Youth Voices: Foundation Programs
October 11, 2023
by Diane Foote
Regular readers of the Beacon know how proud the Foundation is of our programs and partnerships; and you also know we're not shy about it! But you don't have to take our word for it. This month, we are focusing on the voices that truly matter: those of our young program participants. Hear from them in their own words here in this compilation, and also at our second annual Meet the Kids Night slated for October 12 from 6-8 p.m. at CYC's Monroe Station. Meet the Kids Night features remarks from kids who participated in Foundation activities this past summer, fellowship with other Foundation supporters, and a delicious buffet from Chef Larry. But enough from us; let's hear from the kids!
Lead HER Ship
Lead HER Ship is a flagship program of the CYC Foundation. For 15 years, we've enabled young women ages 14-18 to sail for five days on Lake Michigan aboard the tall ship Inland Seas, learning about sailing, teamwork, and Great Lakes ecology. In 2023 we doubled this opportunity, from nine teens on one cruise to 18 on two cruises, back and forth from Chicago and Suttons Bay, Michigan. Hear what the sailors had to say about highlights:
"Seeing the stars, swimming, rock hunting, and hanging out with my friends." —Rin Argueta
"Being able to meet so many great people, and doing things I wouldn't usually be able to do." —Lily Manella
....and challenges:
"My challenge was trying new things! Everyone made sure make me comfortable and heard." —Anna Olech
....and advice they'd give future participants:
"Don't be scared. Don't stress about things you can't do." —Julia Saluga
"Stay off your phone and enjoy the view and people around you." —Evelyn Serrano Villa
.....and meaningful moments:
"The most meaningful moment from my journey was looking up at the stars." —Anahi Torres
"Sitting out on the deck with my thoughts." —Liliana De La Mora
CYC Sailing School
The CYC Foundation provides scholarships to Chicago-area youth to participate in summer and after-school sailing programs. For many families, these scholarships and grants make a key difference in sailors’ ability to participate. Participants and peers alike find the program rewarding:
“In the Beginner 420 class we learned about teamwork, communication, and how to rig the boats. The biggest impact for me is I am now confident in my sailing and can help my friends. Thank you so much for the grant, as I couldn’t have attended the program without it.”
—Daniel, 13, sailing school scholarship recipient
"I think it’s really cool that the Club and the Foundation are trying to get new kids involved and introduced to sailing. I hope we have the chance to sail with them more!" —Maggie Gallagher, CYC junior member and sailing school student
STEM Cruises
These half-day cruises, also aboard the Inland Seas, focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and gave youth from six area community organizations a chance to get out on the water aboard a boat, a first for many:
“They showed us a bunch of things I never learned before; things I never thought I would learn."
—Kaylin Perez, 15
"I learned how to set a sail, how to coil a rope, how to steer, how to navigate. When Rebecca let me steer the boat, it just really brought back memories. At first, I was unsure, but now I know what to do. You have to be open to new things!" —Ava Voeun, 15 (also a past Lead HER Ship participant)
"It was fun to be with everyone. It is cool to learn new things." —Aiden McKinney, 14
Whitehawk Week Cruises
Boat owners Peter and Marijane Thornton graciously lent their ketch Whitehawk to the Foundation in July, hosting four cruises for campers from the Jackson Park Yacht Club Sailing School, near where Peter grew up.
“My first impression of the boat was that it was bigger than a house and that the boat was, in a way, regal. The part that gave me a lasting memory was steering the boat. The wheel was bigger than me!” —Summer Overton, 11
“One of the things I found most interesting was the keel because it’s so long, but it isn’t fixed in place. They can move it so they can still sail most places.” —Isaac Silverman, 13
“It was so fun. I learned so many cool things. It was a great experience and I want to go back someday.” —Calliope Richards, 9
Maritime Academy
This Foundation initiative teaches Chicago area teens the skills needed to work on Chicago’s many commercial boats. The 18 hours of training include everything from line handling and firefighting to CPR and first aid skills; training is provided by collaboration with the Chicago Maritime School.
“I didn’t know how to tie a basic knot or even the difference between port and starboard before the Maritime Academy. It was a great introduction to boating and really helped me get up to speed at Belmont.” —Eric Zirkle, 2022 Maritime Academy graduate
“All the things I learned—knot tying, what to do in an emergency and how to drive a boat—will give me a better start in the Coast Guard.”—Mark Singer, 2022 Maritime Academy graduate
Sea Scout Ship 5870
A Sea Scout Ship is analogous to a Scout Troop on land. Sea Scout Ship 5870 is hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club and supported in part by the CYC Foundation. The Ship is committed to marine education for youth 14-21.
"Everything I know about teamwork and leadership really came from Sea Scouts.”
—Thomas Corter, Sea Scout
"The class was interesting and thoughtful, and he shared fun stories and lessons that gave us a good idea of how the Navy navigates their boats."
—Luke, participant in 2023’s “Charting with the Sea Scouts”