2021 Stories of Stoke: Mentor Highlight: Matthew Goodrich
Introducing Matthew Goodrich: Hanai Mentor Group Leader
My name is Matthew Goodrich and although I moved around a lot as a child, much of my development occurred in Filer, Idaho. My hometown was a town of fewer than 1600 people at the time my family lived there.
My most profound development, however, as a human, father, spouse and volunteer has occurred here in my home, San Diego, where I’ve lived for nearly 26 years.
I love to play music, ukulele, guitar, percussion and harmonica and sing along with my favorite songs or some that I’ve written myself. I rediscovered surfing in 2009 and found greater solace in the waves than I had experienced previously. It seemed so much more recreational prior to that, but now it seems more like a peaceful reset, a healing of sorts.
How long you have been with US4K and how did you get involved?
I found US4K in 2014 via a Craigslist post seeking a web design volunteer and monthly surf instructors. After 6 months of putting off responding, I finally volunteered in December of that year. I’ve volunteered at nearly every surf camp and attended each of our Hanai mentorship team outings since.
What is your favorite US4K experience?
There are so many individual experiences with kids or volunteers that I could not do justice to the others by naming just one so I’ll say that my favorite overarching experience is to see “the light”. That light that shines in a new volunteer’s eyes when they make that soulful connection with a participant. The newly discovered light that fuels them to want to do more, to give more. The light that sparks a new beginning for one of our participants who can finally let go of all of the hurt and just be a kid for a day at the beach. The light that connects them with hope for a better life. That light is my favorite part of US4K and that’s why I keep coming back. To feel the light myself and to see the light in others.
What does US4K mean to you?
Music and surfing are two amazing pieces of my life that offer peace of mind and an opportunity to give. Having the opportunity to share those two really important things in my life that can offer healing and peace to others is the most powerful thing that I’ve come across. Urban has offered me a venue to give, to share, to support others, to share in love, Aloha, with so many new people over the years. US4K has given me Ohana, a large extension of my family, and means more than words can express. I count myself blessed beyond measure to play a part in the mission to serve children in need.
Why should others join us?
If you want to make a difference in your life and a difference in others’ lives, you should join Urban Surf 4 Kids as a volunteer. Giving of yourself makes an immeasurable difference in a child’s life whether it’s being a child’s sand castle building partner, soccer ball kicking teammate, wave splashing buddy, surf instructor, or boogie board pusher. A single moment in time can create light for someone in need, someone in darkness and YOU can create that moment by volunteering.
Join us.
Aloha :0)
