UrbanSurf4kids / Vida Outreach – THE DREAM- Community Center -La Mision,Baja + future!

One of the greatest joys in life is seeing something you dream about come true-

UrbanSurf4kids started in late 2008 with a simple hope- Taking foster/orphan youth (starting in Baja & San Diego) surfing, with the hope of inspiring them to serve our communities through volunteer outreach. What has happen since, is what we call the “Evolution of UrbanSurf4kids”

As our camps began to expand to other water based activities such as paddle boarding,sailing,scuba diving,and kayaking. We could literally see the foster/orphans youth beaming with joy @ our events! Thus, trust was being built and when we began to combine powerful volunteer opportunities- (such as events with Ronald McDonald House, beach clean ups & education with SurfRider Foundation, Health & Fitness events, painting projects,etc. ) doors were opening in the hearts of these youth!

The question became-”What can we do on a more consistent basis?” (We provide a water based event and volunteer opportunity once a month)

This is where we began to DREAM! What if we could provide an actual facility for foster/orphan youth? A place devoted to them to encourage and inspire- What if this location offered tutoring? Reading incentive programs? Leadership training? Health & Fitness Education? All of this continuing to be modeled around the concept we started with- Water based activities and a commitment to serving our neighbors.  So, the wheels began to spin………but……What do you do with a big dream and a limited budget??????

Fast forward to January 2012- Our program UrbanSurf4kids, has been serving the orphanages of La Mision Baja for several years at this point. We notice a vacant 900 sq ft retail location in the heart of this small community 50 minutes south of border. With complete FAITH and no plan,we rent this building-(I spoke English, landlord spoke SPANISH!). With this hope “Once we share this dream with others, somehow & someway this IS GOING TO HAPPEN”

Immediately,I drive over to the Door of Faith (www.dofo.org) and share the news with DJ (who helps oversee the orphanage). DJ says “Wes, funny I know a couple who have this same dream”!! Full of excitement I listen to DJ share about Mike and Becky Spitz who live in the community. Mike, happens to be from San Diego and an excellent surfer! Over the course of the last few month we have together began to build this dream.

The La Mision community center will open within a few weeks- Here is the model- Membership is completely free to the youth and orphans of the area, however they are required to provide 3 hours of community services per month to maintain their membership! So, HERE WE GO! The center will open with laptops,desktops,kindles with Spanish books on them, sewing center,English classes,ping pong table, foosball table,sofa lounge area,coffe/juice bar,and more!

Thanks to all who have shared this vision in Baja-  Mike & Becky Spitz, Jenn Dave & Cassie Calverts, Carol Matteson, Shane Engel, DJ & Lynette Schuetze,Rocky Detzel,and so many of the community members of La Mision Baja!

The dream now is, lets offer this same concept to San Diego, Orange County, and Tijuana! Let’s even DREAM bigger- Warehouse-complete with UrbanSkate4kids program and how about a wave rider machine? WHY NOT?

We are now at the point of seeking major funding so this DREAM can be fulfilled! Contact us direct if you can help-  619.931.4958   Wesley Stewart  UrbanSurf4kids-