From the slopes of Vail to the waters of Lake Michigan, Jackie and Michael are a match meant to be. Help the happy couple celebrate their upcoming nuptials by supporting the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation, the mission of which is “to bring the joys and benefits of boating to all, with primary focus on youth
from underrepresented communities.”
Jackie and Michael know firsthand these joys and benefits through their experiences sail racing on Hot Lips and Scarlet Begonias, and feel strongly that it is important to broaden opportunities for Chicagoland young people.
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What the Foundation mission means in practice is that hundreds of youth across Chicagoland benefit from maritime and boating opportunities to learn about sailing, water safety, Great Lakes ecology, teamwork, leadership, and more. Programs include:

• Tall Ship STEM Cruises: half-day cruises aboard the 77-foot gaff-rigged tall ship Inland Seas to learn about sailing and ecology; nearly 200 youth from six community organizations across Chicagoland participate.

• Adventure Boating Camp: The Foundation hosted three Adventure Boating Camps this summer during which 32 youths from three community organizations learned to sail the Club’s Sonars, engaged in paddle boarding and kayaking, practiced swimming, and explored Belmont Harbor.

• Judd’s Sailing Camp: sponsored by the Foundation in partnership with the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, brought children with physical disabilities ages 8-14 to the Judd Goldman Sailing Center in Burnham Harbor weekly for eight sessions of on-the-water instruction on specially-designed keelboats.

• Lead HER Ship: For 15 years, the Foundation has provided leadership training via a five-day cruise on Lake Michigan aboard the tall ship Inland Seas for nine young women ages 14-18. The cruises provide hands-on experiential learning and leadership training; in 2023 we were able to double the number of cruises to two, with a total of 18 young women.

• Maritime Academy: This Foundation initiative teaches Chicago area teens the skills needed to work on Chicago’s many commercial boats. The 18 hours of training include everything from line handling and firefighting to CPR and first aid skills. In 2023, Maritime Academy also included sponsorship of the Union League Boys and Girls Clubs Learn to Swim program.

• The Competition Fund: Enables the CYC Foundation to award grants to support applicants’ training for and participation in prestigious national and international sailing competitions, such as the Olympics, inter-club invitational events that are nationally recognized.