Cleveland Area Teens Sail The Great Lakes For A Week Aboard Tall Ship S/V 'Denis Sullivan'
Published: Wednesday, March 11, 2020
In 2007, when the Rotary Club of Cleveland was seeking a way to celebrate its 100th anniversary of service to the community and to those in need around the world, they agreed to become the Port Organizer for the 2010 Cleveland Tall Ships® Festival in coordination with the American Sail Training Association, now known as Tall Ships America®.
The Rotarians believed in the importance of offering people of all ages and incomes the opportunity to truly experience a part of their history and heritage through the stories told by these majestic tall ships. At the same time, they wanted to showcase the local lakefront and educate people on the importance of the Great Lakes and the need for its preservation. Since the nurturing and empowerment of our "youth", especially those outside of the programming circle, has always been a focus of Rotary clubs everywhere, enter PROJECT YESS—Youth Empowered to Succeed Through Sailing. The passion that was the impetus for the Rotary Club of Cleveland’s involvement then has become an annual legacy project of the club, one that still thrives today.
“Project YESS was the most amazing experience I ever had,” said Leah, a 2017 YESS Sailor and 2018 YESS Ambassador. “Being a part of a crew… showed me how every little thing you do makes a difference. I had known that the lakes were big, but not until sailing with Project YESS did I really understand the vastness and beauty of them. I have a deeper comprehension of the importance of protecting the lakes and environment and have made changes like using more eco-friendly appliances and actions in my life. Project YESS changed my life, and I am glad that it is continuing on to change others’ as well.”
Project YESS helps youth (ages 13-17) by providing direction, developing courage, confidence, and community, 
and opening students’ eyes to unique career opportunities that exist in the Great Lakes region. YESS students develop teamwork, leadership, safety, and navigational skills during an extraordinary six-session land-based curriculum. Graduates then sail away on a six day, five night adventure aboard a tall ship and apply the skills they’ve gained through the program toward becoming a vital member of a dynamic on-board community, navigating a historic vessel toward its destination.
“This program is an opportunity for the Rotary Club of Cleveland to help shape the leaders of tomorrow. Rotary’s motto is ’Service Above Self’ and spending a week crewing a tall ship is a great way to develop team building skills and understand the importance of working together to accomplish a common goal,” said Shannon Beatty, the coordinator of this year’s Project YESS.
The Rotary Club of Cleveland has been fortunate for several years to have partnered with Discovery World and the S/V Denis Sullivan out of Milwaukee, Wisc., who share the same mission and vision for the importance of youth sail training in the development of young people.
Tiffany J. Krihwan, Sr. Captain and Director of Marine Operations for the Sailing Vessel S/V Denis Sullivan, said, “I have had the true pleasure of working with Project YESS students for more than 10 years now. The members of the Rotary Club of Cleveland do an outstanding job organizing and preparing the students for the voyage. Over my 20 years of sailing with teenagers, this has not always been the case. Students sometimes come with the impression that they will be able to just kick back and take it easy, but with the YESS program, they come with a working knowledge of what lies ahead before they even set foot on the vessel.”
Applications for this year are due March 23, 2020!
Interviews will be conducted April 2 and April 7 and all applicants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Orientation for the Project YESS Novice Sailors is May 7, 2020. The course work is conducted evenings and Saturdays, May through June, in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, in preparation for the “on board” sailing experience on the S/V Denis Sullivan, July 2-8, 2020. All costs are covered by the Rotary Club and its foundation.
For complete information or to answer any questions, please email [email protected]. Additionally, be sure to visit Project YESS on Facebook.
This article first appeared in the Spring Issue (Mar/Apr) 2020 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Education, Feel Good Story, Job Opportunites, Kids & Pets, Lake Erie, Sailing
