Empowerment
The Adaptive Sailing Program at Piers Park Sailing Center is a nationally recognized non-profit sailing program which has served over one thousand people with disabilities since the program’s inception in 2007. In 2009, US Sailing awarded PPSC as the Best Community Program for disabled sailors. In 2010, we were honored to be designated a Paralympic Sports Club.
PPSC’s program objectives are to empower our sailors with disabilities to realize their recreational goals using adapted teaching methods and a full array of adapted equipment. Our sailors tell us that while learning the important sailing skills, they are rewarded with a sense of confidence while being challenged by the sport of sailing.
Program Offerings | Special Events | Sip and Puff | For the Disabled by the Disabled
If we don’t use Banner then we need to Revise this copy:Piers Park Sailing Center (PPSC) is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to using outdoor education, particularly sailing, to build community, foster cultural understanding, and encourage self-development among youth and people with disabilities in the diverse neighborhood of East Boston. PPSC works primarily with low-income or at-risk youth, ranging in age from 7 to 18, and people with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities of all ages. For the past eleven years, PPSC has been changing lives through our sailing programs for the children of our city who would never otherwise have access to this unique opportunity. East Boston has the least amounts of green space of all of the Boston neighborhoods.
In 1995, Piers Park was created to meet the need for more public green space. This award-winning waterfront park is a source of great pride for the citizens of Eastie. The sailing center has become an important part of this neighborhood as well; continued support from the community makes it possible that all programs serving children and people with disabilities are provided at absolutely no cost. The 2009 season was a successful year for PPSC. We served more youth than ever in our Harbor Explorers, After-School and Summer Youth Sailing programs, a 55% increase in overall participation. Our Adaptive program for children and adults with disabilities is becoming increasingly popular, growing 1000% this year in number of youth served, adult membership and Learn-to-Sail graduates. Spring 2010 will mark the beginning another season and we look forward to providing another season of Outreach, Empowerment and Adventure.
