Captiva Cruises provides a temporary escape for local youth
What started as a mere discussion has turned into a full-fledged program. Five years ago, Captiva Cruises and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation started their “No Child Left On Shore” program.
The “No Child Left On Shore” program allows Southwest Florida’s youth with economic, cultural and language barriers to experience the barrier islands that are in their own back yard. For many of them, it’s their first time out on the water.
“It’s amazing how many kids live within 20 miles of the coast that don’t get to experience the beach and the water first-hand. It’s been very rewarding,” said Richard Finkel, one of the captains at Captiva Cruises.
On Jan. 16, Captiva Cruises took 30 kids from the Halo Project, Our Mother’s Home of Southwest Florida and Lee County’s special needs program to the southern end of Cayo Costa.
The Halo Project, which is headed by Shawn Holiday, has provided foster children with shelter, activities, mentoring, volunteer opportunities, food assistance, transportation, job training and outings since 2009. Our Mother’s Home provides shelter for teen moms who are in foster care. This is the first time that all three programs have participated in Captiva Cruises’ “No Child Left On Shore” program.
Captiva Cruises has also provided field trips for youth from the Boys & Girls Club in Fort Myers and Lehigh, the Immokalee Foundation, the Gladiolus Learning and Development Center, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida and the YMCA of Fort Myers and Lehigh.
During last Monday’s trip, the teens witnessed dolphins playing in the boat’s wake, they got to swim in the Gulf of Mexico and played football on the beach. For many of them, this trip provided a temporary escape.
“It shows that no matter how bad of a situation you’re in, you can always have a good moment,” said one of the girls at the Halo Project.
SCCF’s main role in the program is helping with the fundraising.
“Anyone who’s interested in sponsoring a group can make a tax-deductible donation to the conservation foundation and support the program that way. The money goes into the cost of the cruise and us running the program,” Finkel said.
Finkel said that each trip varies but one thing he always tries to instill is an appreciation for the vast coastal environment.
“A lot of it is to just let them experience the water and the beach first-hand, to soak it in. I try certainly as much as possible to instill an appreciation for that but I don’t have to do much with these kids. I remember one little boy getting on the beach and just being so amazed with it all and asked me ‘Are we still in America?’ He was just in awe,” Finkel said.
Adrian, who has been in foster care for the last two months, said that the trip, personally, was an invaluable experience for him.
“It means a lot to me because we’re foster kids. It’s a true blessing. It’s a dream come true,” he said.
For additional information about Captiva Cruises’ and SCCF’s “No Child Left On Shore” initiative or to sponsor a local school or youth group call SCCF at (239) 472-2329 or Captiva Cruises at (239) 472-5300.