Darel Bellamy
Latest Stories
BOATS_FOR_WEB_0016.jpg
Fred Geiger, a former DEA agent and current volunteer, advises apprentice Darel Bellamy at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Darel thinks of Mr. Geiger as a "second dad". Located on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, the Alexandria Seaport Foundation is a non-profit paid apprenticeship and hands-on educational program which serves at-risk youths ages 17-21. In the program these youths learn life skills, team work and building their self esteem. In the program apprentices learn carpentry skills and planing for career paths, in addition to earning their GED right here. The ASF says that it costs $100,000.00 to detain a juvenile for a year in Virginia, but only $15,000.00 to educate and place an ASF apprentice. The paid staff and numerous volunteers teaches approximately 8-16 students, however today they are working with around 10. The program lasts 5 to 8 months. Every Tuesday night is "Open Shop" a time when the shop is open to the public. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)
BOATS_FOR_WEB_0017.jpg
Fred Geiger, a former DEA agent and current volunteer, advises apprentice Darel Bellamy at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Darel thinks of Mr. Geiger as a "second dad". Located on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, the Alexandria Seaport Foundation is a non-profit paid apprenticeship and hands-on educational program which serves at-risk youths ages 17-21. In the program these youths learn life skills, team work and building their self esteem. In the program apprentices learn carpentry skills and planing for career paths, in addition to earning their GED right here. The ASF says that it costs $100,000.00 to detain a juvenile for a year in Virginia, but only $15,000.00 to educate and place an ASF apprentice. The paid staff and numerous volunteers teaches approximately 8-16 students, however today they are working with around 10. The program lasts 5 to 8 months. Every Tuesday night is "Open Shop" a time when the shop is open to the public. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)
20110926-212406-pic-273737526.jpg
Darel Bellamy works with fellow apprentices on a 3,000-pound River Dory boat they are building at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation. The apprentice program lasts four to six months and offers a work level similar to that in a union shop. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)
20110926-212406-pic-6245758.jpg
MENTORING: Apprentice Darel Bellamy (left) has a heart-to-heart talk with former DEA agent Fred Geiger, whom he considers a second father, at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation in Alexandria. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)
20110926-212406-pic-791148023.jpg
Darel Bellamy, seen with his mother Tawanna, said his once-troubling life has changed thanks to a work-based apprentice program with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation that focuses on disadvantaged youths. "I feel like a hard-working man and I like that," he said. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)
