About

When selecting a name for the non-profit organization, Co-founder Debby Frenkel consulted a good friend who has paraplegia and is a top-notch sailor. She asked him what called him to the water. He said, 'the freedom.' Thus, the name Freedom Waters Foundation -- which also incorporates an F for Frenkel and W for Weller, in honor of co-founder John Weller. Originally focused on serving children with cancer, Freedom Waters Foundation expanded to meet the needs of children and adults with life threatening illnesses and disabilities, at-risk youth as well as veterans. Freedom Waters Foundation was founded in March 2006 by our current Executive Director, Debra Frenkel, a licensed clinical social worker, and yacht broker John Weller, who both still serve on our Board of Directors. Debby has been involved with disabled sailing since 1999 and knew John through her previous employer. John is a six-time cancer survivor and fellow humanitarian who encouraged Debby to form her own non-profit organization.