FACT
SHEET
History:
In
1994, Teens-In-Flight began as a high school magnet program designed to
assist the Duval County School Board in Jacksonville, Florida, to racially
balance a predominantly black high school.
This unique program was started by Colonel Jack D. Howell, USMC
(Ret.). With the assistance of
Steve Price and Joel Weiner, the program progressed to the next level being
established in March 2008 as a non-profit 501 (C) (3) aerospace education
corporation. Teens-In-Flight is
registered in the state of Florida and its headquarters are in Palm Coast,
Florida.
Mission:
Through the modem of aerospace education we open the doors
of opportunity. Teens-In-Flight provides flight training and
aviation maintenance scholarships to those teens that have lost a parent in
the Global War On Terrorism or, is the teen of a parent who was wounded in
action and is disabled. Another phase of our program focuses on selected
teens that are considered "at risk" or from low income families
within our community by providing a positive aviation intervention
experience.
Concept:
Colonel Jack Howell’s experience of serving in the
capacity as a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) coupled with the experience
of teaching in inner city high schools throughout the country has provided
the opportunity for close observations of families grieving and dealing with
sudden, unexpected life altering tragedy.
Teenagers affected by this event often suffer Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) and frequently exhibit withdrawal, distrust, and negative
behavior.
The Casualty Assistance Officer becomes immersed into the
family crisis from the initial notification of death or severe injury to a
love one, until the last “i” is dotted and the “t” is crossed on the
Veteran Affairs (VA) paperwork, well after the funeral.
When this action is completed, the CAO returns to their normal duties
and the family is left to their grief and to fend for themselves. Soon, they are forgotten and become nothing more than a
statistic.
Teens-In-Flight understands the dynamics of this process.
In many instances, PTSD is overlooked with regards to teenagers
suffering with their grief. It is the belief of Teens-In-Flight that by providing an
opportunity for free flight lessons, with the goal of obtaining a Private
Pilot License (valued at $9,000.00), a behavioral change from negative
energy to positive energy can be achieved.
We believe that providing a positive and fun experience will help
these teens heal and diminish some of their grief.
The Teens-In-Flight program will provide selected teens with
mentoring and with a new direction and focus for a possible career in the
myriad of occupations within the aerospace industry.
Execution:
Teens-In-Flight
utilizes only Federal Aviation Administration (FAA Regulations Part 141
& 61) approved schools. These
schools provide all ground and flight instruction.
Teens-In-Flight reimburses these schools for all fuel and aircraft
maintenance costs.
Funding:
Funding
is required for the success of our mission.
Funding is accomplished through both federal and local grants,
donations and fund raisers. The
program requires that students and parents participate in local fund raisers
as it gives them a spirit of ownership in the program.
However, it must be emphasized that this is absolutely free for the
students. It should also be
noted that funds raised locally will stay with that local program.
Federal grants and corporate gifts, unless otherwise directed, will
be spread amongst all our programs.
Locations:
Teens-In-Flight
currently has established programs located in Jacksonville, Florida and Palm
Coast, Florida. We are looking
to expand to Fort Carson, Colorado and Fort Hood, Texas in late Fall/Winter
2009. Our goal is to expand
nationwide to support military families affected by the casualties of the
Global War On Terrorism.
Validity:
Teens-In-Flight
has received both national and local attention.
We were featured in:
Flagler
Times (March 21, 2008)
Member,
Flagler County, Florida Chamber of Commerce
Disabled
American Veterans Magazine (October 2008)
Veterans
of Foreign Wars Magazine (February 2009)
Flight
Time Radio/AV-WEB (March 2009)
Palm
Coast Neighborhood News (April 2009)
Wolf
Aviation Fund Grant recipient (April 2009)
Colorado
Springs newspaper “The Gazette” Grant recipient (July 2009)
Colorado
Springs, Colorado KKTV (July 2009)
US
Army, Fort Carson, Colorado “Mountaineer” (July 2009)
Aircraft
Owners and Pilot Association Flight Training Magazine (August 2009)
Flying
Magazine (October 2009)