SailFuture offers youths a clean slate and opportunity to build new skills.
In the heart of Florida’s waters, SailFuture is redefining second chances, turning waves into classrooms and troubled pasts into stories of resilience. SailFuture was founded in 2014 by Michael Long and Co-founder Hunter Thompson, two individuals with challenging backgrounds who shared a vision to create a second-chance education program for young people facing similar struggles. Both founders were inspired by their own experiences of overcoming difficult upbringings, each finding mentors and opportunities that allowed them to transform their lives. Their shared commitment to helping others led them to create SailFuture, which has since expanded into a comprehensive program serving more than 200 youths each year.
The organization began as a small mentoring initiative but quickly grew into a robust nonprofit with a mission to help underprivileged and at-risk youth build meaningful, productive lives. Today, SailFuture operates with a staff of 60 full-time professionals based in St. Petersburg, Florida, working to provide stability, support, and education to three key groups: foster care youth who have been in multiple placements without success; high school students from low-income, high-trauma backgrounds in the St. Petersburg and Tampa areas; and youth involved in judicial and welfare systems across Florida.
Central to SailFuture’s mission is a unique experiential learning approach, built around hands-on training and mentorship. One of the program’s iconic assets is a 105-foot Feadship yacht, which students help to refurbish as part of their training. Known as a “labor of love,” this vessel serves as a learning platform where students acquire practical skills in mechanics, navigation, teamwork, and leadership. Through projects like this, SailFuture aims to give students real-world skills and expose them to career possibilities in industries they may not have previously considered.
Thompson, who met Long in college, shared a similar desire to make a difference. Their collaboration and commitment to giving back helped turn SailFuture into an organization that not only mentors youth but also provides a range of educational and vocational opportunities. With their combined experiences and vision, Thompson and Long established a model that goes beyond traditional education, focusing on individualized support and practical learning.
The nonprofit actively engages the maritime community for support. Captains, crewmembers, and vessel owners play an essential role by donating boats, which SailFuture students then refurbish and operate. These boat projects serve as educational experiences and also help generate funding for the program through charters, with all proceeds reinvested into SailFuture’s mission.
Additionally, SailFuture invites industry professionals to volunteer their expertise. Certified dive masters, for example, are needed to help train students, as the organization already has equipment but requires licensed instructors. First mates, engineers, and stews are also welcome to volunteer, providing students with mentorship and insights into maritime careers. Through partnerships with industry employers, SailFuture secures internships, apprenticeships, and other hands-on opportunities that prepare students for sustainable careers after graduation.
The program’s impact is evident in its focus on relationships. With two residential houses, SailFuture’s model creates a family-like environment for students who may not have had consistent or stable homes. Each house accommodates six students and is supported by “residential parents” — mentors who provide 24/7 guidance and support, helping students navigate both academic and personal challenges. This immersive residential experience is designed to foster trust, stability, and self-sufficiency, creating a supportive atmosphere where students can thrive.
SailFuture’s staff is selected carefully, with each member expected to approach their role as a long-term commitment rather than simply a job. Faculty and residential parents serve as coaches and role models, guiding students through an individualized curriculum that incorporates academic, vocational, and personal growth. This approach allows SailFuture to support not just educational success but also emotional healing and resilience, particularly for youth who have experienced trauma.
SailFuture’s commitment to experiential learning also extends to travel. Through sailing expeditions and other real-world activities, students broaden their perspectives and are exposed to new cultures and ways of life. Travel is seen as a catalyst for personal growth, giving students a wider view of what is possible in their lives. For many, these experiences open doors to career paths and instill a confidence that they carry forward into adulthood.
The organization’s metrics for success include academic improvement, practical skill development, and career readiness. Approximately 75% of students who stay in the program for a semester or more graduate, with 90% improving their academic performance. These accomplishments reflect SailFuture’s emphasis on a holistic approach that combines mentorship, hands-on projects, and relationship-building to prepare students for both professional and personal success.
With bold aspirations, SailFuture envisions opening a second location in Fort Lauderdale — a global epicenter of the yachting industry — to expand its impact and ultimately bring its innovative educational approach into schools across Florida. This new base would open doors for even more young people, connecting them to opportunities in the maritime field and equipping them with the skills, confidence, and stability essential for lifelong success.
Both Long and Thompson are dedicated to a simple but powerful message for their students: “It is possible.” For the youth who come to SailFuture, this belief represents the hope that life can be transformed through perseverance, hard work, and support. Their mission continues to resonate with young people who find, often for the first time, that there are adults who genuinely care about their success and are willing to help them reach their full potential.
In the end, SailFuture stands as a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, community, and the belief that everyone, regardless of their past, deserves a chance to discover their potential. The organization’s unique blend of experiential learning, dedicated support, and strong industry ties is helping countless young people not only find their way but also realize that they can, indeed, make a positive impact in the world.
