From the Bridge
Last week, I had the opportunity to be a part of a new initiative.
In partnership with Maritime RI, Safe Harbor Marinas, and the Mathewson Street Church in Providence, Tall Ships America launched its first workforce development program with a focus on the at-risk community. Three participants. No maritime background. But between them, enough life experience for ten people over.
Over the course of the program, they received a crash course in tall ships — terminology, safety protocols, the culture and career pathways that exist within it. They learned what our world is and what it can offer. And, at the end, every single one of them was offered a job by Safe Harbors Marinas.
I was there for the introduction and the debrief. At the end of the week, each participant spoke about how grateful they were — not just for the opportunity itself, but for the support they felt throughout the week. For me personally, it was one of the most impactful programs I've been able to be a part of in a long time.
The credit for that belongs, in large part, to three people: First, Captain Jonathan Kabak from Maritime RI who has a remarkable gift for sharing technical knowledge in a way that doesn't intimidate — it invites you to learn. Second, Kevin Simon, Director of Outreach and Communications from the Mathewson Street Church, who was with his participants every step of the way, providing transportation, lunches, and support from his extraordinary team of volunteers. We jokingly (but accurately) referred to Kevin as the "special sauce" in this program. And third, our own Erin Short, who kept this project on track from start to finish — making sure every detail was covered and everyone stayed focused on the finish line. If Kevin was the special sauce, Erin was the glue that held it all together. Thanks to Jonathan, Kevin, and Erin's dedication, the program worked.
But I'd be remiss if I didn't say something about the participants themselves. This was a lot to take in. They were thrust into an unfamiliar world and asked to take a chance, to trust the process. They showed up, they worked hard, and they earned what came next. They should be proud — because we certainly are.
So, why am I sharing this story? Two reasons. First, I love celebrating good people doing good things.
Second, it's a powerful reminder of what tall ships can be to a wider audience. Not just vessels. Not just events. A platform. A springboard. An on-ramp to a life none of these individuals had imagined for themselves.
These three may be heading to a shipyard, but I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of them. One of them approached me on the very first day and asked, "When this is done — do you think I could work on Oliver Hazard Perry?" I told him to speak to the captain but also shared that we have an entire fleet of extraordinary ships offering extraordinary opportunities. His eyes lit up.
As our Board President Simon Colley says, “We don’t do workforce development, we do workforce inspiration.” And I couldn’t agree more. This program showed that we have the power to inspire people to take on new challenges and experiences that they might not have otherwise. That's the promise of this community. That's what we get to be a part of.
Fair Winds,
Stu |
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