A Summer of Giving

I volunteered this summer with children who have special needs, foster children and at-risk youth, burn survivors and people with visual impairment and blindness.

I quit my job as a software engineer in April 2018 to spend the summer giving to children in need.

As a long time volunteer with a handful of organizations I thought I could make a bigger difference in the world, for at least 6 months or so, by being directly involved with some of our most vulnerable fellow citizens, foster youth and children with special needs. They have made an immeasureable impact on my life to say the least.

We surfed, played music, built sand castles, splashed around in the water, had bonfires on the beach, all the things someone might take for granted if those were readily available and easily accessible.

You see, foster children don’t get to have that outlet, a day at the beach or a fun time in the water, unless there is an organization that takes on the legal responsibility, the liability, in case something happens. Urban Surf 4 Kids provides that liability and takes children from group homes, foster homes and agencies to a place where they can just be kids.

Through mentorship programs, beach days, volunteer projects and empowerment, Urban Surf 4 Kids directly shapes the lives of young people by showing them that anything is possible, anything is achievable, and everyone that gives of themselves together can become Ohana, family.

I give fully because I’ve met children who have suffered neglect, physical, psychological and sexual abuse, horrific violence and torture. I’ve met kids who were just at the wrong end of a parent or family member’s bad day, short temper and wits end and are permanently physically and emotionally scarred because of it. I’ve met people who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, victims of someone else’s carelessness or stupidity, all of them survivors of some tragedy that shapes their world.

I give openly because in many cases I was just there to spend time listening, time just watching the sunlight fade, time playing a song and singing, time sitting on a boat, time teaching someone to surf, time teaching someone to play a ukulele, and time hearing what it sounds like to be free, truly free, even if just for a moment.

I give willingly because I know you’ve heard it, a hoot, a yip, a yawp, a sound of pure joy and that sound is unmistakeable because it comes from someone, from some place inside that someone, that for far too long hasn’t had anything to yip about. Not until now, this moment, this place, this time. I revel in that sound because it refuels that spark that told me to do this. I quit my job for this, all of this, every moment of it. Every tear of longing, every cry of sheer joy, every gasp of awe at the beauty of that sound.

I give wholeheartedly because somewhere in the world near you, near me, there is someone in need of someone to spend time with them, listening to them, listening with them, hearing them, teaching them, showing them that just by spending time together some sort of healing can begin.

I give because maybe someone in need will see that there’s light at the end of whatever long tunnel lies ahead because someone simply gave them some time. I know that it takes just a moment to make a difference in someone’s life and I long for those moments to keep occurring.

I give with no expectations because of a simple hope to inspire you, or someone else to decide when that moment is that they too will give of themselves and how positive that difference can be for someone else in the world. I know that there is an immeasurable impact that it can have on someone else’s life, that I know you can have on someone else’s life, especially if all they need is a little bit of time.

I give because I hope you too can take your passion and give it away, volunteer in your area doing something you love, inspire someone else to be a change for good, make a difference in their life, give them hope.

I give with no regret because in a truly unique and rare situation I was punched, kicked, bitten, spit on, pinched, scratched, thumbs and fingers twisted, eyes gouged at, had sand thrown in my face, cussed out and head butted by a participant with special needs that had a meltdown. I would not have been in a position to help this young person had I not made the decision to spend my summer in service of others.

I give so wholly because after that 45 minutes with one of our participants, he just wore himself out and gave up and I got to just hold him close for one final moment and whisper in his ear, “I’m always here for you, whatever you need young man, whenever you need it.”

I give so deeply because when I let go, stood up and slowly walked toward the water that young man ran away, looking back every few steps as though I was going to chase him down. When he finally stopped about 50 yards away and turned around I raised a single hand and signed ‘I love you’.

When I got down to the water and knelt in the waves and immersed in the cool embrace of the lapping waves and reflected on what just happened, perhaps to wash it all away. I still get emotional for this young one who has had to endure so much at such a young age and certainly for so many more that continue to have to endure their own hardships.

I give because I cannot imagine what that’s like, how much of a toll so much pain can have on a person’s soul to experience so much trauma through no fault of their own.

This has been a summer to remember for all my life, bringing kids to San Diego from Nevada and Arizona who had never even seen the ocean before to partake in its wonder, beauty and healing power, sharing an opportunity to give a surf experience to the blind community with local foster youth who have developed a new strength and are empowered to give back to others and transforming lives with simple acts of kindness and love, sharing the majesty of our ocean to heal our childrens’ hurts, calm their minds and soothe their souls.

First Beach shows our partnership project with Reef to bring Foster Youth from Arizona to the beach for their very first time seeing the ocean and experiencing our beautiful playground.

First Beach | Reef

Our kids are amazing and I wish I could spend more time with them all, do more for them all, make a bigger difference for them all and mostly I wish you could spend some time with them too.

I give as a monthly financial donor, as a board member, as a mentor, as a water safety and surf instructor, as a musical teacher, as a technology resource as a volunteer and so much more, but mostly I give because it fills the deepest and hardest to reach parts of my soul with love and joy.

I give because the greatest gift I have been given, is the opportunity to do so.

I am a volunteer with Urban Surf 4 Kids.

Please join us for a surf camp, a mentorship group or any opportunity to serve others in need. I hope that it will fuel your soul for more as it has mine.

Aloha to you friend