Dive Kulture Sponsored by the Latin American Health Institute 1

Contents Program Mission Our Students 2008 Experience Success Stories 2009 Progress Contributors How You Can Help Contact Information 2

Program Mission We Offer Reducing street violence through diving Giving youth the opportunity to a brighter future Focused on high-risk inner city teens We Offer Scuba Diving Certification Environmental Education Green Job Placement 5-Year After Care Services 3

Our Students Student = SEAL = Scuba and Environmental Adolescent Learner Inner city teens ages 13-21, mostly minorities At risk or proven risk (CORIs) Identified via: Community Centers: Boys and Girls Club (BGCB), YMCA … Department of Children and Families (DCF) Department of Youth Services (DYS) Courts Non-profits that hire adolescents Environmental agencies 4

2008 Experience Trained 12 teens from BGCB Chelsea and Dorchester United Divers provided instruction Over 8 weeks plus 2-day checkout dives One adult certified diver per 2-3 teens The BGCB donated pool time and subsidized the teens Provided environmental education through field trips Placed the teens in environmental agencies over the summer Providing ongoing follow-up 5

Success Stories Josh: the “scientist” Marissa: the “artist” Aaliyah: the “computer genius” Lekeith: the “brave one” Basima: the “ environmentalist” The Chelsea Girls: the “cool girls” 6

2009 Progress Funds donated by contributors established at Boston Sea Rovers are being used to train three young adults from the Department of Youth Services (we are also investigating placing some as commercial diving apprentices). The Adolescent Network For Today, a Latin-American Health Institute (LHI) program supporting chronically ill youth, is sponsoring five of their participants. United Divers has provided storage for donated gear. Save the Harbor/Save the Bay invited our 2008 graduates (and their community) to a Marine Mammal Safari around the Boston Islands on April 18. Submitted four grant proposals to private foundations and the State of Massachusetts. Will be diving with United Divers of Central Mass club on June 7 and July 12 (Chick’s Day). 7

Current Contributors Training and Placement Diving Other The New England Aquarium Save the Harbor/Save the Bay The Boston Nature Center Hull Lifesaving Museum Psychiatrist as senior advisor Diving United Divers Boston Harbor Diving Custom Diving United Divers of Central Mass Other Boston Sea Rovers (fundraising) Iceline Consulting (website) 8

How You Can Help Adopt ($500) or foster ($100) a SEAL Suggestions for part-time Summer jobs Donate equipment or supplies for training and marketing Assist with: Scuba classes and open water dives Fundraising and grant writing Field trips Activity coordination Underwater pictures and videos Program development (newsletters, brochures, websites, articles, banners, posters, environmental education) Spread the word Any other ideas? 9

Contact Information Website: www.dive-kulture.org Email: contributors@dive-kulture.org Laura Medrano, founder and director (617) 778-1171 Silvia Pighin, scuba instructor & program coordinator (617) 901-2610 Jay Ganson, program development Jorge Pighin, website development 10

THANK YOU! 11