About Us

A classroom that rocks!  Founded in 1999, Broad Reach Foundation for Youth Leaders is a registered charity built on partnerships with youth-serving agencies in the Toronto community. Promoting accessibility and inclusion, we believe that economics should never be a barrier to participation.  Offering the only free program for at-risk youth that combines building life skills, job training and sailing in a unique setting aboard one of our 40’ sailboats.  Through on-shore and on-water programs, youth aged 12-24, use sailing as a learning medium to develop confidence, leadership, teamwork, responsibility and positive work ethic.

A unique community concept, Broad Reach Foundation has introduced life-skills education through sailing to over 1800 young people with economic, social and physical barriers.  Being able to offer our unique programs to youth throughout the Greater Toronto Area is made possible through the generous financial grants and donations from sponsoring organizations, individual donors, and the support of the sailing community.  Building on the spirit of community we are grateful for our dedicated team of volunteers who give generously of their time and expertise to assist our staff in delivering our programs.    

Each year we hope to welcome even more youth and provide them with the basis to become leaders in their communities and share the excitement of sailing with others.   We’re also thrilled when some decide to play an active role in our Broad Reach community by becoming peer mentors.

Because of the generous donations of our five sailboats we are able to offer a number of different sailing experiences, please visit our REGISTRATION page for details of what is available.  Please visit our Gallery in Ahoy! to see photos of the four ladies of our fleet.  Orca, Diogenes and Shillelagh are all 40’ Screamer, ocean racing yachts, Hot Tub is a 36’ Farr racing yacht and Battlewagon is a prize winning J35 racing yacht.