Boarding House Mentors

Mission Statement

Boarding House Mentors is a non-profit organization that transforms the lives of under-served youth by introducing them to the exhilaration of board sports. We provide a safe and supportive community environment which promotes positive self-image, inspires self-confidence, fosters healthy lifestyles, and encourages respect and awareness for the environment. BHM is an all-volunteer organization.


Volunteers

Boarding House Mentors is a California-based 501c-3 nonprofit organization of dedicated volunteers who believe in transforming young lives through surfing.  Volunteers hail from all walks of life with the shared desire to Pass the Stoke of surfing to our participants. Many volunteers return year after year to be part of a special community.


Board of Directors

Lisa Priestley

Board Member

Trini Ornelas

Secretary & Treasurer

Jacob Martinez

Youth Board Member & WebsiteMaster

Maria Busby

President/Co-Founder


Advisory Board

Grace P Kastenberg

David Ader

 

Youth Participants

BHM invites youth oriented programs in the greater Los Angeles area to join in the summer fun.  BHM serves youth ages 8-17. Youth organizations provide transportation and chaperones.  If you would like your youth group to be involved in the summer programs click here. 


Boarding House Mentors Origins

Boarding House Mentors (BHM) was established in the summer of 2002 by Alan Scott and Maria Busby.  Alan Scott, an artist and former Dog Town and Z-boy, grew up in a tough neighborhood and credited surfing as saving his life. He wanted to give back to the sport that saved him.  Maria Busby a former NSSA competitor dreamed of transforming the lives of young people by sharing her love of surfing, a sport that had changed her life.   Together they created BHM to bring volunteers from the surf community together with at-risk youth.   After being turned down by a number of community organizations, Alan connected with Tony LoRe, founder of Youth Mentoring Connection.  Tony recognized Alan's passion and the value of the program.  Tony shared Alan and Maria's belief that it was possible to change the lives of youth by introducing them to the sport of surfing. 

Alan and Maria recruited volunteer surfers and Tony brought some young boys and girls from his program along with their adult mentors.   The first Boarding House surf session was held on Bay Street Beach, south of the Santa Monica pier on June 6, 2002.  It was a huge success. The volunteers had a great time working with these boys and girls who never dreamed they could have so much fun.  Volunteer, Chris Black said, “We came to inspire these kids, but we are the ones who were inspired.”  The experience opened up a whole new world to these young people.  Many of them had never been to the beach.  They felt a great sense of accomplishment and exhilaration when they stood up and rode the waves.  More importantly, they discovered a new community that welcomed them as “surfers”.  They held their heads high, walked taller and smiled from ear to ear. Boarding House Mentors has been growing ever since.