Local Family in Need Gets Van for Handicapped Teenage Son

Written by Joseph Montante, Northville resident and executive director of The First Place Association

The First Place Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to at-risk/underserved teens, was recently given a Ford van equipped with a power lift. 

We were diligent in our goal to find a teen that could greatly benefit from the 
features offered by the van. As executor director, I would like to underline that one of our goals is to enrich the power of thinking within the teenage population. Training our minds to embrace Positive vs. Negative most often is the key to success. 

We were put in touch with a family of need. The McMaster family in Wixom is transporting their 14-year-old son who has cerebral palsy.

“This van is going to motivate not only my son but my daughter and husband.  We would like to thank a very caring organization for their commitment to our family and giving my son a happier life via a much easier means of transportation,” said Mrs. McMaster.

“We would like also thank Taylor Chevrolet of Taylor Michigan for providing
a complete detail of the interior, tuning up the vehicle and that tank of gas. They 
are a very caring group of professionals," she said.

The First Place Association has been working with teens since 1992. Programs are
geared to reduce stress and ambiguity while providing clarity for positive decision
making. One such program is the Positive Message Program. Studies, by the Zone Influence Corporation, underline most teens are inundated by 85%+negative messages per day vs. 10% positive messages.

Examples include many video games...CD’s with negative lyrics...negative experience with friends...family issues...lack of positive friends...negative daily news from TV..the list is endless.

Whether it’s a van for teen transportation OR transporting a teen's thinking to become more positive, we are dedicated to maximizing the opportunities at hand.

Find more information at www.firstplacenow.com.