SEA STAR FOUNDATION HAS A NEW WEBPAGE!
Find the most up-to-date info about Sea Star Programs at:
WWW.SEASTARDIVERS.ORG
Or email Sea Star at:
seastardivers5@gmail.com
WHAT IS THE SEA STAR FOUNDATION?
The Sea Star Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization developed and incorporated in 2016 by us, Christine West and Adam Maire. Our project is dedicated to building confidence, strengthening family relationships, and developing connections in active communities for those with disabilities and PTSD through marine conservation education and aquatic recreational therapy activities such as snorkeling, free diving and SCUBA diving.
WHY IS THE PROJECT CALLED THE SEA STAR FOUNDATION?
We chose to incorporate the sea star into the foundation’s name because sea stars are incredible creatures, just like the people in our community. Sea stars are tough, plated animals that don’t always have an easy life and have to fight to defend themselves. Luckily, if a sea star does happen to lose a limb in battle, it doesn’t stop that creature from continuing to be great, it can persevere and its situation may actually end up better off in the long-run! Our foundation wants to highlight that personal struggles are not insurmountable barriers, but challenges that we can work together to break through, becoming stronger in the end.
WHAT IS OUR VISION?
The Sea Star Foundation, Inc. will create a larger community of snorkelers, scuba divers and Handicapped Scuba Diving Buddies that will work together to design active, fun and educational programs that help members overcome personal struggles and obstacles in a healthy manner. Through a four phase training program that inspires and challenges members to work both as strong leaders and team members, the Sea Star Foundation will certify its members to take part in a variety of aquatic activities, then challenge them to help others to do the same.
WHO ARE WE?
Christine West is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, and co-founder of the Sea Star Foundation. Christine has taught SCUBA diving to over 600 students over the past 10 years. Christine was originally taught to SCUBA dive by a paraplegic instructor who had lost the use of his legs from a spinal injury, learning how to adapt SCUBA techniques to include paralyzed individuals from the start of her training. Christine is passionate about helping individuals overcome their perceived limits while creating bonds with new friends and family members through practicing aquatic recreational therapy.
Adam Maire is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and co-founder of the Sea Star Foundation. Adam was raised in Kearney, Nebraska. In 2008, he joined the Nebraska National Guard and in 2010/2011 he deployed with them to Afghanistan for one year. Adam graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and History. Adam has been scuba diving for over four years and is committed to giving back to his community and his fellow soldiers with the Sea Star Foundation through aquatic recreational therapy and underwater training.
HOW CAN YOU GET MORE INFO OR DONATE TO THE SEA STAR FOUNDATION?
Please contact us with any questions, comments or ideas!
We hope to start our next projects in Spring 2017, so any support or ideas are very much appreciated!
Email Christine and Adam at: finstospurs@gmail.com
The Sea Star Foundation is incorporated in the state of Nebraska and is eligible to accept 501 (c) 3 donations by check made out to the Sea Star Foundation and sent to:
Sea Star Foundation Fund
c/o Kearney Area Community Foundation
412 W. 48th St., #12
Kearney, NE 68845