Northwest Passage, a residential mental health treatment program for children located in northwestern Wisconsin, continues to offer innovative programs and opportunities at their residential treatment facilities, including their most recent experiential programming adventure – ice skating!

While many may be rejoicing in the warmer temperatures and melting ice and snow in northwestern Wisconsin, it’s definitely a time of mixed emotions for the kids at Northwest Passage. Thanks to donated equipment from the NHL Players’ Association Goals & Dreams program, the kids spent many hours on the ice – both indoors and out – over the last few months.

Committed to making an impact on issues that matter to its members and connected by a passion for hockey and community, the NHLPA supports causes that raise awareness, fight disease, and help neighborhoods around the world become healthier places to live and play. Northwest Passage’s grant request resulted in the NHLPA donating 25 sets of equipment including skates, gloves, helmets, sticks, and equipment bags. The grant request was endorsed by Jake McCabe, a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks who has roots in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area.

Several Northwest Passage staff members shared their passion for skating and hockey with the kids during trips to area ponds and parks, as well as at the indoor ice sheet that was rented from the local hockey association several times during the winter. For some of the young residents, ice skating was an activity that was familiar and for others, a new skill to be learned and practiced. But without question, time on the ice this winter was fun for all.

 About Northwest Passage

Founded in 1978, Northwest Passage is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring hope through innovative mental health services for children and families. Northwest Passage has become a national leader in residential mental health assessment and treatment for youth experiencing severe and complex emotional and behavioral disruptions. The organization has two residential facilities. Riverside, situated on 70 acres of iconic Northwoods landscape and bisected by the winding Clam River in Webster, WI, serves boys ages 12-17. The Prairieview campus is located on 25 acres of rolling prairie in Frederic, WI, and houses females ages 12-17 as well as Northwest Passage’s Assessment Program which serves youth ages 6-17 in a co-ed environment. Northwest Passage is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), QRTP Certified, and has earned academic accreditation through Cognia, Inc.