Agency and Youth Spotlight

Agency Spotlight

New Strides

This year is the third year that New Strides Youth Camp has taken part in our Screamer Programs.  A creative and flexible program for campers with special needs. Increased independence, enhanced self-esteem and improved social skills will be gained by attending this outdoor recreation-based day camp. With easy access to public transit  provides great adventure, hiking, cookouts, singsongs, outings, co-operative games and swimming.

We are pleased to announce that this year we selected one of the youth from New Strides to attend the National Yacht Club's junior sailing school. This partnership is possible through the generous donations provided by the NYC 1/4 Fleet. 

Sailor Spotlight - Justin Irvine  

  Many of the youth that have come through the program are very thankful for the opportunities, and for the support that both NYC and the ¼ Ton Fleet, some of the youth who have benefited, from the scholarship Jo Christensen, who is working towards his instructor levels, Justin Irvine, who has just started working on his white sail levels, Sage, who was able to achieve his silver levels, Cathy Chu, who went through the program, and was able to work with others through the Broad Reach screamer programs. Every year, while we are committed to helping each youth through this scholarship, I am excited that this year, we had a couple of youth who were enthusiastic partners, and who we look forward to bringing into our program, and to the scholarship.

Lisa, Justin Irvine’s mom, commented that I can tell you that the sailing program suited him really well because it combined two of his favourite things; being with people and being outdoors.  He was always enthusiastic in the morning, and was anxious to get out the door to his camp, saying 'Mommy drive me Justin camp?' and he was quick to remind me that he needed a lunch ('where's my lunch?'). 
 
He is a nervous swimmer, but what I found most amusing was the fact that I really don't know if he realized that he was on the water.  He is a chatterbox and I'm sure he was thrilled to have a captive audience (there's nowhere to go once you're out on the water!) for his many incessant ramblings.  I know there was at least one day when they couldn't go out on the water, but I'm certain that he equally enjoyed helping to clean the boats, because he is always asking to help and feels proud when he can do small tasks alongside others.

Broad Reach is proud to have been able to support Justin's sailing adventures and are thrilled that he was able to take part in the NYC JRSS program. We look forward to seeing more of Justin in the years to come.  Sailing can be a turning point in a young person’s life and can become a positive part of the rest of their life, it can even become a career.