‘If you believe in what you are doing then let nothing stand in your way.

The best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities.”

The world right now is full of uncertainty, but at the Community Boat Project we have not lost our focus. “Building a stronger community by giving youth job and life skills through adult mentorship.” This has kept us grounded in the maelstrom.

We shut down all operations for the first few months. But through it all maintained communication with our students, interns and mentors.

In July the Shop reopened for just our small group of interns to wrap up projects and finish off their internships. Polly’s tiny house was finalized and delivered. The Makinaw Boat was likewise delivered to her new owner.

Throughout the sunny summer months we had community boating days with the Dragonheart and Felicity Ann. Volunteers, students and interns went rowing and sailing every week that the weather permitted.

This fall marks the start of the second year of Shelter From the Storm, our paid internship program. Young adults aged 18-24 work in our shop, learn and build. This year we had way more applications than spots available and even have a waiting list for the next round.

Striking a balance between caution and fulfilling our mission has been an ongoing challenge in these times. We have decided to put our Boatbuilding/woodworking program on hold for now. While volunteers and mentors are our stock in trade, we have had to limit and stagger the number of people in our spaces. For now our interns work with a small selection of staff and volunteers to complete this autumn’s projects.

Due to popular demand the Voyaging Program has also restarted with appropriate precautions. New crew members have brought good energy to the group, and returning students (some on their 4th year!) provide wonderful mentorship and continuity. We expect great things of this group!

All in all, the Community Boat Project took a deep breath and continues to thrive, sharing it’s lust for life and passion for learning. We are incredibly grateful to our community for its connection and support during these times. “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

Kipling has great advice for these times:

If you can keep your head when all about you

    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

    But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

    Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated don’t give way to hating,

    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise