph Olsen was a Bridges participant who was involved with Special Olympics. Failing health prevented him from participating in Special Olympics so he asked Bridge's staff if
somehow an event could be held in the spirit of Special Olympics for Bridges members. In the summer of 1991, Bridges began this event. Because of the positive response a second event "mini R.O.A.D" was started in 1995. Ralph has
long since passed, but it is in his honor that the R.O.A.D. events continue.  Ralph's portrait, painted by a past Youth services client, is displayed in his honor at all events.


 
 

 

    
   
   

GLRC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities

GLRC is supported in part by the United Way of Marquette and Chippewa Counties

    

 

  

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