Global Surf Industries has partnered with Boarding House Mentors, a California-based nonprofit organization that brings the “stoke” of surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding to at-risk and disadvantaged youth. Boarding House Mentors is made up of a group of dedicated volunteers who work closely together to coordinate the many aspects required to bring their surfing, snowboarding and, soon, skateboarding programs to fruition.
“We are very thankful for GSIs generous support of much needed soft boards. Their sponsorship will allow us to more effectively operate our surf programs. GSIs company mantra, “Life is better when you surf” is highly complementary to BHMs motto, Pass the Stoke. GSI is helping us to bring these programs to at-risk youth who may not have the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of surfing-together we can continue to Pass the Stoke to more at-risk youth”, shared Andy Kastenberg, BHM Board Member and volunteer.
More than teaching kids about board sports, BHM programs create a unique, safe and healthy community environment where BHM youth make new friends, encourage each other and learn a new challenging sport. “Its much more than teaching kids how to surf, its about teaching these kids skills to grow as young people who contribute to society in a positive way. Board sports are a vehicle to achieve those goals”, said Maria Busby, BHMs Program Coordinator and Co-Founder.
BHM works with experienced youth development organizations in Los Angeles that identify at-risk youth that may benefit from BHM programs. Many of these youth have never even been to the beach, though they live a short distance away. Tony LoRe, President & CEO of Youth Mentoring Connection, represents one of these organizations. “Theres a couple of young men out here that, until they came to the beach, I never saw them smile,” LoRe said. “About 15 minutes after we got to the beach, they had a huge smile plastered on their face. These kids are sliding away from the influence of gangs. By being exposed to BHM volunteers they can see somebody does care about them.”
BHM is gearing up for their 4th summer surf season that will take place at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades, California. BHM is partially funded and supported by program sponsors, individuals and foundations. BHMs most pressing needs include cargo trailers to transport their equipment, food donations, equipment for their snowboarding programs and volunteers to help run their programs. BHM operates under a permit through the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and has plans to expand their programs up and down the California coastline and ultimately to the east coast.
