UPportunity Arrives at Chicago's 31st Street Marina | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
It was a cool, overcast day in Chicago, Illinois on June 4th, 2016. There was a full day of adventure and experiences planned for the young men of UPportunity, who had met earlier that day at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana with the AAAYC to submit their essay assignments on what they hope to learn through travel and experience with UPportunity. In February, UPportunity selected four underprivileged, socially and economically at-risk youth and flew them to Aspen, Colorado where they learned to overcome their fears through travel and new experiences like learning to ski. You can read about our Aspen Adventure here. Jerry Davich with Lakeshore Public Media and the Chicago Tribune authored and journaled a wonderful article highlighting the teens in the Chicago Tribune, which you can read here as well.
Only a few hours before these same teens were on dry land, content with their heads buried in their cell phones, texting and SnapChatting with their friends. None of them had ever been aboard a boat, didn't know how to tie a nautical knot, couldn't differentiate the bow from the stern, port from starboard or the difference between a rope and a line. As the group arrived at Chicago's 31st Street Marina wondering aloud what the adventure ahead holds, a tall black man with dreadlocks and confident swagger introduces himself to the boys, who receive him as if President Barack Obama himself had just arrived to teach them.
We're thrilled you're enjoying reading about our recent Chicago adventure! We value your time and understand you are busy, if you would like to donate to UPportunity you can use the link directly below. Continue on to hear the rest of our story.
Captain David Instructs the Teens How to Tie Different Nautical Knots | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Captain David Instructs the Teens about Boating on Lake Michigan at Chicago's 31st Street Harbor | Photo Credit: Christopher Casson
With his commanding voice, he introduces himself, "I am Captain David.....and you are?!" The boys were slow to respond and apprehensive of relinquishing their attention from the cell phones to focusing and giving respect to the captain. Captain David slowly clasps his hands behind his back, slightly rocks his impressive stature from heel to toe, and in a calm, stern tone says, "Let me repeat myself. I am Captain David, and you are my crew!" The boys suddenly snapped to attention, realizing Captain David was commanding their attention. This time there was no hesitation, no misunderstanding and no clue what they were in for.
“Captain David slowly clasps his hands behind his back, slightly rocks his impressive stature from heel to toe, and in a calm, stern tone says, “Let me repeat myself. I am Captain David, and you are my crew!””
Captain David shouts out command after command, "Cast off the bow line! Cast away the stern line! Release the spring line! All crew on deck! Are we CLEAR?!" In a unified chorus of teamwork, the crew of 8 socially and economically at risk boys from the ages of 11 to 15 confidently shouted back, "CLEAR!" And away they went. The young men of UPportunity were now experiencing what it's like to navigate and crew a 45 ft yacht on Lake Michigan along the magnificent Chicago skyline.
Captain David Educates the Teens About the Basics of Yachting on Lake Michigan | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Within the next few hours, Captain David had the kids working in teams tying knots, running drills, calling and responding to commands and learning the ins-and-outs of yachting efficacy and boating safety. He had them do it again, again, and again, all before they could even think about lunch. Through teamwork, practice and repetition, the boys started to gain a sense of camaraderie and realizing that they would need to depend on each other once they left the security of the harbor docks and set sail for the open water. (Story Continues Below...)
Captain David Educates the Teens About the Basics of Yachting on Lake Michigan | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Capt. David Instructs the Teens About Port and Starboard, Bow and Stern. | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
The Teens Make Final Preparations Before Setting Sail | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
The Teens Make Final Preparations Before Setting Sail | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
The Teens Make Final Preparations Before Setting Sail | Photo Credit: Christopher Casson
Chicago's 31st Street Harbor on a Perfect Summer Day | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Inside the harbor, the water was calm and smooth as glass. As Captain David steered his ship past the jagged rocks towards the mouth of the marina, the boys experienced their first glimpse of the roughness of the open water. The water turned a cold, dead grey color, matching the ominous skies above. Cold sprays of angry water crashed 20 feet over the break wall on their port side. The attention of the teens was focused on the unknown; the endless horizon before them. One by one the whispering of questions emitted from the boys, "Captain David, Where we going? Captain David, What's out there? Captain David, How deep is the water out there?". Their fears started to manifest as the engines started to rumble and the boat started to growl and chug along, pushing off from the dock. Their fears were quickly washed away with an unmistakable glow of curiosity and excitement as the shore faded into the distance, and the Chicago skyline waited on the horizon. (Story Continues Below...)
Kevin McDonald, Director of UPportunity, Instructs Two Teens How to Bring in the Stern Lines | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
“The attention of the teens was focused on the unknown; the endless horizon before them.”
Towering over the boys from the helm of the ship, Captain David gives the boys a reassuring grin and then barks, "Secure the Deck! Secure the bumpers on the starboard side!" In a disciplined military way, the boys immediately manned their station and executed their tasks. They had confidence in their captain and more importantly, they had confidence in themselves.
UPportunity Teenagers Share Teamwork and Excitement on Lake Michigan | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
The boys in their respective teams shouted, "Deck secure! Starboard side clear!" With the confirmation from the boys that his vessel was secure and his crew was ready, Captain David throttles up the dual 450hp engines. The bow slowly, but powerfully, raises out of the water. A 70ft roaster tail gushes from the stern and the boys are transformed from boys into crewmen. As they'd conquered theirs fears, they realized the only thing left was to enjoy the adventure.
Director Kevin McDonald Sets the Course | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Captain David took the Crew on a VIP Tour of the World-Famous Chicago Skyline, pulling into Monroe Street Beach for up-close-and-personal views as we passed the Chicago Museum Campus and the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Chicago Field Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry, and more. (Story Continues Below...)
Chicago's Shedd Aquarium as Viewed from Lake Michigan | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
The Famous Chicago Skyline from Lake Michigan | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Panoramic View of the Chicago Skyline | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
View of the Chicago Skyline and Navy Pier | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
View of Navy Pier and the Tall Ship Windy from Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Christopher Casson
View of Navy Pier From Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
As Captain Dave navigated the yacht around the north side of Chicago's Museum Campus and Shedd Aquarium, the clouds started to part and the trademark gray, overcast skies began to clear and gave way to a magical sunset. Chicago wedding photographer Ron Delhaye was along for the trip as UPportunity's event photographer, and motioned for the guys to move to the bow of the ship to take a few incredible portraits they won't soon forget!
Teens in UPportunity Having Fun on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
"I work with UPportunity as their Director of Photography and Marketing, and I have never seen a more enthusiastic, uplifting, and inspiring group of teenage boys anywhere. I absolutely love working with them because I learn from them. They teach me humility, gratitude, and to truly be humble no matter what is going on in my life. Being able to take them on adventures and seeing them exploring their strengths and fears and overcome them is a monumental experience to be witness to. It's nothing short of fulfilling when I can capture the joy and expression within them as they explore it together as a family," Ron comments.
Chicago Wedding Photographer Ron Delhaye Photographs the UPportunity Teens on Lake Michigan | Photo Credit: Christopher Casson
Christopher Casson is a Chicago Nature and Landscape Photographer and also joined along for the journey, lending his vision, talent and lens to capture these memories for everyone to see from his unique perspective, which he's exploring in his own personal way that you can read about here. He has an incredible talent when it comes to telling stories, which will be published here once completed.
Chicago Youth Non-Profit Group UPportunity Having Fun on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Chicago Youth Non-Profit Group UPportunity Having Fun on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Christopher Casson
Chicago Youth Non-Profit Group UPportunity Having Fun on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Kevin McDonald Instructs the UPportunity Teens on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Chicago Non-Profit group UPportunity on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Chicago Non-Profit group UPportunity on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Chicago Non-Profit group UPportunity on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye
Chicago Non-Profit group UPportunity on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Christopher Casson
At the end of the day, as the sun started to set behind the distant skyscrapers and cityscapes, the boys of UPportunity stood a little taller. They successfully taxied and docked the boat, working alongside Captain David and one another to get safely back to shore. Their spirits were lifted, as clearly visible from their beaming smiles, excited eyes and electrifying energy, and 8 African American teenagers from Chicago, IL and Gary, IN learned a valuable lesson on camaraderie and brotherhood that they will carry into their adult years, and overflow into their communities.
UPportunity is a non-profit group that is supported entirely by the kindness of donors who support our youth and our mission from around the world. If you enjoyed this article and support our mission, please SHARE this article on social media. If you have an opportunity you would be interested in providing for our youth, we would love to hear from you! Thank you for reading, and we look forward to many more adventures to share with you along the journey.
Click here to view the full photo gallery from UPportunity's Chicago Yachting Trip. All Images are copyright protected and are provided by photogaphers Ron Delhaye and Christopher Casson. Please use the hashtag #GoUPportunity on social media when reposting photos to show your support.
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UPCOMING ADVENTURES
July 20th - 27th - UPportunity will be taking a group of 6-8 teenage boys WhiteWater Rafting in Aspen, CO, camping in the Moab Desert, hiking the Grand Canyon, and experiencing Phoenix, AZ.
Summer / Fall 2016 - Pro-Circuit USA Tennis star and Celebrity Personality Lendale "Lenny" Johnson will instruct 8 teenage boys the game of tennis and the principles of good sportsmanship and positive self-esteem.
Chicago Non-Profit group UPportunity on Lake Michigan in Chicago | Photo Credit: Ron Delhaye