SailFuture Programs
SailFuture Residential Program
Transforming lives through residential care, education, mental health services, vocational training, and global sailing expeditions.
Our Homes
Our Waterfront Home
‘Waterfront’ is a special oasis nestled at the southernmost point of St. Pete. Dolphins often play in the backyard while the boys do cannonballs in the pool.
Our training vessels are docked behind the house and kayaks and small sailboats can be launched from the seawall.
Only 60 young men have called ‘waterfront’ Home since we opened our doors in 2016.
We are proud of the community we have built for our kids past and present and enjoy big gatherings for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthdays.
Licensing
- Designation: At-Risk
- Capacity: 6
- Ages: 12 - 18
House Parent Model
We don’t believe in shift staff. Up to four loving house parents call Waterfront home and co-parent our boys through the ups and downs of life.
Bedroom Layout
Six boys share three bedrooms. There are bunk beds and a shared bathroom for each room.
Amenities
- Swimming Pool
- Pool Table
- MakerSpace / Workshop
- Kayaks / Paddleboards
- Movie Room
Our Lakewood Estates Home
‘Lakewood’ is a 5,000sqft home in south St. Pete that our graduates fully renovated into their ‘dream’ foster group home. This included large bedrooms with queen sized bunk beds, a big family kitchen, a pool table, and a blackout movie room.
48 young men have called Lakewood home since we opened our doors in 2018 and many of the boys stayed with us until they aged out.
Licensing
- Designation: At-Risk
- Capacity: 6
- Ages: 12 - 18
House Parent Model
We don’t believe in shift staff. Up to four loving house parents call the Lakewood home and co-parent our boys through the ups and downs of life.
Bedroom Layout
Six boys share three bedrooms. There are bunk beds and a shared bathroom for each room.
Amenities
- Swimming Pool
- Pool Table
- Kayaks / Paddleboards
- Movie Room
- Basketball Hoop
SailFuture Residential Features
Adventure-Based Mental Health Services
Our in-house therapeutic approach combines activity-driven individual and group counseling to create a more effective way to deliver therapy that engages even the most resistant teens.
International Sailing Expeditions
Life-changing oceanic journeys that push boundaries, build teamwork, and provide global perspectives unavailable in traditional treatment settings.
Live-in House Parents
Our homes are led by passionate live-in parents, who are talented professionals from unique industries and backgrounds.
Independent Living Transition & Support
Sustained guidance aiming to facilitate a successful transition to independence both before and beyond the age-out milestone.
SailFuture Academy
Our accredited educational program combines personalized academics with experiential learning to help students reconnect with their intellectual potential.
Life Skills Training
Students benefit from a comprehensive independent living curriculum administered by on-site live-in mentors.
Paid Job Training
Real-world employment opportunities that develop marketable skills, financial literacy, and workplace confidence while connecting youth with their professional futures.
Sobriety Program
Monthly drug testing, paid extracurricular activities and $300 / month sobriety stipends help our boys remain sober and focused on their goals.
Youth Incentives & Programming
Our program is designed to motivate and reward progress through a series of incentives that align with our core values of growth, responsibility, and community.
- Tiered Privileges: As youth demonstrate responsibility and achieve personal goals, they earn access to increased privileges, such as later curfews, more independent outings, and leadership roles within the home.
- Experiential Rewards: Opportunities to participate in special activities like local sporting events, concerts, camping trips, and other recreational outings based on positive behavior and program engagement.
- Educational & Vocational Bonuses: Incentives for academic achievements, completion of vocational training milestones, and securing part-time employment or internships.
- Global Sailing Expeditions: The ultimate incentive, offering a transformative experience for youth who meet specific long-term goals and demonstrate readiness for such a significant adventure.
- Community Contributions: Recognition and rewards for active participation in community service projects and positive contributions to the household environment.
Youth Referral Process
Placement Criteria
The ideal child for SailFuture is a 12 - 17 years old male who is currently stable or has recently entered care. The magic of the SailFuture experience starts with a passionate placement team who knows that they can transform the trajectory of a kiddos life by placing him in the right place at the right time.
This typically involves placement teams carefully reviewing kids who are otherwise stable in another at-risk placements, but their potential is limited by that program’s offerings or model.
While we consider each referral individually, these factors help determine appropriate fit:
We Can Best Serve Youth Who:
- Are motivated to participate in a structured environment
- Would benefit from our adventure-based programming
- Have potential for academic engagement
- Has an interest in travel or water-based experiences
- Review Current Stable Placements (This seems like an action, not a criteria - including as per provided text)
Thoughtful Consideration Required For:
- Youth with recent significant violent behavior
- Youth with acute, untreated psychiatric needs
- Youth with severe intellectual disabilities that would prevent program participation
- Youth with medical conditions that make international travel and long offshore passages untenable
Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
Uncertain if SailFuture is the right fit? Book a 15-minute placement consultation with our Director of Admissions to discuss your specific case and explore options.
We understand the complexities of placing teenage boys in care. Let's work together to find the right solution—even if it's outside our program.
Ready to refer a youth? Have questions about our process?
