PWBF is one of the best interactive programs in the world, whose main focus is to help every kid in every way. Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory is located at 4520 Worth ST. near the corner of Kinsey. It’s not that hard to find but basically its on Worth ST. near a big warehouse type of building, and once you see a large steel gate in between two buildings then you know you’re there. The Boat Factory is made of many things, such as kids, its main priority. Building projects and employees are secondary priorities.The Boat Factory is not all about those three examples , but they are what keeps the organization alive. If you’re skeptical then look at me as a prime example.

You might want to disagree about PWBF being the best place for kids to learn, get help and new skills. With me there’s no discussion. When kids come through the door they look to the left and see boats and tools, then they look to the right and see all our stocks of wood. There’s also an area for relaxing and academic work. Ages for kids average from 12 to 19 with some exceptions. Kids like me love the Boat Factory because even though they learn about boat building, they get the chance to recive help with everyday situations. Situations range from school work to outside conflicts and life choices. The kids that are part of the after school program are able to do homework on the computer with assistance from one of the employees. When I got started with PWBF I was not sure of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. So being as confused as I was, my co-workers not knowing gave me words of wisdom. They let me know that even though we’re building boats, there’s way much more to it. To have the ability to build a boat, listen to instructions, help others, and have dedication, shows that your’re on a good path to having success.

I remember one day when Leonard was making a point. If I heard him right he said, “Marcus if it was not for me you wouldn’t be in this program”. Then Marcus said “If it wasn’t for me there wouldn’t be a program.” Marcus was right, so if the program is for the kids, we’ll have to keep them busy with fun and challenging building projects. When I first started, one of the projects I was working on was an 18 ft sailboat with a mast that almost touches the sky. Blue Thunder is what we called it. That sailboat had the whole body and frames, but our jobs was doing repairs and finishing touches. Once that boat was 100% done we sailed it out on the water. To be in a sail boat when the wind is at a pretty high speed is one of the best experiences ever.

Aside from that being the most knowledgeable task, we are also starting a new era of building projects, with our small pond boats. These pond boats are small enough that you can literally pick one up and take it home as a decoration. To be able to produce a boat as good as the one Tim, our Artist in Residence, first designed, they will have to be patient and well aware of how each power tool works. After having those skills down pat there’s no telling what projects they can create.

People that keep the organization running are Brett, the executive director, and Leonard, the program director. In the Boat Factory there’s a small area where they do all of the business type work, in the office. Brett’s job is to run the business in a professional way. He usually has to write grants to certain companies that fund organizations to help kids. The result of getting those grants is it gets bills paid and us employed. Another part of Brett’s job is to make tough and smart decisions, which keeps kids coming in the door and people hearing about the cause.

Leonard’s part is to make sure that things get done when they’re supposed to. Leonard is the one who elaborates on any and every task. To me this is very important because, say if one day a new kid comes in, it’s Leonard’s job to teach him/her everything there is to know about a certain tool or task. Therefore the kid should never be confused or put at risk of getting hurt. I myself label Leonard as the choreographer because he tells everyone which way he think is best and why it isn’t good that way. Another name I gave him is my second boss. Other workers are Tim, Nate, Victoria, and myself.

Victoria is a big part of the Boat Factory because she has teaching and sailing skills. By her being in the office, she gives an extra hand with writing grants and creating a work plan and structure for the whole organization.

I can state once again that if it wasn’t for PWBF I don’t know what path I would have been on after I graduated high school. So in conclusion I say PWBF is the greatest place for active kids to put their energy and will to learn to great use. By doing so, they come out of it knowing that they’re an enormous part of the organization, and hopefully know they’re highly appreciated, so then they’ll leave with a better level of confidence.

PWBF leaves a big print on every kid because once they enter our doors the smell of different types of wood and it being cut triggers their brain. It triggers them in a way where using power tools and producing high quality material comes as second nature. In just having the chance to experience the Boat Factory gives them a step ahead in taking up the art. They also can use the experience to open up doors so then they’ll be an important part in society, with an amazing background to start from.

The idea for a library came out of the realization that literacy was an unavoidable issue that affected the organization’s programming and that PWBF—within their capacities—could address the issue. At a meeting of our Sea Change Committee, a group made up of young participants in our programming, students reported that they were doing homework perhaps three to four times per year. The high school dropout rate for African Americans is 48% and worse for Latinos. For the students that do finish high school, many are socially promoted and graduate unprepared for college or the knowledge based job market we live in today. Why not create an enriching space at the shop with computers and shelves full of maritime books where students can be inspired, build literacy skills and get homework help?

The fundraising happy hour was held at City Tap House in University City and thirty people came. The atmosphere was relaxed and jovial. For many people, they were hearing about the organization for the first time. Brett Hart, PWBF’s executive director, gave a heartfelt speech about PWBF, its history, current programming, and the building of a library we are fundraising for. Probably unbeknownst to him, Brett touched many people when he told an inspiring story about a moment that happened this summer with the kids.

By the end of the night, PWBF had raised nearly $400. A number of people offered in-kind services, such as furniture, computers and books for the library. One supporter was so moved by the organization’s mission that he offered his marketing services. It was certainly a success!

One of the greatest aspects of the night was seeing the sense of community start to build among everyone. Something great is happening up in Frankford at a youth driven wooden boat shop, so drop by and bring us a book!

If we were in the middle of the ocean in 25 knot winds with the whole gunwale in the water and a blackening sky barging at us, I would have been pretty scared myself.

But we weren’t.

We were at the Philadelphia Seaport Museum on a sunny August Thursday afternoon getting White Lightning rigged up at the dock to take out for a sail. The skies were clear blue but for a few splashes of white clouds to complement Philadelphia’s skyline. The wind blew steadily in from the northeast at 8 mph with occasional gusts up to 12. The tide had just reached its highest point. No chop. It was a great day for sailing.

I had come down to the museum to help out with PWBF’s summer program. I was going to take students out on the water in a 19’ Lightning class sailing dinghy.

Eight arrived that day and Amanda, Tymia, Sheree and Chink wanted to go sailing. For Chink, this was to be her first time. For the other three, this was to be their second or third time.

I felt confident taking the boat out with the girls. What would be a challenge was convincing all of them that sailing was fun. I could tell that a couple of the teens liked the idea of sailing and wanted to be on the boat. But, they were afraid. Sailing was still new and different. Going into the Delaware on a small boat that was sensitive to movement was daunting.

The girls helped me rig the boat. Once the jib and main were hoisted and everyone knew and understood their position on board, we pushed off the dock and made our way out of the slip, past Moshulu, and into the Delaware River.

As we headed north on a beat towards the Ben Franklin Bridge, the first gust rolled in and the boat heeled sharply. All the girls screamed, scurrying to the high side. Nervous pleas to go back to the dock quickly followed. “But, that’s what makes sailing so exciting!” I said, explaining to them what had just happened and assuring them this was a natural reaction of the boat. Then stronger gust came and the boat heeled little more, sending the girls jumping to the high side once more. I eased the main to flatten the boat. All the girls stared at each other for a moment in shock, and then burst out laughing and poked fun at each other’s scared expression. Next thing you knew, they wanted to do it again!

It seemed that most nerves had shaken off and everyone was loosening up. Confidence grew as the girls felt safer aboard White Lightning. We joked around, told stories, took pictures, waved to other boats passing by, shouted when we sailed under the Ben Franklin Bridge. Chink and Amanda even hung out on the bow deck and laid down while the sail crossed over them when we tacked. Of course, the girls still screamed when a gust heeled the boat, but trust had already started to take root and I could see before me some fine sailors. Also to mention, none of the girls ever abandoned their role. When it was time to focus, they did so without having to be told twice. Everyone listened and paid attention. I couldn’t have asked for a better (and more entertaining!) crew.

After almost an hour on the water, we turned to head back in. As we sailed on a downwind tack towards the dock, a speed boat passed us, leaving a few waves in its wake. I headed up slightly. The boat coasted over the crest of the wave and glided swiftly down its backside. The girls screamed and laughed. Then Tymia asked me to do it again.

PWBF’s staff is a blend of social service, youth development, and maritime arts experienced employees.

Brett Hart, Executive Director     

Brett Hart, the organization’s Executive grew up in Frankford, four blocks from the location of the shop. He is a Tall Ship Captain and wooden boat builder with eight years of direct service experience working with at-risk youth form Philadelphia. Prior to joining PWBF, Brett was employed by the Los Angeles Maritime Institute going to sea with teenage students from East Los Angeles. He was the Captain and Director of Maritime Education for Philadelphia City Sail on board their 75′ Schooner North Wind, traveling for extended periods with Philadelphia teenagers. Brett worked as a boat-building educator for PWBF’s in-school, industrial arts program Canoe Build, from 2000 to 2003, and returned as Executive Director in the fall of 2009.

 

Leonard Bonarek, Program Director

Leonard Bonarek, the organization’s Program Director went to sea at the age of 18 aboard commercial tankers, sailing routes between the Middle East and the United States. He has lived for extended periods abroad including Kazakhstan, where he began his career in youth services while working for a forestry program with middle school groups. He began a Philadelphia Chapter of Baltimore NGO Tenderbridge, a group that links students to activities and programs in their areas of interest. He has also volunteered for Neighborhood Bike Works and most recently was employed as Volunteer Coordinator and Court Liaison for CASA. Leonard speaks fluent Indonesian and is learning Spanish. He is a superb mentor and direct service provider, with an engaging narrative, clear boundaries, and is someone the kids respect and relate to very well.

 

Tim Harbeson, Artist In Resident

Tim Harbeson, the organization’s Artist In Resident is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1989, with a concentration in sculpture. Tim moved to Maine in 1994 and spent two years working for Dave Corcoran of Bullhouse Boatworks, a shop specializing in authentic Nathaniel Herreshoff wooden boats. Tim, with his wife Buffy Miller and son Lark, co-created Stillhouse Theatre, a 31-seat jewel box behind their home in Mt. Airy.

 

Deepa Vasudevan, Research Coordinator

Deepa Vasudevan graduated from Haverford College in 2007 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Cultural Anthropology. Deepa is currently the Research Coordinator at the Out-of-School Time Resource Center (OSTRC) at the University of Pennsylvania. In this position, Deepa provides evaluation and research assistance to out-of-school time organizations (afterschool, summer programs, etc) interested in improving their professional development offerings. She also conducts trainings on survey and research design for community programs and co-facilitates monthly networking events for youth work professionals at the United Way. As a supporter of vibrant community programs, Deepa has served as board president of the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory since 2009. She is also a board member of the Seybert Foundation, an organization that awards financial support to nonprofits programs serving children and youth in Philadelphia.

 

Ryan Francis Lamb, Board Director

Ryan is a practicing attorney specializing in bankruptcy, commercial real estate and civil rights in South Jersey and Philadelphia. In addition to the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory, Ryan is active in South Jersey Legal Service’s bankruptcy Pro Bono Project, the ACLU of Delaware and the Camden County Bar Association. He has spent time working within various civic organizations as well, ranging from the Zoning Board in Lebanon New Hampshire to the Cooper-Grant Neighborhood Association in Camden, New Jersey. From coaching little league baseball to assisting those in need of legal aid, Ryan believes firmly in giving back to his community and paying it forward. Mr. Lamb has a B.A. from Vassar College in Geography and a J.D. From Rutgers School of Law.

 

Christopher B. Myers, Board Director

Chris Myers is a passionate entrepreneur and founder of seven start-ups who has been visible in the commercial Internet space since 1997 as an Internet-search and Internet-TV pioneer with the well-known search-optimization company searchbuilder.com and the Internet-TV startup Sivoo. Mr. Myers has been active in venture capital since 2002 and is now the Managing Director of the Philadelphia Development Group Limited, where he directs the firm’s venture capital investment and fund advisory businesses. Mr. Myers also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship with the LeBow College of Business, and is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with the Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship in Technology. He is an MSc candidate from the Centre for Financial & Management Studies at the University of London, and holds a BA from the New School for Social Research in New York. He is also a sailing enthusiast.