Fund for American Seafarers, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Expedition Youth Sailing
American Seafarers is a Summer Vacation Sailing Crew Program we are developing to give kids the opportunity to see some incredible sights while learning important life skills that they will carry throughout their entire lives. We are building a real 75ft wooden gaff rigged schooner designed to tough working ship standards, that will sail with six kids of 15 to 19 years of age for two six week summer sessions. Our goal is to begin taking on young seafarers in the summer 2019.
The skills we are focusing on are of course, the ability to sail and the various individual skills involved as well as teamwork, leadership, accountability to one’s self, and various other skills and activities such as fishing, ocean science, sustainability, conservation, cooking and maintenance. Most importantly, kids will have a great time visiting and vacationing at some amazing places along the New England Coastline, and will come home prepared to be contributing members of society having learned what it means have some self esteem, to be part of a team and have the confidence and fortitude to tackle the challenges that life hands to all of us from time to time.
We strongly believe that by giving kids the cultural and critical life skills head-start they need to succeed in life, along with passion for their community and environment, that they will become community leaders; that the effects of our program will have a broader impact on the communities when our Seafarers return.
Day Sailing for Veterans
Sailing is a naturally and automatically therapeutic activity that allows veterans to be at peace. Our fleet of cruising sailboats allows us to take veterans out on day sails and weekend cruises or showing them how to sail their own vessels.
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Recent research suggests that children have a deficit of many skills that are critical for success and contentment. These are not the common core academic skills in which we invest so much time, money, energy, and attention. Instead, leading educators, researchers, and employers are focused on life-skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, grit and empathy.
It is very exciting to see that these crucial life-skills are being recognized once again. We can help your children learn to become more successful.
At American Seafarers, we call these skills “The Great 8":
Communication
Collaboration
Creativity
Critical thinking
Leadership
Grit/tenacity
Self Control
Optimism
We deeply believe that the American Seafarer platform is the best environment to both actively and automatically foster this skills and that a child who develops these skills will be primed for success and happiness in life – from the home to the college campus to the workplace.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategy for making an impact on our youth is to guide them through progressive successes building the smaller skill-sets needed to perform as a crew member on a small sailing ship. By building on these smaller skills and successes, we grow the adolescent's ability to tackle larger and greater tasks, eventually being able to fulfill the mission of each crew position, and finally being able to take charge of the vessel as a student skipper. Coaching and guiding our youth through these achievements, building there skills, and visiting amazing destinations that could only be visited by their ability gives all people, whether youth or adult a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self worth. Guiding them through the tougher to them skills and tasks, helps foster grit and character and the ability for each individual to have the self confidence needed to work through difficult tasks and not give up on themselves.
This approach has been developed by researching a number of studies and publications, and I invite you to visit our website, and learn about some of the research we have done.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our organization is staffed by skilled, certified and licensed captains. We currently have a fleet of two cruising sailboats capable of carrying 6 youths each for fair weather day and weekend sails, and we are looking to build through capital project funding a 75 ft wooden schooner enabling us to increase our program footprint and begin our Expedition Seafaring Program taking 6 kids for 6 weeks at a time on an expedition cruise up and down the eastern seaboard visiting some amazing historical and educational locations.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have acquired two sailing vessels, updated, outfitted, and coast guard safety inspected. We have been able to go sailing with at least twice a week this season.
We have acquired the design for Schooner Escapade, and have engaged Essex Boat Works of Essex Connecticut to be the shipwright. We would like to begin building Schooner Escapade as soon as we acquire funding.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Fund for American Seafarers, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 06/28/2017
Captain Scot McPherson
Scot McPherson
Sri Dhyana
Elyse Sabilia