By Geri Wopschall
ICS – Inner City Slickers
Inner City Slickers what started approximately 26 years ago after Michael McMeel, of the Three Dog Night Band, experience the LA riots. He decided that the inner-city kids did need to know about ranches and horses. This was his way to try to build their self-esteem and confidence.
Michael enjoyed a very successful career in children’s television programming and funded the Awareness Foundation / Inner City Slickers and pursued his passion for using horses to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children and their families.
The program is an engine. Space program that combines cowboy ethics in the magic of horses to help at-risk children and teens build confidence, trust and Hope. In addition, ICS teaches these children and teens to overcome their fear and provide guidance to help develop and ensure their self-esteem. In addition, Michael has developed programs that assist children with autism, ADD, ADHD and his programs are also instrumental in providing assistance to families who may require more structure and support as well.
You can learn more about the Inner City Slickers program at www.innercityslickers.com.
ICS is funded by private donations and scholarships are available to those children in need.
Some of the local donors to this project are:
Family Dollar, Mike Klappris (Services Sanitary), Ridley’s Market, Ely Elks Lodge, Ely Lions Club, Ely Rotary Club – Shane Bybee, donations made in the memory of Joseph and Peggy Drain, Rocking 13 Ranch and all the volunteers who come and help.
My experience with Inner City Slickers was one fantastic day watching the transformation of these children.
The day started out with Michael talking to the 15 participants. He ask them questions like rate how much you trust me from 1 to 10. Some of the teens said that they raided him at zero. Others rated him at 4 and a few of them rated him at 10. To the people who rated him at 10 he stated how can you trust me when you don’t know me? The people that rated him at zero also stated that they did not want to be there. One young man said that he would rather be off doing chores then to be here. This young man was determined not to participate or have a good time.
The next thing Michael did was hand out a little booklet’ “I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” This booklet for was provided so they could right now their impressions and what they experienced during the day. Inside was a small flyer,
“I believe in myself
If I fall, I will get up
If I’m beaten, I will return
I will never stop getting better
I will never give up ever!”
Inside the front cover gives you the telephone number of Michael McMeel – (423)489-8614 and Leota Johnson – (775)289-9401. And the assurance that these phone numbers will be answered by Michael Or Leota. This is a promise they make and from experience this is a promise they keep.
The Next Step was to divide the 15 people into four groups and designate a leader. Michael first chose 4 leaders then assigned each leader two people to be in charge of. He gave instruction to the leader that if anything happened to any one of the people he was leading it was his responsibility to take care of it. It was his responsibility to make sure everybody was safe and that they each fulfilled their obligations.
The first project was for each group to handle a cleanup project. One group was in charge of removing rocks from a garden area, put them in a wheelbarrow and deposit them in the proper place. The other group was to pick up firewood and stack it where it could be easily accessed. This process worked very well and everyone participated. Then it was a water break and get in the shade for a while.
The Next Step was the blind. This is where the participants paired up, one person having a blindfold on and the other person lead them through the obstacle of the backyard. This exercise took about 10 minutes and there were no injuries. Everyone participated in this and we’re very good at guiding the blind and being blind.
After a break and some discussion they went on to the ladder. 6 of the boys were instructed to lock arms and catch whoever fell backwards off the ladder. Many of the kids did have a problem trusting that they would not be injured. Falling backwards from a height is something that most people do dread. All went well with this exercise as well. There was one young lady who was afraid of heights and had a hard time letting go of the ladder but once she did she wanted to try it again. There was also a young gentleman who had a very difficult time falling backwards and kept grabbing back onto the ladder. The young man catching did a terrific job and nobody was injured or fell to the ground.
After another break, there was the ring over the pole. The four teams participated against each other as to how fast they could get up a 10-foot pole and put two rings over the pole. This was achieved by the two taller members of the team hoisting up and being a foothold for the shorter person of the team. One team managed to do it in 13.1 seconds.
Next came lunch that had been delivered by Shane Bybee. One thing that I did notice that the only drink that was available where water. Lunch consisted of a pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, apple wedges and two chocolate chip cookies.
After lunch we went on to the horses. This was done totally bareback and each person was lead around the arena in different position such as having your hands in the air or laying back on the horse.
The next exercise was riding the barrel. I do feel that this was the most frightening exercise. Most of the participants had no problems.
Now for my personal experience participating with the group.
I wanted to get to know some of the kids and did introduce myself. One young man who definitely did not want to be there and did not want to participate was one of my targets. He did seem to relax as the day progressed and was extremely helpful to his teammates. He did take responsibility for them and their safety. I had talked to his mother to okay posting some pictures of him, but felt it was appropriate to ask him if I could use his name. He very abruptly told me no.
In the afternoon, I was sitting at table and felt myself being lifted from my chair. This young man had picked me up out of my chair and said he wanted to put me in the sprinklers. I said okay and we walk to the sprinklers. I got wet, he got wet. He picked up the sprinkler and made sure I was very wet. Then we walked out of the water I put my hand out and said can we be friends, his response was no. I must admit that this did feel good, because the temperature was 96 degrees, however it didn’t do much for the hairdo.
As we went to depart, this young man came up to me and put his hand out and said thanks.
I do not know if I had much of an effect on this young man, but I do feel we left friends. I do know he had an effect on my life. I think I will always wonder why he chose me to get all wet. Although I do feel there are many people who would like to get me all wet.
