About Us
Providing therapeutic boating experiences to children and adults with disabilities and veterans while creating feelings of healing, connection, empowerment, and freedom.
Our Mission
To enhance the well-being of children and adults with disabilities and veterans through therapeutic boating experiences.
Our Guiding Principles
- To provide marine-based social, and environmental programs through direct service and community partnerships
- To offer opportunities that result in feelings of freedom, self-worth, accomplishment, and joy
- To build a greater sense of community, understanding, and tolerance through sharing individual uniqueness
- To work collaboratively with the boating public, marine industry, and philanthropic resources
Freedom Waters Foundation
What's in a Name
When selecting a name for the non-profit organization, co-founder Debby Frenkel consulted a good friend who has paraplegia and is a top-notch sailor. She asked him what called him to the water. He said, “the freedom.” Thus, the name Freedom Waters Foundation — which also incorporates an F for Frenkel and W for Weller, in honor of co-founder John Weller.
Our Participants
Who We Serve
Originally focused on children with cancer, Freedom Waters Foundation has expanded to serve children and adults with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities, youth at-risk, and veterans.
Locations
We operate in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Palm Beach and Broward counties of Florida.
Since 2006
Our History
Freedom Waters Foundation was founded in March 2006 by Debra Frenkel, a licensed clinical social worker and yacht broker John Weller.
Debby has been involved with disabled sailing since 1999 and knew John through the yachting industry. John was a six-time cancer survivor and fellow humanitarian who encouraged Debby to form her own non-profit organization. She took his advice and made him the co-founder.