Colleges : Campus scene : Sailing Program for Needy Kids Funded

For the second year in a row, Orange Coast College’s Sailing Center has won a $10,000 grant to teach sailing to underprivileged children. The grant was made by the state Department of Boating and Waterways.

OCC’s At-Risk Youth Summer Sailing Program was founded in 1992 by sailing instructor Karen Prioleau for youths between the ages of 12 and 16.

A number of local gang intervention programs, homes for abused children and inner-city schools have sent youths to the program. In 1995, 255 children received summer sailing instruction.

Still, program instructor Debbie Dunne said, the directors of the program would like to see it grow.

“We’d like to have as many as 500 at-risk youngsters taking part in the program in ‘96,” Dunne said. “There are hundreds and hundreds of young people in the community who could benefit.”