Heart of Sailing

About me:

Heart of Sailing teaches sailing to special needs children as a form of recreational therapy. The charity was founded in 2004 by George Saidah, a successful software entrepreneur who was motivated by his personal experience with a loved one with a cognitive disorder. A sailor for more than 35 years, Saidah dreamed of combining his love of the ocean with service to the community. Since retiring in 2005, Saidah devotes his time to developing Heart of Sailing to create a fun, educational and therapeutic opportunity for children with developmental disabilities. Mission: Heart of Sailing teaches sailing as a form of educational and recreational therapy for children with developmental disabilities. Why Sailing is Effective Therapy: Sailing appeals to the imagination and dreams of children, fulfilling a sense of adventure. On-the-water instruction in the form of brief Daysails achieves remarkable results through innovative approach. Participants and families benefit in multiple ways: • Inclusion – All are treated equally and expected to become part of crew. • Teamwork – Everyone collaborates working toward the same objective. • Empowerment and Self Esteem – Each has the opportunity to rotate through crew positions, which culminates in becoming Captain and wearing the Captain’s hat. • Confidence, Concentration, Relaxation, Social Interaction, Communication, and Coordination, and more therapeutic benefits through the integration of the sensory components of sailing. Success: Over 1,700 Special Needs participants and 4,000 individuals around the United States and Canada were impacted by the program in one year alone. Including the participants from our first 2 years of operations, we have sailed with nearly 6,000 individuals. Expansion: At the close of 2007, HOS celebrated record growth beyond original projections: 20 regions in the United States, 2 in Canada and 1 in France, with new locations opening in spring 2008 in Minnesota, Florida, Georgia, Vancouver BC, and on the East Coast. Commentary: ‘One of the most surprising developments of all has been the personal changes I have experienced. As a Captain teaching sailing to the participants, I have had the opportunity to make dreams come true. The rewards of this opportunity are found in every smile, every accomplishment, every triumph we experience in a Daysail.’ George Saidah, HOS Founder & Executive Director “Better than Disney World” you could hear John shout from the bow, riding the waves of the Pacific. “At the end of the day it was debatable who had gotten more out of the Heart of Sailing Foundation experience: the children, the families, or the volunteers.” Gretchen, Daysail volunteer Below are just a few of the comments from parents following their Daysail experiences with their children: ‘Never saw Zach smile as much’ ‘Never saw Ian as relaxed’ ‘I never though Mia could steer the boat that well and that long’ ‘John said his first words after his Daysail’ .. ............


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