Running consecutive trips for groups with vastly different special-needs can be a mental and emotional workout. Yesterday, for example… a grieving family came out with us. It wasn’t a case of a family member passing away. It was a case of the father having to leave to serve a jail term. The children and wife were suffering terribly and they needed a family educational adventure to have as a memory. They had a blast and built a beautiful memory together.
Minutes after they disembarked the next group came aboard… children at high risk as a result of their parents’ involvement in the drug culture. They came to us with therapists from our collaborating partner, Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM). They children learned a great deal about part of the world they new little-to-nothing about.
The needs of these two specific groups were very different, yet each was a special need that SOFTIN is perfectly and uniquely positioned to fill with an at-sea educational, self esteem and skill building adventure. It gave the grieving family a time of togetherness and adventure to cherish during the forced separation. It gave the children at risk a look outside the box they usually live in, gave them a taste of adventure and a sense of what lifestyles they could strive to live and what waterfront or at-sea professions they could aspire to.
Meeting varied special-needs is challenging yet equally rewarding because we see so clearly that we are helping special needs people in profound and unique ways. We sure could use your help. Will you contact us and offer to help fund our work?
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director, SOFTIN
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
dbacon@softininc.org(805) 895-3273 (my cell phone to call and arrange a donation)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Car show community awareness event a success for SOFTIN
Hundreds of spectators had a blast admiring well over one hundred show cars decked out in stunning details and shining like a noonday sun at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. There were muscle cars with engine parts poking up above their hoods and every inch of engine compartment in use. There were classic cars which brought back many a wonderful memory for those of us old enough to remember playing in those cars. There were lowriders with amazing paint jobs and innovative modifications. There were custom-built bicycles that stopped spectators in their tracks. There was plenty to see.
There was plenty to do, as well. A live band, RedFish classic rock band, donated their time to play toe-tapping music inside the domed building the whole day and keep our spirits soaring. Two DJs (Mike “the Cholo” DJ performed as a volunteer and also handled the awards ceremony) played in different areas on the grassy areas outside the building. A fine showing of vendors gave car show owners and spectators alike plenty to shop for. A used book sale table offered attractions to avid readers. A silent auction provided a method for folks to support SOFTIN and buy wonderful goods, services and adventures. A kiddy corner – complete with fun and games – gave the little ones plenty of action and honed their game skills.
The show finished with a raffle drawing and trophy awards for the best show vehicles in dozens of classes. A truckload of trophies were awarded. We wished we had planned for one more category… not for show cars, but for the best dancers. One couple in particular, who did win a trophy for their truck, would also have left with a trophy for best dancers. They just couldn’t help but move to the music of RedFish inside and the DJs outside.
A heartwarming act of SOFTIN mission support brought tears to many an eye. Actually, two acts. The gentleman who won the 50/50 raffle (50/50 meaning that the prize was 50% of the raffle ticket sales money) put his winnings into the SOFTIN donation jug. The second act was when the same gentlemen won the other cash prize (donated along with a raffle prize) and also put that money into the donation jug. His name is withheld by request, otherwise we would shout his name from the rooftops. He’s our hero.
SOFTIN thanks our volunteers and the community (especially the car culture community) for their generous outpouring of support. Proceeds from SOFTIN events support our programs to provide at-sea education and skill-building adventures for the disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk.
Capt. David Bacon
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
There was plenty to do, as well. A live band, RedFish classic rock band, donated their time to play toe-tapping music inside the domed building the whole day and keep our spirits soaring. Two DJs (Mike “the Cholo” DJ performed as a volunteer and also handled the awards ceremony) played in different areas on the grassy areas outside the building. A fine showing of vendors gave car show owners and spectators alike plenty to shop for. A used book sale table offered attractions to avid readers. A silent auction provided a method for folks to support SOFTIN and buy wonderful goods, services and adventures. A kiddy corner – complete with fun and games – gave the little ones plenty of action and honed their game skills.
The show finished with a raffle drawing and trophy awards for the best show vehicles in dozens of classes. A truckload of trophies were awarded. We wished we had planned for one more category… not for show cars, but for the best dancers. One couple in particular, who did win a trophy for their truck, would also have left with a trophy for best dancers. They just couldn’t help but move to the music of RedFish inside and the DJs outside.
A heartwarming act of SOFTIN mission support brought tears to many an eye. Actually, two acts. The gentleman who won the 50/50 raffle (50/50 meaning that the prize was 50% of the raffle ticket sales money) put his winnings into the SOFTIN donation jug. The second act was when the same gentlemen won the other cash prize (donated along with a raffle prize) and also put that money into the donation jug. His name is withheld by request, otherwise we would shout his name from the rooftops. He’s our hero.
SOFTIN thanks our volunteers and the community (especially the car culture community) for their generous outpouring of support. Proceeds from SOFTIN events support our programs to provide at-sea education and skill-building adventures for the disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk.
Capt. David Bacon
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
Friday, July 24, 2009
Five battered families served by SOFTIN in one very special evening
Five families living under abusive conditions, and trying to break the patterns of abuse, had a chance for a healing adventure thanks to a special trip arranged by SOFTIN in collaboration with Capt. Jason Diamond, owner/operator of the vessel Stardust in Santa Barbara. A special “Thank you” to Capt. Jason and his crew, Sal and KC.
These families are in a special program, working with therapists from Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM)… a collaborator of SOFTIN’s. CALM contacted SOFTIN and we put together a special evening trip for this large group.
The weather was perfect, seas were calm, critters were friendly and in wonderful abundance. A special treat was cruising slowly by a navigation buoy in use by nearly a dozen California sea lions hauled out and sunning themselves. We studied pinnipeds, shore birds and pelagic sea birds and plant life. We talked about local shipwrecks, conservation, water quality management, marine debris prevention and wildlife management as we taught the principles of ethical angling. The kids had a blast catching a releasing fish and it was readily apparent that some of them discovered a healthy outdoors hobby.
One of our volunteers noted that the children had come aboard with traces of sadness in their eyes, but left with smiling faces and eyes lit up with the joy of adventure.
Capt. David Bacon
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com/
These families are in a special program, working with therapists from Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM)… a collaborator of SOFTIN’s. CALM contacted SOFTIN and we put together a special evening trip for this large group.
The weather was perfect, seas were calm, critters were friendly and in wonderful abundance. A special treat was cruising slowly by a navigation buoy in use by nearly a dozen California sea lions hauled out and sunning themselves. We studied pinnipeds, shore birds and pelagic sea birds and plant life. We talked about local shipwrecks, conservation, water quality management, marine debris prevention and wildlife management as we taught the principles of ethical angling. The kids had a blast catching a releasing fish and it was readily apparent that some of them discovered a healthy outdoors hobby.
One of our volunteers noted that the children had come aboard with traces of sadness in their eyes, but left with smiling faces and eyes lit up with the joy of adventure.
Capt. David Bacon
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Car Show FUNdraiser countdown
Final days of preparations brought many pleasant surprises for SOFTIN’s car show and silent auction, this Saturday (July 25th) at Santa Barbara’s Earl Warren Showgrounds at Las Positas offramp from the 101 freeway, 10:00am to 4:00pm. We have commitments from many car clubs to bring their gorgeous show cars… hotrods, classics, lowriders, trucks and even custom bicycles. We have good turnout from the vendor community with lots of goods and services represented. Stacks of great used books will be for sale at a special table. We’ll have games and plenty for kids to do. Adults and kids alike will enjoy listening to RedFish classic rock band. We expect two DJ’s to mix music, games, fun and announcements. Take a chance on a valuable raffle. A huge rack of trophies will be awarded to the best show cars, trucks and bicycles. Judging will be done by professionals. Food and drinks are available at the concession stand in the dome.
We’re ready to roll out a great show. All we need now is a solid turnout from the community. Please plan to come and generously support SOFTIN’s programs. If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting SOFTIN by using the Donate Now button here on SOFTIN’s blogspot page.
Capt. David Bacon
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
PS: More detailed information about the car show/silent auction is at: http://www.softininc.org/SOFTIN/Fundraising_Event.html
We’re ready to roll out a great show. All we need now is a solid turnout from the community. Please plan to come and generously support SOFTIN’s programs. If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting SOFTIN by using the Donate Now button here on SOFTIN’s blogspot page.
Capt. David Bacon
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
PS: More detailed information about the car show/silent auction is at: http://www.softininc.org/SOFTIN/Fundraising_Event.html
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Boat work... the other full time SOFTIN job
Anything that has to do with boats comes with a hidden agenda… boat work. SOFTIN’s good deeds are no exception. For every hour spent with our special-needs passengers, there is an hour and a half worth of boat work to do.
A SOFTIN day begins at the office getting the paperwork ready and progresses to the boat well in advance of the time we plan to meet the passengers. The boat must be cleaned and made safe and presentable inside and out (even though it may have been cleaned after a trip the day before… there are birds around the harbor, don’t ya know). Life vests must be checked. Curriculum supplies must be checked and stowed in a readily-accessible location. There must be time to check the boat’s electrical systems, navigational and hazard avoidance systems and steering. We start and warm up the motors, while listening to the latest reports on the marine radio station. We begin the passenger manifest and prepare the mandatory paperwork for the passengers or their caregivers to read, fill-out and sign.
Now the real fun begins. Once the passengers arrive the crew is thoroughly enjoying ourselves meeting and getting to know the people, fitting life vests and giving a safety orientation so that everyone feels and behaves safely. Now we get to cast off and work through our curriculum, tailored to meet the special needs of this particular group of people. We are flexible enough to bring the adventure to life for the people we serve.
After the trip and the passengers leave, more boat work remains. We go to the fuel dock, fill up and return to the slip. We write logs and file paperwork. We stow safety gear and curriculum materials where they belong. We clean the boat again, just as thoroughly as before the trip. Finally we lock up the vessel and go back to the office to catch up on business matters and line up more SOFTIN excursions before going home to a much-needed meal and a well-deserved night’s sleep.
There may be a lot to it, but SOFTIN work is bliss because it is deeply touching to help special needs people so profoundly.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org
www.softininc.blogspot.com
A SOFTIN day begins at the office getting the paperwork ready and progresses to the boat well in advance of the time we plan to meet the passengers. The boat must be cleaned and made safe and presentable inside and out (even though it may have been cleaned after a trip the day before… there are birds around the harbor, don’t ya know). Life vests must be checked. Curriculum supplies must be checked and stowed in a readily-accessible location. There must be time to check the boat’s electrical systems, navigational and hazard avoidance systems and steering. We start and warm up the motors, while listening to the latest reports on the marine radio station. We begin the passenger manifest and prepare the mandatory paperwork for the passengers or their caregivers to read, fill-out and sign.
Now the real fun begins. Once the passengers arrive the crew is thoroughly enjoying ourselves meeting and getting to know the people, fitting life vests and giving a safety orientation so that everyone feels and behaves safely. Now we get to cast off and work through our curriculum, tailored to meet the special needs of this particular group of people. We are flexible enough to bring the adventure to life for the people we serve.
After the trip and the passengers leave, more boat work remains. We go to the fuel dock, fill up and return to the slip. We write logs and file paperwork. We stow safety gear and curriculum materials where they belong. We clean the boat again, just as thoroughly as before the trip. Finally we lock up the vessel and go back to the office to catch up on business matters and line up more SOFTIN excursions before going home to a much-needed meal and a well-deserved night’s sleep.
There may be a lot to it, but SOFTIN work is bliss because it is deeply touching to help special needs people so profoundly.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org
www.softininc.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
SOFTIN's Needs
SOFTIN has some immediate needs and also ongoing needs you may hopefully be able to help with.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS:
Our major fundraiser and community awareness raiser event, a car show and silent auction, is coming right up… Saturday, July 25th at Earl Warren Showgrounds at the 101 freeway and Las Positas offramp in Santa Barbara. The show runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Our needs are for donated items of value for the silent auction. Can you help? Please send items (shipped to arrive before July 25th) to SOFTIN’s offices at 691 Camino Campana, Santa Barbara, Ca 93111. Your donations will help support SOFTIN’s programs for disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk.
We want to see a great community turnout, so please exercise your own social networking capabilities to help us get the community there.
ONGOING NEEDS:
The educational adventure programs of SOFTIN require cash funding. Please help. There is a Paypal button on this blogspot page. We can also accept credit card deposits. Just call us at (805) 895-3273 to arrange your donation. Please mail checks (made out to SOFTIN, Inc.) to us at: 691 Camino Campana, Santa Barbara, Ca 93111.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com
PS: Expect to owe state or federal taxes? You can give money to SOFTIN to reduce your tax burden. And we'll do GOOD works with your money!
IMMEDIATE NEEDS:
Our major fundraiser and community awareness raiser event, a car show and silent auction, is coming right up… Saturday, July 25th at Earl Warren Showgrounds at the 101 freeway and Las Positas offramp in Santa Barbara. The show runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Our needs are for donated items of value for the silent auction. Can you help? Please send items (shipped to arrive before July 25th) to SOFTIN’s offices at 691 Camino Campana, Santa Barbara, Ca 93111. Your donations will help support SOFTIN’s programs for disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk.
We want to see a great community turnout, so please exercise your own social networking capabilities to help us get the community there.
ONGOING NEEDS:
The educational adventure programs of SOFTIN require cash funding. Please help. There is a Paypal button on this blogspot page. We can also accept credit card deposits. Just call us at (805) 895-3273 to arrange your donation. Please mail checks (made out to SOFTIN, Inc.) to us at: 691 Camino Campana, Santa Barbara, Ca 93111.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com
PS: Expect to owe state or federal taxes? You can give money to SOFTIN to reduce your tax burden. And we'll do GOOD works with your money!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Our mission and curriculum, your mission
Our Mission Statement
With funding from the public, SOFTIN enables the disabled, builds self-esteem in the physically and mentally impaired, helps victims of abuse overcome trauma, assists elderly in living fuller lives, educates children and teaches troubled youth the values of nature, conservation and community spirit... all through unique and tailored at-sea learning/research experiences.
Curriculum specifics (short version)
Teaching enabling life skills and sense of self esteem to challenged special-needs people (including disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly, youths-at-risk) though one-on-one, hands-on educational lessons and experiences at sea; practicing marlinspike seamanship; viewing, identification and monitoring of marine mammals and seabirds; demonstrating subsistence/recreational fishing skills focused on the principles of ethical angling; teaching ocean conservation values and water quality issues; learning about the people, infrastructure, vessel types and job/career opportunities among our waterfront communities; monitoring and educating the public and resource managers about sea life and habitat.
Your Mission Statement
Help us help them. Your tax deductible donation to SOFTIN, Inc. will enrich the lives of the disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, elderly and youths-at-risk we serve. Give them educational experiences and skills that they would otherwise never gain. Imagine the nurturing power of close interaction with the creatures of the sea – mammals, birds, fish, shellfish and plants. Imagine their joy of learning life-enriching knowledge and skills including reading the signs of weather, monitoring various marine life, fishing, working with ropes, learning to use charts/maps and understanding the lifestyle and career possibilities of the waterfront community. Finally, imagine the genuine and profound appreciation of the special people we serve and empower to live fuller lives. Our mission is made possible by your mission. Give generously and do it now because the need is now.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director, SOFTIN
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com
With funding from the public, SOFTIN enables the disabled, builds self-esteem in the physically and mentally impaired, helps victims of abuse overcome trauma, assists elderly in living fuller lives, educates children and teaches troubled youth the values of nature, conservation and community spirit... all through unique and tailored at-sea learning/research experiences.
Curriculum specifics (short version)
Teaching enabling life skills and sense of self esteem to challenged special-needs people (including disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly, youths-at-risk) though one-on-one, hands-on educational lessons and experiences at sea; practicing marlinspike seamanship; viewing, identification and monitoring of marine mammals and seabirds; demonstrating subsistence/recreational fishing skills focused on the principles of ethical angling; teaching ocean conservation values and water quality issues; learning about the people, infrastructure, vessel types and job/career opportunities among our waterfront communities; monitoring and educating the public and resource managers about sea life and habitat.
Your Mission Statement
Help us help them. Your tax deductible donation to SOFTIN, Inc. will enrich the lives of the disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, elderly and youths-at-risk we serve. Give them educational experiences and skills that they would otherwise never gain. Imagine the nurturing power of close interaction with the creatures of the sea – mammals, birds, fish, shellfish and plants. Imagine their joy of learning life-enriching knowledge and skills including reading the signs of weather, monitoring various marine life, fishing, working with ropes, learning to use charts/maps and understanding the lifestyle and career possibilities of the waterfront community. Finally, imagine the genuine and profound appreciation of the special people we serve and empower to live fuller lives. Our mission is made possible by your mission. Give generously and do it now because the need is now.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director, SOFTIN
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Foster care kids - serving a disability of neglect
Disabilities and impairments come in many forms, some are difficult to fathom but just as real as a leg that cannot support weight. One such condition we see on SOFTIN trips is a disability caused by neglect. From among the various groups we serve, this is most readily apparent among foster kids. The sad truth is that too many foster parents are in it for the monthly check and the kids suffer from lack of homespun education and familial experiences They struggle with who they are and what they are capable of. These are the forgotten kids of our society and become our youths-at-risk.
I’m happy to report that not all foster parents are like that, and we can see tremendous differences among foster care kids. During our trips, we strive to serve the needs of each individual as can only be done in small group settings with nearly one-on-one caregiving.
Seafaring Opportunities For Those In Need (SOFTIN), Inc., adjusts our curriculum differently to meet the needs of the physically disabled, or the mentally impaired, or terminally ill, or neglected kids. When foster care kids come aboard, we give them a great deal of personal attention, listen to them when they share their own stories, and focus on the educational aspect of our trips. We also strive to help create that important emotional connection to the critters of the sea, which becomes a very healing force.
Interestingly, foster kids tend to focus most attentively (and more so than any other group) on our talks about job and career opportunities along the waterfront and at sea. What they are capable of and what they can accomplish in their lives are areas where they have commonly had the least adult input yet have the greatest hunger for knowledge. By feeding that hunger for information and knowledge, we empower them to see themselves in satisfying professional roles such as Coast Guard crew, Harbor Patrol Officers, vessel-for-hire crew and eventually captain, commercial fishers, oil rig workers, chandlery clerks, waterfront custodians, seafood chefs and numerous other seafaring positions.
By inviting foster care kids to see themselves in these positions, they feel empowered to develop and believe in a professional goal. In turn, this motivates them to become academic achievers and have a dream to believe in and work towards. And that… is the greatest lesson we can possibly teach.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
I’m happy to report that not all foster parents are like that, and we can see tremendous differences among foster care kids. During our trips, we strive to serve the needs of each individual as can only be done in small group settings with nearly one-on-one caregiving.
Seafaring Opportunities For Those In Need (SOFTIN), Inc., adjusts our curriculum differently to meet the needs of the physically disabled, or the mentally impaired, or terminally ill, or neglected kids. When foster care kids come aboard, we give them a great deal of personal attention, listen to them when they share their own stories, and focus on the educational aspect of our trips. We also strive to help create that important emotional connection to the critters of the sea, which becomes a very healing force.
Interestingly, foster kids tend to focus most attentively (and more so than any other group) on our talks about job and career opportunities along the waterfront and at sea. What they are capable of and what they can accomplish in their lives are areas where they have commonly had the least adult input yet have the greatest hunger for knowledge. By feeding that hunger for information and knowledge, we empower them to see themselves in satisfying professional roles such as Coast Guard crew, Harbor Patrol Officers, vessel-for-hire crew and eventually captain, commercial fishers, oil rig workers, chandlery clerks, waterfront custodians, seafood chefs and numerous other seafaring positions.
By inviting foster care kids to see themselves in these positions, they feel empowered to develop and believe in a professional goal. In turn, this motivates them to become academic achievers and have a dream to believe in and work towards. And that… is the greatest lesson we can possibly teach.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Public service announcements for car show
We are getting good publicity for SOFTIN's car show & silent auction, sceduled for Saturday, July 25th at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara (101 fwy and Los Positas exit).
During the weeks before the event, the following radio stations/shows have agreed to air our Public Service Announcements:
KZSB
Fish Talk
KDB
KMIX
Gold Coast
KVTA
KDAR
KRUZ
Magic
This list is a work-in-progress and we anticipate adding to the list.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
Seafaring Oppotunities For Those In Need (SOFTIN), Inc.
dbacon@softininc.org
http://www.softininc.org/
During the weeks before the event, the following radio stations/shows have agreed to air our Public Service Announcements:
KZSB
Fish Talk
KDB
KMIX
Gold Coast
KVTA
KDAR
KRUZ
Magic
This list is a work-in-progress and we anticipate adding to the list.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
Seafaring Oppotunities For Those In Need (SOFTIN), Inc.
dbacon@softininc.org
http://www.softininc.org/
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Special preparations for special adventures with special-needs people
Preparing for a SOFTIN trip is such a special time for the crew. Sure, there is always the boat preparation work to do because we run a clean and tidy vessel, but we also go through an emotional preparedness process that begins with eager anticipation.
Eagerness stems from knowing we are preparing to help people gain profound experiences by connecting them with nature and sea critters in a new (to them) environment. You see…very few of the special needs people we serve have experience on boats. This is new, wild and a little intimidating at first. So we prepare ourselves to be calming influences and earn our passengers trust by interacting directly and openly and by showing seagoing competence. The kids are generally pretty quick to recognize us as trustworthy people and that helps tremendously as they work to feel comfortable on a moving boat.
We prepare the passengers by talking to them about the boat and the sea and telling them stories, as we fit their life preservers and take care of paperwork. We provide a brief safety orientation and then we cast off. Once free from shore… the adventure begins!
You can learn more about the adventure by visiting our website, www.softininc.org. While visiting, please check out the page about our car show/silent auction fundraising event.
Eagerness stems from knowing we are preparing to help people gain profound experiences by connecting them with nature and sea critters in a new (to them) environment. You see…very few of the special needs people we serve have experience on boats. This is new, wild and a little intimidating at first. So we prepare ourselves to be calming influences and earn our passengers trust by interacting directly and openly and by showing seagoing competence. The kids are generally pretty quick to recognize us as trustworthy people and that helps tremendously as they work to feel comfortable on a moving boat.
We prepare the passengers by talking to them about the boat and the sea and telling them stories, as we fit their life preservers and take care of paperwork. We provide a brief safety orientation and then we cast off. Once free from shore… the adventure begins!
You can learn more about the adventure by visiting our website, www.softininc.org. While visiting, please check out the page about our car show/silent auction fundraising event.
Monday, June 29, 2009
What tugs at our heartstrings
Sharing something that just tugs at my heartstrings… when a severely impaired child disembarks -- after having an educational adventure so inspiring that the child forgets all about impairments for a couple of hours and becomes a happy kid interacting with the critters of the sea -- gets about halfway up the ramp to the marina gate, turns back, ambles quickly back down to the SOFTIN crew, wraps arms around us and says, “Thank you. I had fun and I want to go again.”
The SOFTIN crew has been deeply touched by many such emotional displays of honest and unrestrained feelings. After wards, we share a good cry together and thank heavens for being able to do such wonderful good work.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTINwww.softininc.org
The SOFTIN crew has been deeply touched by many such emotional displays of honest and unrestrained feelings. After wards, we share a good cry together and thank heavens for being able to do such wonderful good work.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTINwww.softininc.org
Friday, June 26, 2009
Car show page added to SOFTIN's website
SOFTIN's website has been updated to include a special page for our car show and silent auction fundraiser, scheduled for July 25th at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. The page URL is: http://www.softininc.org/SOFTIN/Fundraising_Event.html
You are encouraged to visit our website and also attend our fun fundraiser.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
You are encouraged to visit our website and also attend our fun fundraiser.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Paypal installed to facilitate online donations
We just completed installation of a Paypal account to make it easier for helpful folks to donate to SOFTIN. The username needed for donating is: dbacon@softininc.org
Your donations make life enriching experiences available for special needs people.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org
Your donations make life enriching experiences available for special needs people.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Letter of support for SOFTIN from C.A.L.M.
Letter of Recommendation for SOFTIN
Of all the special-needs people SOFTIN serves, perhaps the most complex are victims of abuse and troubled families in need of direction. In an earlier blog entry, I listed some of our collaborating partners. One is Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM). These good folks provide highly specialized services to traumatized children who have suffered from abuse and neglect and to families in need of help to regroup and move forward in a positive and nurturing manner. SOFTIN is proud to help CALM provide meaningful experiences and opportunities for growth to the people we serve collaboratively.
Below is a letter of recommendation and support for SOFTIN, written recently by the Executive Director of CALM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 4, 2009
To whom it may concern:
In the course of our work here at CALM we work with children that have been neglected, exposed to violence and abused. Often they have few areas in which they feel competent. I can’t express what a joy it has been to witness the changes that occur in children when they are given the opportunity to have hands-on learning and fun such as that provided by SOFTIN. The at-sea experiences have been a once in a life time adventure for the children and families that we serve. It has been so beneficial because our mission is to prevent child abuse; providing parenting education and promoting positive experiences among family members. After one of our families went on one of Captain Dave’s trips she wrote that it was the best experience that their family ever had together.
We will certainly continue our ongoing collaborative relationship and it is with pleasure that I lend CALM’s support to SOFTIN.
Sincerely
Cecilia Rodriguez MFT
Executive Director
CALM
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
http://www.softininc.org/
PS: We reach out for people to serve, through networks of good people. Do you know of a special-needs child? Do you know of an organization who serves special-needs people? Please send them our way.
Of all the special-needs people SOFTIN serves, perhaps the most complex are victims of abuse and troubled families in need of direction. In an earlier blog entry, I listed some of our collaborating partners. One is Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM). These good folks provide highly specialized services to traumatized children who have suffered from abuse and neglect and to families in need of help to regroup and move forward in a positive and nurturing manner. SOFTIN is proud to help CALM provide meaningful experiences and opportunities for growth to the people we serve collaboratively.
Below is a letter of recommendation and support for SOFTIN, written recently by the Executive Director of CALM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 4, 2009
To whom it may concern:
In the course of our work here at CALM we work with children that have been neglected, exposed to violence and abused. Often they have few areas in which they feel competent. I can’t express what a joy it has been to witness the changes that occur in children when they are given the opportunity to have hands-on learning and fun such as that provided by SOFTIN. The at-sea experiences have been a once in a life time adventure for the children and families that we serve. It has been so beneficial because our mission is to prevent child abuse; providing parenting education and promoting positive experiences among family members. After one of our families went on one of Captain Dave’s trips she wrote that it was the best experience that their family ever had together.
We will certainly continue our ongoing collaborative relationship and it is with pleasure that I lend CALM’s support to SOFTIN.
Sincerely
Cecilia Rodriguez MFT
Executive Director
CALM
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
http://www.softininc.org/
PS: We reach out for people to serve, through networks of good people. Do you know of a special-needs child? Do you know of an organization who serves special-needs people? Please send them our way.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Interaction among special-needs kids
SOFTIN’s crew of experienced at-sea educators uses every observational tactic available to assess the effectiveness of an educational adventure on each and every passenger as we work through our curriculum. We’ve learned some really useful techniques and tactics.
One valuable assessment tool is observing interaction between children. Here is what we’ve learned and the approach we’ve developed… special-needs kids typically have an emotional shell they have carefully built up. We recognize it when they come aboard withdrawn, quiet and with little eye-contact. These kids often remain in this mode while we cruise the harbor and give informative talks about the various vessels, structures, points of interest and how the waterfront functions as a community. This works out very well because they quietly soak up all of this information, as evidenced by how they recite some of what they have learned as we cruise back into the harbor at the end of the trip.
Once we begin introducing them to the critters of the sea, things change rapidly. These critters… seals, sea lions, dolphins, cormorants, loons, seagulls and pelicans (including our greatest friend, Bentwing the disabled brown pelican) help us break through the emotional shells. When the youngsters begin interacting with the critters (making sea lion sounds, cheering the dolphins, feeding the birds and other fun stuff), the truly magic moment occurs. They come busting out of their shells and become emotionally normal; happy, fully-engaged, laughing, sharing with the other kids.
This is one of the key things we watch for… how well the kids interact with one another. We’ve learned that once the kids share and play, they are having an exceptionally rare (for them) opportunity to forget their issues. We call it, “living large outside the shell”. Caregivers accompanying the children recognize it to, and they visibly relax and celebrate.
The education and adventure our program provides is wonderfully beneficial, but the carefully-crafted opportunity to “live large outside the shell” is precious.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
http://www.softininc.org/
One valuable assessment tool is observing interaction between children. Here is what we’ve learned and the approach we’ve developed… special-needs kids typically have an emotional shell they have carefully built up. We recognize it when they come aboard withdrawn, quiet and with little eye-contact. These kids often remain in this mode while we cruise the harbor and give informative talks about the various vessels, structures, points of interest and how the waterfront functions as a community. This works out very well because they quietly soak up all of this information, as evidenced by how they recite some of what they have learned as we cruise back into the harbor at the end of the trip.
Once we begin introducing them to the critters of the sea, things change rapidly. These critters… seals, sea lions, dolphins, cormorants, loons, seagulls and pelicans (including our greatest friend, Bentwing the disabled brown pelican) help us break through the emotional shells. When the youngsters begin interacting with the critters (making sea lion sounds, cheering the dolphins, feeding the birds and other fun stuff), the truly magic moment occurs. They come busting out of their shells and become emotionally normal; happy, fully-engaged, laughing, sharing with the other kids.
This is one of the key things we watch for… how well the kids interact with one another. We’ve learned that once the kids share and play, they are having an exceptionally rare (for them) opportunity to forget their issues. We call it, “living large outside the shell”. Caregivers accompanying the children recognize it to, and they visibly relax and celebrate.
The education and adventure our program provides is wonderfully beneficial, but the carefully-crafted opportunity to “live large outside the shell” is precious.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
http://www.softininc.org/
Monday, June 15, 2009
The real story of SOFTIN is stories of people we serve
The real story of SOFTIN is about the changes we bring about in the special-needs people we serve. SOO many have tugged at my heartstrings, but here is a story that has played out similarly many times over, yet always subtly differently because people are all individuals.
Little Stella is an autistic child of six, who came aboard the WaveWalker on a SOFTIN trip, accompanied by her Mom. Stella was having a tough time developing a comfort level with the new experience. She came aboard timid, withdrawn with arms folded and making no eye contact with anyone. She was shaking her head, murmering to herself and periodically asking Mom to take her home. Mom held her, comforted her and quietly insisted she try this for a little while.
As the excursion began, the SOFTIN crew of Ramona Lisa and Capt. Tiffany talked with her and the other passengers about the different kind of boats in the harbor and what each kind of boat is used for. They played color games by pickiing out certain colors. Next they played shapes games. Then everyone picked out boat names they liked. We cruised the harbor and looked at Coast Guard vessels, Harbor Patrol boats, research vessels and others.
We pointed out the critters of the waterfront... harbor seals, night herons, seagulls, cormorants and pelicans. We told the story of Bentwing, the disabled (from birth) brown pelican who made his disability his strength, became a useful member of the waterfront community and likes himself just the way he is. We found Bentwing that day and Stella fed him a fish. Stella and Bentwing liked each other very much.
Next we visited California sea lions hauled out on a buoy outside the harbor. Stella yelled and waved at them and made sounds like they made. We tried a little fishing nearby and Stella caught her first fish. We taught her about it, how it lives and how important clean water is to that fish. Stella learned to thank the fish for the wiggle and let it go.
On the cruise back into the harbor. Stella was excited, animated and talked to everyone aboard about how much fun it was to catch a fish, to feed a pelican and to name all the seagulls.
Back at the dock, Mom expressed her amazement at Stella's progress in just a few hours. Mom appreciated our work so much that she volunteered to help SOFTIN any way she could. We can always use good help. As for Stella... she had a stellar day and didn't want to leave the boat because she had found something to love doing and had made an emotional connection with the critters of the sea. She hugged each of us and loudly proclaimed she wanted to go again. Mom had to pick her up and carry her to get her to leave. Watching them walk up the ramp to go home, with Stella waving at us, all of us were wiping tears from our own cheeks. How could we not?
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
http://www.softininc.org/
Little Stella is an autistic child of six, who came aboard the WaveWalker on a SOFTIN trip, accompanied by her Mom. Stella was having a tough time developing a comfort level with the new experience. She came aboard timid, withdrawn with arms folded and making no eye contact with anyone. She was shaking her head, murmering to herself and periodically asking Mom to take her home. Mom held her, comforted her and quietly insisted she try this for a little while.
As the excursion began, the SOFTIN crew of Ramona Lisa and Capt. Tiffany talked with her and the other passengers about the different kind of boats in the harbor and what each kind of boat is used for. They played color games by pickiing out certain colors. Next they played shapes games. Then everyone picked out boat names they liked. We cruised the harbor and looked at Coast Guard vessels, Harbor Patrol boats, research vessels and others.
We pointed out the critters of the waterfront... harbor seals, night herons, seagulls, cormorants and pelicans. We told the story of Bentwing, the disabled (from birth) brown pelican who made his disability his strength, became a useful member of the waterfront community and likes himself just the way he is. We found Bentwing that day and Stella fed him a fish. Stella and Bentwing liked each other very much.
Next we visited California sea lions hauled out on a buoy outside the harbor. Stella yelled and waved at them and made sounds like they made. We tried a little fishing nearby and Stella caught her first fish. We taught her about it, how it lives and how important clean water is to that fish. Stella learned to thank the fish for the wiggle and let it go.
On the cruise back into the harbor. Stella was excited, animated and talked to everyone aboard about how much fun it was to catch a fish, to feed a pelican and to name all the seagulls.
Back at the dock, Mom expressed her amazement at Stella's progress in just a few hours. Mom appreciated our work so much that she volunteered to help SOFTIN any way she could. We can always use good help. As for Stella... she had a stellar day and didn't want to leave the boat because she had found something to love doing and had made an emotional connection with the critters of the sea. She hugged each of us and loudly proclaimed she wanted to go again. Mom had to pick her up and carry her to get her to leave. Watching them walk up the ramp to go home, with Stella waving at us, all of us were wiping tears from our own cheeks. How could we not?
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
http://www.softininc.org/
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Collaborations to be proud of
We at SOFTIN are proud to have strong collaborations with organizations who bring us the special-needs people they serve. Working together we can do so much more with so much less resource... all to the benefit of the people we are here to serve.
Here are some of our collaborative parters:
Channel Islands YMCA: Noah's Anchorage for youth at risk
Channel Islands YMCA: Isla Vista Teen Center
Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM)
Parents of Special Education
Challengers (a youth sports league for disabled and impaired kids)
Social Services of Kern County (bringing us Foster Kids)
Social Services of Santa Barbara County (soon to be bringing us Foster Kids)
We also collaborate with the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) to offer additional educational experiences to the people we serve. SBMM allows SOFTIN to give free Museum passes to our passengers.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
PS: We welcome collaborative relations. If you are involved with an organization providing services to special-needs people, let's discuss how we can work together.
Here are some of our collaborative parters:
Channel Islands YMCA: Noah's Anchorage for youth at risk
Channel Islands YMCA: Isla Vista Teen Center
Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM)
Parents of Special Education
Challengers (a youth sports league for disabled and impaired kids)
Social Services of Kern County (bringing us Foster Kids)
Social Services of Santa Barbara County (soon to be bringing us Foster Kids)
We also collaborate with the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) to offer additional educational experiences to the people we serve. SBMM allows SOFTIN to give free Museum passes to our passengers.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
PS: We welcome collaborative relations. If you are involved with an organization providing services to special-needs people, let's discuss how we can work together.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
FUNdraiser - car show & silent auction 7-25-09
SOFTIN's first major fundraising and community awareness raising event is a car show and silent auction, Saturday, July 25th 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Earl Warren Showgrounds located at Las Positas and the 101 freeway in Santa Barbara (3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, Ca 93130 for you GPS navigators).
Please come for the fun and to support the work of SOFTIN to bring at-sea education and personal growth experiences to the special-needs community. 100% of the proceeds from the event will benefit our program for disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, elderly and youths-at-rick. Admission is $10 at the entrance. Parking is expected to be $3.
A great number of car clubs from the southwest are coming to support our cause and show their cars. All car and truck types will be on display. A special section (and trophies) for custom bicycles is planned as a special treat.
Speaking of treats, we will have a live band (Redfish) inside and a DJ outside. We'll have vendor booths filled with goodies and representing supporting businesses. We are gathering lots and lots of used books for a big book sale. The silent auction will be stocked with goodies ranging in value from a few bucks on up to thousands. SOFTIN loves kids and we plan to have fun things for the youngsters to do, so bring the whole family and enjoy the day while supporting SOFTIN.
When you get hungry, famous Woody's is the concessionaire at Earl Warren's Showgrounds and Woody's can fix you up with some good grub.
Our sponsors thus far are: Toyota of Santa Barbara and Redfish. We welcome additional sponsors. We have sponsorship packages of $500, $1,000, $2500 and $5,000. Please contact Capt. Tiffany Vague at tvague@softininc.org.
Please come for the fun and to support the work of SOFTIN to bring at-sea education and personal growth experiences to the special-needs community. 100% of the proceeds from the event will benefit our program for disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, elderly and youths-at-rick. Admission is $10 at the entrance. Parking is expected to be $3.
A great number of car clubs from the southwest are coming to support our cause and show their cars. All car and truck types will be on display. A special section (and trophies) for custom bicycles is planned as a special treat.
Speaking of treats, we will have a live band (Redfish) inside and a DJ outside. We'll have vendor booths filled with goodies and representing supporting businesses. We are gathering lots and lots of used books for a big book sale. The silent auction will be stocked with goodies ranging in value from a few bucks on up to thousands. SOFTIN loves kids and we plan to have fun things for the youngsters to do, so bring the whole family and enjoy the day while supporting SOFTIN.
When you get hungry, famous Woody's is the concessionaire at Earl Warren's Showgrounds and Woody's can fix you up with some good grub.
Our sponsors thus far are: Toyota of Santa Barbara and Redfish. We welcome additional sponsors. We have sponsorship packages of $500, $1,000, $2500 and $5,000. Please contact Capt. Tiffany Vague at tvague@softininc.org.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Here is how SOFTIN does our work
Here is how SOFTIN works. We do put together groups of special-needs individuals for our educational adventures, however we primarily collaborate with other nonprofits or government/educational agencies who serve the same special needs community... disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk.
Those organizations or agencies choose from among the people they serve, based upon a needs analysis, rewards system, or whatever is best for them. They bring us 4 or 5 passengers plus 1 or 2 caregivers (for a maximum of 6, our legal limit). We provide our comprehensive curriculum on the water and then the organizatons take the passengers home.
Note that you can find our curriculum on our website, http://www.softininc.org/. Most trips run 2 to 2.5 hours, however we tailor our curriculum, including time, according to the needs of the specific group of passengers.
We operate out of Santa Barbara Harbor and we have expansion plans as funding allows. Also on our website you will find our contact info. Perhaps you have a family member who qualifies? Are you part of an organization serving the same people and would like to collaborate? Will you make a tax-deductible donation? All are welcome reasons to contact us. Or, to express your support (which you can do here as a comment).
Our needs are for special-needs people to serve and funding. We do the rest. SOFTIN's crew is made up of seagoing professionals with backgrounds in working with special-needs people, especially kids.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
Those organizations or agencies choose from among the people they serve, based upon a needs analysis, rewards system, or whatever is best for them. They bring us 4 or 5 passengers plus 1 or 2 caregivers (for a maximum of 6, our legal limit). We provide our comprehensive curriculum on the water and then the organizatons take the passengers home.
Note that you can find our curriculum on our website, http://www.softininc.org/. Most trips run 2 to 2.5 hours, however we tailor our curriculum, including time, according to the needs of the specific group of passengers.
We operate out of Santa Barbara Harbor and we have expansion plans as funding allows. Also on our website you will find our contact info. Perhaps you have a family member who qualifies? Are you part of an organization serving the same people and would like to collaborate? Will you make a tax-deductible donation? All are welcome reasons to contact us. Or, to express your support (which you can do here as a comment).
Our needs are for special-needs people to serve and funding. We do the rest. SOFTIN's crew is made up of seagoing professionals with backgrounds in working with special-needs people, especially kids.
Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
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