WE ARE YOUTH EMPOWERED!

LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

Our Explore program travels outside of the urban core, to blue and green spaces, where youth enhance their Science Technology Engineering Art & Math (STEAM) and literacy skills, and increase character and leadership development abilities, which causes them to be well rounded communal citizens. Our latest adventure is diversifying the sport of sailing in Central Indiana.

During the summer of 2021, our Youth Empowered to Explore program participated in the Jackson Park Yacht Club (JPYC) Foundation's Open Horizons Youth Sailing Program in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL. Prior to attendance youth received basic swimming and water safety lessons from the YMCA and were trained and certified in CPR. During this 2-week sailing camp, our youth were taught by US Sailing certified instructors and US Sailing REACH/Stem instructors. Explore youth were also introduced to members of the members of the Chicago area Black Sailors Club, the largest group of Black sailors of both men and women in the country - cruising and racing. In addition, youth explored careers in sailing and also experienced a sustained boost in STEM knowledge, which helped to mitigate summer learning learning loss. Youth also visited the beach, zoo, and STEM museums. We're looking forward to our next annual exploratory trip in Summer 2022! Stay tuned!

THE INDIANAPOLIS SAILING CLUB AND YOUTH EMPOWERED PRESENT THE 2022 EXPLORE SAILING TRIP

We can’t hold water. So here’s the tea on our 2022 Explore Summer Sailing Program. Surprise! Youth Empowered is traveling to Baltimore & Annapolis!!!

LOCAL PROGRAMMING (May & June)

• Hiking, Bird Watching, & Rock Climbing with Camptown

• Swimming at the YMCA

• Sailing at the Indianapolis Sailing Club

• CPR with Surviving Hands Medical Service

SAILING TRIP - Baltimore and Annapolis (July 2nd - July 15th)

MARITIME ACTIVITIES

• 5 days of sailing at the Downtown Sailing Center on the Baltimore Harbor on the historic Chesapeake Bay.

• Youth Day of sailing with the Universal Sailing Club, a community of African American Sailors and Captains celebrating the lineage of Africans on the Chesapeake Bay

• 2 days of Maritime Education with the Living Classrooms at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Meyers Maritime Park Museum

• Visit to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis

HISTORY & HERITAGE ACTIVITIES

• ”We Walk with Harriett” tour in honor of Harriett Tubman’s Bicentennial Year (200th Birthday) - A carriage ride and memorial walk through her birthplace in Dorchester County Maryland & Lantern Release

• HBCU Tour of Morgan State University & Coppin State University

• Frederick Douglass Baltimore Black Heritage Tour at Historic Fells Point and the Underground Railroad

AND JUST FOR FUN...

• Six Flags Baltimore

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APPLY TODAY!! 

(closes April 30th).

https://forms.gle/U8KDJ46HkK5dovFD7 

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ABOUT CHARITY LEWIS

Founder and Executive Director

My name is Charity Lewis. I know that some of you know me, but for those who don’t, allow me to introduce myself. I’m an avid nature lover. There’s nothing like connecting with Creator in the great outdoors. So, you’ll likely find me hiking, bicycling, camping, birdwatching, sailing, or chasing waterfalls every chance I get. I’m also a total bookworm. I’ve set a goal to read, reread, or finish reading #22booksin2022.

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All that said, and I spend most of the time loving on my three beautiful children. We are #homeschoolers, #roadschoolers, and making plans to become #worldschoolers. I’m teaching their adventurous souls how to be concerned be global citizens.

Professionally speaking, I’m the Executive Director of Youth Empowered, Inc., where we are cultivating young minds through unconventional learning opportunities. Our latest adventure is furthering diversity efforts in the sport of sailing in Central Indiana.

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I continue to champion social justice efforts for underserved youth by building and introducing structural pathways that bridge gaps and unlock doors. I have served in the higher education space as a student advocate. As an active committee member, board member, and mentor, I am also a community change-maker with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

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I’m so glad that I have an opportunity to serve your youth. I’d love to hear what you’re doing? What are your passions? How are you changing the world around you? Let’s connect soon.

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Connect with Charity!

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