We strengthen redemptive relationships through life-giving risk. Carpe Ventus is an innovative nonprofit that was founded in Chicago early in 2015. At Carpe Ventus one of the primary redemptive relationships we invest in is mentorship. We believe in the power of mentors. We know that investing in mentors and the youth they work with is the best way to reduce violence in our communities. We do this through sailing, swimming, and workshop training. We partner with some of the most effective youth mentoring organizations in the city to introduce youth and their mentors to sailing on Lake Michigan. We learn life principles and skills together while progressing as sailors and deepening vital mentor/mentee relationships, which significantly contribute to positive outcomes in the lives of under-resourced youth. In the winter months, we also run a swimming program for under-resourced youth in partnership with an after school program. Year-round we partner with several mentoring organizations from across the city to invest in youth and make sailing on Lake Michigan more accessible to those who can benefit from it at a young age. Our program strengthens our participants’ resilience, healthy risk-taking, independence, teamwork, and offers an encouraging environment where youth (who often do not know how to swim, let alone sail) can break out of their comfort zone and have an adventure with their peers and mentors outside of the classroom. Learning to sail also enables our youth to enjoy Lake Michigan in a way most youth do not have access to in our city. We are run on the power of volunteers. Join us!