Los Angeles Maritime Institute

Skillful problem solving is difficult to teach in the classroom, yet it is inevitable once 4th -12th grade students board a tall ship. Our unique, real-world classroom also makes STEM concepts come to life. This funding would help us expand and grow our Long Beach division, the Children’s Maritime Institute, after its untimely launch on March 13, 2020. It will also help more youth from local, under-resourced communities develop the skills and attitudes to stay in school and become self-reliant adults, while inspiring STEM-based careers.

Los Angeles Maritime Institute's Sail the Course Program utilizes maritime skills training aboard a sailing tall ship to encourage social-emotional maturation, an empowered self-identity, and optimistic outlook in system-impacted young offenders. Forty-five hand-selected 11-16 yo youth participate in a series of four day sails customized with activities that teach strategies to strength mental health, communication, and competency, designed and led onboard by experts in positive social-emotional facilitation and juvenile diversion mediation.

LAMI’s Sail Away Weekends provide at no charge an extraordinary adventure to heal and bond families of Los Angeles homicide victims through a partnership with Justice For Murdered Children. Inaccessible to many due to cost and lack of familiarity, families set off on a one-night, two-day weekend voyage of excitement and respite. They sail a tall ship, participate in safe water activities, and overnight at Catalina Island. Sharing this new and challenging recreational experience in a safe and supported environment is the essence of healing PLAY.

LAMI's Ocean Adventure Together Program breaks barriers that keep some from enjoying our coasts and ocean. Parents and invited middle school-aged participants share in a day of ocean fun and learn how anyone can enjoy safe water-based activities and life aboard a sailing tall ship. The young participants then set sail to discover the exciting and life-changing experience of a 5-day and night summer voyage at sea. Parents join their kids on the last voyage day to witness and share in their children’s new skills and positive transformation.

Since 1992, our at-sea programs have proven the effectiveness of adventure learning experiences for at-risk youth in Los Angeles, making a direct impact on educational, economic, and social outcomes for more than 60,000 young people. With this grant, we will provide 40 at-sea programs for middle schools who cannot afford to pay and are already on our waiting list, and "free" community programs (Sail LA!) where Angelenos can sail with their families and become part of a real working crew.