Diversity Spotlight: Community Sailing Expands Access to New Orleans’ Waterfront by Offering Empowering Life Lessons and Inclusive Community
Community Sailing New Orleans turned an unused city asset into an inclusive community center in less than a decade. And they’re just getting started. New Orleans is a city surrounded by water, and the organization’s goal is to help everyone enjoy its benefits and safeguard its future.
Turning Heartbreak into Hope
For Greg Rattler, Vice President of the Board of Directors, some of his fondest childhood memories were spending days on Lake Pontchartrain sportfishing with his dad. Growing up on the water, he gained a love and respect for this important resource early on. But Greg knew his experience was very different from many of the youth in New Orleans, whose only memories of the water included floods, hurricanes and evacuations. So when he was approached by local business leaders, including retired Phelps partner John Manard, to bring Community Sailing to the city, he knew he wanted to change people’s relationship with the water and help them find ways to respect and enjoy it like he had.
Since Hurricane Katrina, the area around the West End harbor had fallen into disrepair. CSNOI founders realized this unutilized asset presented a big opportunity. Where there was once a harbor that, historically, had only been available to certain city residents, they could build a place that welcomed people from all backgrounds and ability levels, bringing everyone access to the many benefits of living on the water.
Over the past decade, Community Sailing New Orleans was constructed, always with inclusivity and accessibility top of mind. The entire facility was customized to be ADA compliant, and from the beginning, the founders were intentional about creating a place that would open up sailing to groups that historically hadn’t had access to it. By taking advantage of a dormant asset owned by the city, they were able to fill a critical need that had been overlooked for many years and create so much more than just a sailing center.
Bringing the Benefits of Sailing to All
Through its services, CSNOI strives to provide learning opportunities and memories that participants can take with them long after they return to shore. The Libby and Robert Alexander Sailing Center, the organization’s base of operations, serves as an inclusive community center. The organization’s boats are equipped to accommodate everyone, from adaptive sailing to youth sailing to collegiate sailing, to make sure that anyone who wants to join them on the water can have a great experience. CSNOI aims to tear down the economic, social and physical barriers to the waterfront to help everyone enjoy themselves and actively participate in sailing.
CSNOI’s executive director, Jacob Raymond, says the organization’s benefits extend beyond just a recreational outlet. Being out on the water has therapeutic effects, especially for those dealing with stress and anxiety. It can give them a mental break and a chance to leave their worries on the shore for a while. The organization’s veteran and adaptive programs focus on improving access to these benefits.
Sailing also teaches important life skills like teamwork, communication and confidence, which Jacob says are especially evident in their youth programs. CSNOI offers a variety of youth-oriented programs, from STEM and environmental science lessons to a three-year maritime career development course. These programs teach the future leaders of New Orleans how to problem-solve, build self-confidence and become good stewards of the natural world and its resources.
CSNOI’s services can also be added to other organizations’ programming to provide wholesome, value-added experiences and skill building. They recently teamed up with Son of a Saint on a design, build and sail program. As participants went on sailing excursions and learned about each part of the boat, they designed their own versions of them. Then, at the end of the program, CSNOI had their designs 3D printed into miniature boats for a race, so the kids could see their work in action.
CSNOI offers a variety of programs, and Jacob said they hope participants will keep coming back and feel that the community sailing center belongs to them. The organization’s hope isn’t just to take people sailing once — it’s to have a positive impact on their lives and welcome them to a place where they can feel included, share new and positive experiences, and build bonds with one another. Many of the kids who complete one program return for multiple programs and even to volunteer.
Supporting Access and Inclusivity
When asked how the community can help CSNOI continue to build on its mission, Greg and Jacob explained that financial and in-kind donations go a long way. Individuals and groups can also volunteer or sign up for classes, and their kids can join weekly summer camps starting June 6. All money raised from public classes and corporate outings goes right back into the organization’s youth development programs.
Two of CSNOI’s committed supporters are Phelps Partners Kim Boyle and Nan Alessandra. “I became involved in Community Sailing through my former law partner, mentor and friend, John Manard,” Nan said. “Sailing is one of his passions, shared by his entire family, and he left the practice of law to thoughtfully create an organization that would open sailing up to everyone in the community. John gathered the right people at the right time to bring a mustard seed of an idea to a full-blown tree that bears incredible fruit.”
Both Nan and Kim are actively involved in CSNOI, and Kim’s currently helping to steer the organization on its board of directors. “Community Sailing is an incredible example of how thoughtful planning and intentional inclusion can change the perspective and opportunities for a community,” Kim said.
“You can’t control where the wind comes from, but you can adjust your sails.” Jacob shared this old sailing adage that sums up much of what CSNOI tries to instill in those whose sail with them. The lessons learned from sailing can help participants cope with the challenges they face in the rest of their lives. Community Sailing is committed to bringing these life changing benefits to everyone in the New Orleans area, and Phelps is proud to support their mission of inclusivity and access.
