SeaChange Hawaii
Kane'ohe Bay in Oahu, HI

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SeaChange Hawaii
Suspends Operations

Matt Claybaugh, Program Director for SeaChange Hawaii, and Brian Rossiter, the Director of Admissions, announced today that operations of this ship based therapeutic wilderness program have been suspended and go on to explain:

The program model has proved to be an effective therapeutic intervention for troubled teens. Grateful families share their appreciation for the positive changes graduates are making. Consultants and programs who have referred teens appreciate the SeaChange model, our professional, dedicated staff, and the way we have been able to help teens make substantial gains and reconnect with their families.

However, SeaChange is feeling the effects of the economy, as so many of our partner programs and consultants have; as have families across the U.S. I think you can appreciate that the cost of running a tall ship year-round is not sustainable at this time. Thus SeaChange Hawaii operations will be suspended in January 2012. Our parent organization, Marimed Foundation, is still strong. We continue to provide therapeutic treatment and education for Hawai`i families and teens through our residential and day programs, as we have for more than 20 years.

What does the future hold for SeaChange? With our board and staff, we will look at a number of options. It is our duty as a non-profit organization to develop a sustainable economic model for all of our programs. Perhaps we will be able to restart when the economy strengthens or a more reliable and steady number of referrals is on the horizon. Perhaps we will voyage only during peak times; or with a smaller ship. Maybe there is a partnership with another program in our future. We don't know the answer right now. We know our model works; what the next step is, is something for us to uncover - perhaps together.

We thank all of our many supporters who believed in SeaChange and have experienced the transformational powers of ocean voyaging. We look forward to working with you in the future and will keep you apprised of our plans as they unfold.