MAD DADS and Florida Youth Maritime work together to give endangered Jax youth a second chance – Action News Jax

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The mission of Mad Dads is to deliver optimistic change to the group by making neighborhoods safer. Now, Mad Dads has one other activity. The group helps younger males and ladies in Jacksonville discover profitable profession path.

“From the opinion of the students, it’s really worth it because of the pay that the merchant seamen get. These young people in this class are going to start working at around $40K a year and their potential is probably around $150,000k a year,” says Robert Russo, chief teacher for Florida Youth Maritime Training.

Russo and the Jacksonville Chapter of Mad Dads President Donald Foy say turning into a service provider seaman is a chance to present endangered youth in Jacksonville that they’ll make a wholesome and financially secure dwelling.

“Like Russo said, they could make up to $150,000K a year. Now here’s the key with that. They are on the boat, they’re eating free, they’re sleeping free so they’re managing to just build up the money; and now when they come back, they have a real bank account,” stated Foy.

Foy says during the last six years, the partnership between Mad Dads and Florida Youth Maritime has taken 75 individuals off the road and positioned them onto boats making an sincere dwelling. One of these 75 individuals is Merchant Seaman Douglas Thompson, 7 years in the past he was in and out jail.

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“I’m to a point where I can buy myself a house, buy myself a car, anything I want to buy, now you know I’m successful. My kids are fine, I’ve really come a long way,” stated Douglas Thompson.

If you have an interest in turning into a service provider seaman then there are few belongings you want to know. One is that you just have to be ready to receive a employees transportation id card badge. If you’ve gotten been arrested and convicted of a crime, you might be ineligible. You should additionally go a bodily in addition to a variety of drug checks.

This is a 4 month lengthy coaching program the place college students will study on-line Monday by means of Thursday at their very own tempo. Friday is an internet overview session and Saturday is an in particular person, arms on-training course.

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Participants will study a variety of obligations together with rigging, OSHA security, first support, CPR, how to save a sinking vessel and battle a hearth. There are additionally a variety of Coast Guard programs.

These lessons are voluntary. If you desire to to assist fund additional training alternatives for our youth in Jacksonville or need assistance getting began name Donald 904-718-1649.

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