NAPLES, Fla. (June 11, 2026) – Approximately 30 children and teens from Youth Haven spent a day on the water June 18 during a summer outing to Revolution Cable Park in North Fort Myers. The event, which has turned into an annual tradition, was made possible through the generosity of longtime supporter Walter Schacht, senior vice president and wealth advisor at Truist Bank. Lunch was generously provided by local entrepreneur and inventor Erik Papenfuss. Since 2017, Schacht has made it possible for nearly 300 kids to enjoy this unique experience, designed to build confidence, encourage resilience and create positive childhood memories for youth who have experienced abuse, neglect or homelessness.
For many of the youth, the day offered an opportunity to try something completely new while experiencing the encouragement and support of peers, staff and community volunteers.
“Summer can be a particularly vulnerable time for children because many lose the structure, support and safety net that school provides,” said Linda Goldfield, CEO of Youth Haven. “That’s why at Youth Haven, we work to ensure the children and teens in our care continue to receive safe housing, meals, counseling, enrichment opportunities and positive experiences throughout the summer. We are especially grateful to Walter Schacht for nearly a decade of creating opportunities like this for our youth to build confidence, make lasting memories and simply enjoy being kids. We also appreciate Erik Papenfuss for helping make this special day possible through his generous support. These experiences do more than create fun memories; they’re a reminder to our youth that they are supported by a community that believes in their future.”
Schacht first became involved with foster youth more than a decade ago and wanted to create a hands-on experience that would give children an opportunity to challenge themselves while having fun.
“What keeps me coming back every year is seeing the confidence that grows throughout the day,” Schacht said. “At first, many of the kids are nervous and unsure of themselves. Then they get back up after a fall, go a little farther each time and eventually succeed. Wakeboarding is a lot like life. You fall, you get back up and keep moving forward. If these kids leave knowing they’re capable of more than they thought, then it’s a successful day.”
Martine Fleury, Youth Haven’s activities manager, said the outing reflects the organization’s commitment to exposing youth to experiences they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy.
“One of the most rewarding parts of the day is watching the youth encourage one another,” Fleury said. “Many are hesitant to try wakeboarding at first, but their confidence grows with every ride. By the end of the day, they’re cheering each other on and eager to get back on the water. It’s a great reminder of what can happen when children are given the chance to try something new and believe in themselves.”
The outing is one of many summer enrichment activities Youth Haven provides to help children and teens remain engaged, active and connected while school is out. Through community partnerships and donor support, youth participate in camps, educational outings, recreational activities and experiences that help them develop new skills, build self-esteem and create positive memories.
Community members interested in hosting an activity, outing or special experience for Youth Haven residents are encouraged to contact Katie Schweikhardt, director of development, at Katie.Schweikhardt@youthhavenswfl.org or 239-774-2904 ext. 104.
Founded in 1972, Youth Haven serves as Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for children and teens ages 6 to 21 who have experienced abuse, neglect or homelessness. Through comprehensive, trauma-informed care, Youth Haven provides shelter, therapy, education, life-skills training, enrichment opportunities and transitional housing programs that help youth heal, grow and build brighter futures.
For more information, visit youthhavenswfl.org or call 239-774-2904.
About Youth Haven
For more than five decades, Youth Haven has served as a sanctuary in Southwest Florida, providing home, hope and healing to children and teens experiencing abuse, neglect and oftentimes, homelessness. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for boys and girls ages 6 to 21, Youth Haven provides far more than shelter, delivering comprehensive programs including therapeutic services, trauma-informed holistic care, foster and transitional housing, and enrichment initiatives that help every child realize their potential and have a bright future. Youth Haven is accredited by the nationally recognized Council on Accreditation, licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, and is a partner of Children’s Network of Southwest Florida. Rated 4-star (excellent) by Charity Navigator and Platinum by Candid/Guidestar, Youth Haven is a beneficiary of the Naples Children Foundation. For more information or to schedule a tour, please visit youthhavenswfl.org or call 239-774-2904. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Contacts:
Katie Schweikhardt, Youth Haven, 239-774-2904, Katie.Schweikhardt@youthhavenswfl.org
Angela Bell, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and PR, 239-275-5758, Angela@GSMA.pro