What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

AMIkids

Empowering young people to become confident, successful adults. At AMIkids, we believe in the power of transformation.

Every young person has the potential for greatness, and we’re on a mission to unlock it. For more than 55 years, AMIkids has empowered over 160,000 young people across the country by fostering confidence and a belief in success. In 1969, the seeds of AMIkids were planted in the compassionate vision of Judge Frank Orlando, the Chief Juvenile Court Judge in Fort Lauderdale. Frustrated by a revolving

door of youth in his courtroom, he knew that merely locking them away wouldn’t break the cycle of systems involvement. Turning to his friend Bob Rosof, then director of the Florida Atlantic Ocean Science Institute (FAOSI), Judge Orlando initiated an experiment that would change lives. Sending boys to work on a research vessel at FAOSI, they found a transformative alternative to incarceration. What began in Boca Raton expanded to Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Jacksonville, evolving into the Associated Marine Institutes (AMI). Through tireless efforts, a commitment to putting kids first emerged. In 2009, AMI became AMIkids, reflecting its expanded mission. Now, 55 years later, this visionary experiment has grown into a national nonprofit, touching the lives of over 160,000 young people throughout the United States. Today, AMIkids continues to empower young people to discover their true potential and become confident, successful adults. Our Mission: Empower young people to discover their true potential. Our Mantra: Empowering young people to believe
I CAN

05/26/2026

“AMIkids offers incredible opportunities for young people that I don’t think they could get anywhere else.”

Across Florida, AMIkids youth are getting hands-on experience restoring vital coastal ecosystems through meaningful seagrass restoration projects that are helping protect our waterways for generations to come.

Recently, youth from our AMIkids Maritime Academy participated in these restoration efforts, gaining meaningful, practical learning while making a lasting impact on Florida’s coastlines.

These opportunities go far beyond the classroom. Youth are building teamwork, environmental stewardship, maritime and scientific skills, and discovering the power they have to create positive change in their communities. Watching our young people roll up their sleeves and contribute to something bigger than themselves is both inspiring and hopeful for the future of Florida’s coastal communities.

A huge thank you to our incredible partners AquaTech Eco Consultants for helping create opportunities like this and for investing in the next generation of environmental leaders.

From seagrass restoration to volunteering with youth at a program near you, there are so many ways to get involved with AMIkids. Find your impact at:
https://amikids.org/get-involved/

And if you know a high school student looking for an incredible high school experience, AMIkids Maritime Academy is still enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year! Visit our website to schedule a tour or enroll today:
https://amikids.org/location/amikids-maritime-academy/

05/15/2026

🎉 Big News for AMIkids! 🎉

We are proud to announce that AMIkids has been selected by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to receive a FY 2026 Farm to School Grant!

About the AMIkids Farm to School Project:
📍 Launching across seven sites in South Carolina
🤝 In partnership with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Education, and Canteen
🌻 Installing gardens and integrating standards based agriculture and nutrition curricula
This funding will help us strengthen connections between local food systems and the youth we serve, supporting healthier meals, hands on learning, and brighter futures.

Thank you to our partners and supporters who make this work possible. We’re excited for what’s ahead! 🌱🍎

05/14/2026

✨ Lighting the Way Together ✨

Our AMIkids 2026 Lighting the Way Gala was a record-breaking success and an unforgettable evening of inspiration, generosity, and impact.

Led by Chair Nancy Loehr and Co-Chair Thaddeus Bullard, the night brought together an incredible community of supporters dedicated to helping young people build confidence, find direction, and believe in their future. Thaddeus brought incredible energy to the evening, while one of our youth shared a heartfelt letter about how AMIkids and Thaddeus inspired him to believe in himself.

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsors Casa Fresca Homes and Homes by WestBay, along with the many sponsors and supporters who made this incredible night possible.

Thank you for helping shine a light on what is possible for our youth.

If you couldn’t attend and would still like to support our mission, visit: https://give.amikids.org/event/amikids-lighting-the-way-gala/e762027

05/11/2026

Some days, our youth are facing more than anyone realizes.

And in those moments, AMIkids nurses are there - providing care, administering medications, responding to illness and crisis, and helping ensure each young person’s health and well-being are supported every step of the way.

This National Nurses Week, we proudly recognize our program nurses Hillary Hartz, Monica Phillips, Ashley Hoang, Crystal Rivers, Alexis Monroe, Hillary Hollis, Tiffany Hall and Sheena Jones.

Thank you for the compassion, professionalism, and steady care you bring to our programs and the youth we serve every day. 💙

05/10/2026

💐 This Mother’s Day, we honor the strength behind our youth. 💐

At AMIkids, we see mothers and caregivers showing up in hard moments. Listening, empowering, and standing beside young people as they learn and grow.

Some relationships are healing. Some are being rebuilt. All are rooted in care.

Today, we thank the mothers and mother figures helping youth take steps forward and believe, little by little, “I CAN.”

🧡 Happy Mother’s Day.

05/09/2026

🌠Tonight is the AMIkids 2026 Lighting the Way Gala🌠

Can't make it in person? YOU can still be part of the magic!

Our 🔇Silent Auction💰 is OPEN to the public.
Bidding is from 6 PM to 8 PM EST
View all the amazing experiences and bid: https://qtego.us/qlink/

➕

Enter to 🌊 WIN 🌊 a 2025 Yamaha Marine VX Cruiser HO WaveRunner & custom Magic Tilt Trailers
Get your ticket now! https://give.amikids.org/Make-Waves

📺 LIVE Drawing at 9:30 PM EST — Watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/AMIkids/live_videos/

Every bid and every ticket helps light the way for a young person to see - and believe - in the power of “I CAN.”

05/08/2026

Tomorrow night, we’ll announce the winner of the 2025 Yamaha WaveRunner and custom Magic Tilt trailer raffle, live on Facebook from the AMIkids Lighting the Way Gala at 9:30 PM EST.

There’s still time to enter. Your $25 ticket gives you a chance to win, and helps young people take a step forward, build confidence, and discover what they’re capable of. At AMIkids, that moment matters. It’s when a young person begins to believe, “I CAN.” 💙

🎟️ Get your ticket now:
https://give.amikids.org/Make-Waves

📺 Don’t forget to tune in:
https://www.facebook.com/AMIkids/live_videos/

🍀 Good luck! 🍀

05/07/2026

⏳ Just two days until the AMIkids 2026 Lighting the Way Gala!

If you can’t join us in person but still want to make a difference, there’s still time to participate in our silent auction! Bidding is open to the public this Saturday, May 9, from 6–8 PM EST.

Featured items include:
⛳ Golf foursome on Copperhead Course at world-famous Innisbrook Resort
🏈 Two100-level Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL tickets + $500 Delta flight credit + $500 Marriott hotel credit
🎟️ 4 SeaWorld + 4 Aquatica Orlando tickets, plus a stay at the Renaissance Orlando Resort
✨ Girls’ getaway at Hostess House & Grand Central Brewhouse package
🧖‍♀️ Safety Harbor Resort and Spa getaway … just in time for Mother’s Day, making a meaningful gift that also supports a powerful mission

Every bid helps create opportunities for young people to build confidence, overcome challenges, and discover what they’re truly capable of, taking meaningful steps forward toward a future where they believe I CAN.

➡️ Register and bid today: https://qtego.us/qlink/amikids

Address

5915 Benjamin Center Drive
Tampa, FL
33634

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18138873300

Website

https://give.amikids.org/give/186722/, https://amikids.org/get-involved/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when AMIkids posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Tampa?