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WHO WE ARE

Safe Harbor was founded “accidentally” 30 years ago when a judge asked the founders, Robbie and Doug Smith, to care for a troubled boy on their large sailboat, instead of that boy being sent to juvenile hall for the weekend. The judge, a friend of Doug’s, wouldn’t take “No” for an answer, even though the Smith’s were retired and about to embark on an around-the-world trip on their boat. The success of that weekend triggered more pleas by the judge for the Smith’s to help more boys, until the Smith’s needed more help. A nonprofit program was launched and formalized in 1984. Safe Harbor is now an established charitable nonprofit maritime-based boarding school based in Jacksonville, Florida. It utilizes maritime principles, discipline and seamanship as a therapeutic model for helping turn around at-risk teenage boys. Safe Harbor provides a safe, structured, and exciting alternative to therapeutic boarding schools and harsher juvenile programs.

Safe Harbor Featured in “Marina World” — SEE HERE

Safe Harbor has been featured in People Magazine, and on CBS This Morning, NBC News Today, CNN, and CBN.