Assisting the Students of Riviera Beach Maritime Academy
Article Submitted By: Vince Franco, Executive Director
Children are the future and by enhancing their learning opportunities, the Foundation might help them to become outstanding participants in society.
In 1997, the Marine Industry Association of Palm Beach County spearheaded the formation of the Marine Industry Education Foundation as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) publicly supported organization. The focus for the Foundation was to provide support to the former Marine Technology Program at Palm Beach Lakes High School and more recently to its successor - the Riviera Beach Maritime Academy. In April 2008, daily operation of the Foundation was transferred from the Association to the Academy. The new Foundation has an Executive Director and a four-member Board of Directors.
The purpose of the Marine Industry Education Foundation is to generate funds to support a wide array of enrichment endeavors, which include education, cultural, athletic and/or other related school activities that benefit the students, teachers and staff of the Riviera Beach Maritime Academy. The Foundation works closely with RBMA’s teachers and staff and with the community to find the children who are most in need. It also works to identify appropriate support with sponsors and donors. “Through these targeted programs and contributions,” states Vince Franco, Executive Director, “the Foundation attempts to enhance RBMA’s quality of education and opportunities of success for our youth.”
FOUNDATION GOALS
- Identify and apply for grants
- Provide funding for targeted academic programs
- Provide funding for special field trips and extracurricular events
- Develop and implement adult and continuing education programs
- Continue to build an endowment fund
FOUNDATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Funded a Summer FCAT Tutoring Initiative
- Funded a Student Reading Program
- Sponsored a successful Bull-Cow Dolphin Fishing Tournament
- Sponsored a Captain’s License Course
