The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation has teamed up with My Block, My Hood, My City's Explorers Program to offer STEM training and on-the-water experiences to underserved Chicago area kids from grade school through high school. Through this partnership, our goal is to provide transformational experiences to area children and help them to see Lake Michigan - and themselves - in a new light.

“Sailing, it’s therapeutic, calm, stress free” My Block, My Hood, My City Participant

The Foundation has partnered with Chicago Maritime School to provide job training to pre-qualify teenagers for jobs working as deckhands on Chicago tour boats and dockhands at area harbors and marinas. This program is designed to provide young people with exposure to opportunities in maritime occupations.

For this inaugural program, CYC Foundation is sponsoring ten teenagers from the West Garfield Park “Fathers Who Care” organization headed by Reverend Jones. The CYC Foundation hopes to offer additional sessions this summer to train more Chicago youth.

The CYC Foundation has partnered with the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier to sponsor “Boats! Captain Your Own Adventure.” This interactive exhibit runs from May 27 through Sept. 27 and will introduce thousands of Chicago area children and their families to Lake Michigan and the joys of boating. Stories include Race to Mackinac and Chicago Yacht Club members Steph Roble and Maggie Shea who represented the USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Lead Her Ship program is designed for high school girls aged 14-18, providing them with hands-on experience and experiential learning activities over five days, sailing aboard the traditionally-rigged tall ship schooner, Inland Seas, in Lake Michigan.

“This trip made me realize how good it is to go outside and be in nature not just depend on your phone all the time but actually get to experience nature and what it has to offer and I am so glad I went on this trip.” Jocelyn Garcia, Lead Her Ship Participant

“All these ship duties as well as sharing cabin responsibilities with my teammates has taught me more about teamwork and communication as an aspiring leader” Sophia Rhoda Akosah, Lead Her Ship Participant

The CYC Cruising Sail Fleet hosts an annual lakefront cruise for SOS Children’s Villages Illinois, as an extension of the partnership established through the Chicago Regatta. Foster parents, children, and chaperones enjoy a day on the water. SOS Children’s Villages creates stable, loving families for vulnerable children, keeping siblings together in an individual home in the care of a full-time, professional Foster Parent.

The Sea Scout program is committed to teaching young men and women general life skills associated with sailing including responsibility, respect for the environment, teamwork, decision-making, problem- solving and self-reliance. Sea Scouts also learn specialized skills, such as navigation, weather, water rescue, boat handling and sailing theory.

New for 2022, the CYC Foundation is partnering with SOS Illinois Villages to provide these on-the-water programs to underserved kids to help them learn new skills and inspire confidence. Programs run for 2-3 weeks over 6 sessions and include on-the-water lessons and classroom sessions.

The CYC Power Fleet hosts a lakefront cruise for Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, as an extension of the partnership established with the CYC Foundation’s after-school education program. For 100 years, Union League Boys & Girls Clubs have been at the forefront of youth development, serving the after-school needs of Chicago’s disadvantaged youth. Their programs are centered on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.