Freedom Waters Foundation (FWF), based in Naples and also operating in Fort Lauderdale, was co-founded by current Executive Director Debra Frenkel. Its mission statement: to improve the lives of individuals with special needs and veterans by providing therapeutic marine-related experiences on the waters of South Florida.
As partially stated in the mission statement, FWF serves a wide range of people, including those suffering from cancer and their families, veterans, and those with disabilities. Frenkel began her venture into the world of disabled boating in 1999. Although her early efforts predated FWF’s founding in 2006, they represented her entry into the boating world and had an unlikely start. “I came down to Florida with the intention …show more content…
That year she met John Weller, who later co-founded FWF with her. Weller has been a yacht broker for over 30 years and currently serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
“His was the very first door that I knocked on. Within 24 hours he had me working for a new yacht building company at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show,” she added. The boat show led Frenkel to a position that found her achieving her goal of being on the water as the clock struck midnight on December 31, 1999 to ring in the new millennium.
Frenkel previously earned her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. After arriving in Florida, it was to Chicago that she returned for three summers to run a disabled boating program. She also continued to work annually at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.
She was struck by the disparity between those who were disabled and often struggled for income, and the wealth that was evident at the boat show. She wanted to avail the resources of the yacht world to those without the financial means for boating, but who perhaps would most benefit from the tranquility and independence of being on water. She recalls thinking at time of the two divergent groups, “Someday they’re going to be married. I don’t know how, but some day they …show more content…
“ ‘Thank you so much this is the first time we’ve been able to relax in our two years since the diagnosis [of illness]’,” said Frenkel, describing a typical reaction to a day on the water.
Some of FWF’s clients have returned from war and may be struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); the water has the same calming effect that draws millions to America’s coastal areas.
The many volunteers that aid the Foundation often find it as rewarding as the clients.
FWF only owns one boat, and they procure the volunteer usage of boats primarily through word of mouth and appearances at yacht and boat clubs. Although they now have a list of boat owners who offer their services, they are always looking for additional ones.
FWF has received national media attention and fielded calls from across the country about possible expanded ventures, but Frenkel is content with the size of the foundation at present. Their program offerings continue to expand and along with the Weller Days include the mentioned veterans’ days, adaptive sailing, and fishing expeditions, to name a
As partially stated in the mission statement, FWF serves a wide range of people, including those suffering from cancer and their families, veterans, and those with disabilities. Frenkel began her venture into the world of disabled boating in 1999. Although her early efforts predated FWF’s founding in 2006, they represented her entry into the boating world and had an unlikely start. “I came down to Florida with the intention …show more content…
That year she met John Weller, who later co-founded FWF with her. Weller has been a yacht broker for over 30 years and currently serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
“His was the very first door that I knocked on. Within 24 hours he had me working for a new yacht building company at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show,” she added. The boat show led Frenkel to a position that found her achieving her goal of being on the water as the clock struck midnight on December 31, 1999 to ring in the new millennium.
Frenkel previously earned her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. After arriving in Florida, it was to Chicago that she returned for three summers to run a disabled boating program. She also continued to work annually at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.
She was struck by the disparity between those who were disabled and often struggled for income, and the wealth that was evident at the boat show. She wanted to avail the resources of the yacht world to those without the financial means for boating, but who perhaps would most benefit from the tranquility and independence of being on water. She recalls thinking at time of the two divergent groups, “Someday they’re going to be married. I don’t know how, but some day they …show more content…
“ ‘Thank you so much this is the first time we’ve been able to relax in our two years since the diagnosis [of illness]’,” said Frenkel, describing a typical reaction to a day on the water.
Some of FWF’s clients have returned from war and may be struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); the water has the same calming effect that draws millions to America’s coastal areas.
The many volunteers that aid the Foundation often find it as rewarding as the clients.
FWF only owns one boat, and they procure the volunteer usage of boats primarily through word of mouth and appearances at yacht and boat clubs. Although they now have a list of boat owners who offer their services, they are always looking for additional ones.
FWF has received national media attention and fielded calls from across the country about possible expanded ventures, but Frenkel is content with the size of the foundation at present. Their program offerings continue to expand and along with the Weller Days include the mentioned veterans’ days, adaptive sailing, and fishing expeditions, to name a