Getting up in the saddle and riding a horse can be an experience like none other. It's because of this that riding therapy has become a way to help people with special needs. At place likes Reins of Life, riding therapy students go through different exercises to help with their overall development. But what does it take to become one of these riding therapy instructors?

A study found that teachers in Elkhart County spend an average of $1000 of their own money on supplies for the classroom. To address this issue, the Elkhart Education Foundation has launched a Schoolhouse Supply Store where teacher can access supplies, free of charge.

Through a partnership between Horizon Education Alliance and CareerWise Colorado, Elkhart County has created an apprenticeship program to train the next generation. This educational opportunity will give high school students hands on training at participating businesses in the area.

The Early On program serves as an early intervention to special needs students between the ages of 0-3 years old. This program is part of a federal law that supports states in providing services for qualified young children and their families and recognizes the central role families have in the lives of their children. It also recognizes that families are experts about their children. Early prevention is the key to insuring that special needs children have a chance at a successful future.

The neighborhood bicycle shop is usually a place to find that special pair of wheels or get the ones you already have fixed. But Cycle Re Cycle isn't your everyday bike shop. Here, people actually learn mechanical skills rather than just see the results of them.

Museums are a great place to go to learn something new. At the Midwest Museum of American Art, the public can attend a series of events known as Noon Time Talks. Attendees can experience different types of art and film presentaitons and participate in discussion.

Seed to feed is a program started by Church Community Services that works to address food insecurity in the Elkhart community. The program has two gardens where they grow various produce to sell to the community. This program gives people the ability to access fresh and healthy produce when it might not be financially feasible and also introduces students to the art of garden keeping.

At the Humane Society of St. Joseph County kids are given the opportunity to read to a furry friend. This benefits the child and the shelter animal. For children reading to animals can often improve self confidence in their reading abilities and the animals get to interact with the kids in a stressful enviroment. The children also get to take 2 free books home with them after playing with the animals.

All summer long students have been working with Notre Dame to continue growing and learning about the world around them. At the ND DNA Learning Center, students have gained hands on experience in the biological sciences this summer. They experience and conduct many hands on experiments to expose students to the field. Students come from all across the country to join this summer program.

About 30 million children rely on free school lunch, so where do they eat when school is out for the summer? At Bridgman Public Schools, they are addressing this issue by providing free meals all summer long. The meals are designed for children 18 and under, with eligibility also given to adult individuals with disabilities. The school also helps support local businesses in their efforts by serving food from local farmers and teaching their students what it takes to grow their own food.

Having a place to design and build allows people to let their minds wander into the world of creativity. Maker spaces like the Fab Lab at Lake Michigan College offers not just students, but members of the community the chance to find their creative side.

Having a mentor can make all the difference in the life of a child in need. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that pairs those children with an adult who can serve not only as a guide, but as a friend.