A couple Alpena residents have turned a tragic event involving one of their friends... into a ray of hope. They've launched an initiative called The Sunset Project, designed to help those suffering with mental illness in northeast Michigan.
In 2016, Alpena resident Sawyer J. Boyd took his own life at the age of eighteen. Boyd’s childhood friends, Gavin MacDonald and Nick Poli, were away from home at the time attending school at Central Michigan University. The news of Boyd’s suicide shocked them, and the two knew they had to do something to help make sure it didn’t happen to others in their hometown.
“We were also 18 years old, we didn't have any money, or resources but we knew we wanted to make a difference,” MacDonald said. “So, The Sunset Project was inspired by the loss of our friend. It took a few years for us to really organize ourselves and have the resources and time to start building it, but we officially launched in March of 2022.”
Gavin MacDonald is now the Executive Director of the project. He said the name came from the fact that Boyd, who was an avid photographer and overall creative person, loved to take pictures of sunsets. MacDonald said their vision for the non-profit was to not only bring awareness for mental health but also to establish a community of individuals focused on fostering creative advancement.
The Sunset Project has three programs of focus: The Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant, The Focus 45 photography contest, and Northeast Michigan Wellness Initiative (NEMWI), which includes the Ending the Silence presentation through the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
MacDonald said, “Ending the Silence is a 55-minute presentation that happens in front of high school students during health classes. Every student experience this program because every student must take health classes. It outlines the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, then provides lists of resources to help and how to connect you with others.”
Also in the high school program, Sawyer’s mom and sister, Amy Swinson and Maddie Boyd, present their personal story about how Sawyer struggled with mental health and how it ended in suicide for him. They hope that story can inspire others who are in the same situation to have a different outcome than Sawyer did.
The Sunset Project will pilot the Ending the Silence program at Alpena High School in May. Their primary focus is getting it into all schools in the area and ensuring that Ending the Silence is presented to every health class each year.
Another driving force behind The Sunset Project, Creative Director Nick said is the organization wants creative people in northeast Michigan to know they have a place to call home.
“We want to make Alpena a kind of creative hub, where individuals who are aspiring, and individuals who want to be more open with their creative passions and careers can come and feel welcome, and can find resources and opportunities,” Poli shared.
He said those who struggle with mental health tend to find solace in creative opportunities. Much like his friend Sawyer.
“We want to bridge that gap because in rural communities like Alpena, there may be a stigma around getting help with mental health. Plus, there are very limited resources to help creative people in this area as well. We want to help with that.”
If you are or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 9-8-8.
