Details About Our 'STAR' Program
OBJECTIVE
To incorporate the benefits of Sail Training into an adjudicated youth rehabilitation program. We call this the 'STAR' program: Sail Training As Rehabilitation.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY SAIL TRAINING?
Originally, Sail Training meant seamanship training for naval officers. Today, Sail Training is more accurately defined in terms of character building and education for youth 15-25 years of age on a variety of vessels, from large ocean going sailing ships to rowboats on rivers. We expand the definition to encompass rehabilitation for adjudicated youth.
WHO ARE THE ADJUDICATED YOUTH THAT WE SERVE?
The adjudicated youth that we serve are transitioning out of probation or parole, back into their home communities. They are non-violent, without mental health issues, and are in the low-risk-to-society category. Their delinquency/criminal behavior is more a reflection of youthful risk-taking rather than of a criminal lifestyle. They are healthy and physically fit.
THE BENEFITS OF SAIL TRAINING IN AN ADJUDICATED YOUTH REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Sail Training is successfully being used nationwide to provide a stimulating educational and character-building experience in an environment that is usually completely new to the participants. It is a challenge that at first appears insurmountable and completely foreign but then is soon overcome with the help of competent teachers/mentors. Overcoming challenges is exactly what adjudicated youth need in their journey to becoming well adjusted, functioning members of mainstream society.
We believe that a well designed Sail Training program provides an environment that is conducive to positive behavioral change in adjudicated youth. The fundamentals of Sail Training - community, personal responsibility, learning, and self esteem - are the basic components of a stable, productive society.
HOW 'STAR' FITS INTO AN ADJUDICATED YOUTH REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The 1-3 month 'STAR' Sail Training program occurs in the middle of a year-long Division of Juvenile Justice program. The rest of the rehabilitation program includes education, job training, mentoring, community involvement, and other required counseling services, using methods that have been proven to lead to reduced rates of recidivism. The 'STAR' component reinforces and emphasizes the rest of the rehabilitation program.
THE ONBOARD 'STAR' PROGRAM
Once the participants are onboard, the ship becomes their focus. The safety of the entire crew and the ship are top priority. The professional crew trains the youth participants in all relevant safety matters.
The process of safely sailing the ship from one anchorage to the next requires teamwork, personal responsibility, and learning the language of sailing ships. The structure and discipline of the Watch Rotation System coordinates daily shipboard duties, and the positive role-modeling from the professional crew provide these youth an excellent environment for character development and increased self esteem.
The professional sailing crew and any required counseling staff reinforce the behavioral modification therapies that these youth require.
Job skill development has been shown to be essential to reduced recidivism. Modern sailing ships have mechanical and electrical systems that provide an excellent introduction to good paying jobs in the maritime or shore side industries.
The ship we eventually will build will have a sufficiently large shop area for instruction in ship board system maintenance and repair. In the meantime, youth will be introduced to the routine maintenance of the ship systems on whatever vessel we charter.
THE ROLE OF MENTORS IN THE 'STAR' PROGRAM
Mentoring is a central part of the 'STAR' program, and is the key to making the experience relevant to the adjudicated youth. Those in the rehabilitation program are not likely to have come from a maritime community. Without mentors, the Sail Training experience may not seem relevant to their rehabilitation and future.
Our goal is to have the youth that have successfully completed the 'STAR' program become the mentors for the next group of adjudicated youth. These graduates would have recognized the benefits of Sail Training in their own lives and therefore make ideal instructors for the rehabilitation of adjudicated youth.
Mentors encourage the participants to accept Sail Training as a challenge that can be overcome with the guidance of the mentors, and as an example of how obstacles in life can be overcome with personal responsibility, teamwork and learning.
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