Starting in January 2016, Los Angeles Maritime Institute will begin teaching boat building to students from Port of Los Angeles High School as part of a Maritime Vocational Education collaboration.
One of our goals is to bring the Swift of Ipswich back to San Pedro to finish her restoration (as part of the boat building program) so she can start delivering programs to students in Wilmington and the Harbor community. Imagine having the Swift restoration as a waterfront attraction like the building of our twin brigantines!
We have a shop building, we have some tools, we have shipwrights and skilled craftsmen willing to donate their time, and we have seed money from the Sherry Griswold Foundation. This investment involves a four-year commitment for future funding so we can develop the program and engage veterans in the project.
Right now, we need to raise $150,000 to complete Phase 1 of the project (the shop build-out). Would you like to help and impact the lives of hundreds of students and veterans throughout Southern California? Imagine students and veterans acquiring “real world” skills that can lead to maritime jobs right here in the Port of Los Angeles.
The Sherry Griswold Foundation will match your donation dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 through December 31, 2015.
Sherry Griswold was a young soldier killed in WWII. He believed in peace and goodwill to mankind. We’re grateful for his service and for this grant challenge that will create a pathway to a better life for young people who are not college-bound. Donations can be made online (below), by phone at 310-833-6055, or mailed to:
Los Angeles Maritime Institute, Berth 73, Suite 2, San Pedro, CA 90731.
Thank you!
Giving support to our veterans through boat building and sailing.