Waves of Healing for Fire-Impacted Angelenos

Wildfire relief

South Bay County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

Los Angeles is no stranger to wildfires, but the 2025 LA Wildfires raging nearly the entire month of January were among the most catastrophic in U.S. history. These back-to-back disasters now rank as the second and third most destructive wildfires in California, devastating entire communities, claiming lives, and displacing thousands. While exact figures are still being assessed, at least 150,000 people were directly affected. Beyond the physical destruction, the emotional toll has been immense, with widespread increases in anxiety, depression, loss of sleep, and PTSD. For the victims, the trauma didn't end when the flames were extinguished. Healing the invisible wounds left behind will take years, if not a lifetime. Mental health recovery is not a quick fix; it demands ongoing, community-led efforts rooted in compassion, resilience, and connection. Supporting survivors' emotional and psychological well-being is a priority in both the short and long term.

Our program is a community-centered surf therapy initiative designed to address the emotional and psychological recovery of individuals and families affected by the 2025 LA Wildfires. Unlike traditional mental health services that occur in clinical or institutional settings, our initiative offers a trauma-informed, nature-based approach to healing. We'll provide free surf therapy sessions at LA's most iconic and accessible beaches, transforming them into spaces of refuge and renewal for wildfire survivors. These sessions are designed to support participants' mental and physical well-being, offering an inclusive environment where individuals can reconnect with their bodies, calm their nervous systems, and experience the therapeutic benefits of the ocean.
Each session, led by licensed mental health professionals and trained surf instructors, combines the healing power of the ocean with evidence-based therapeutic practices. This professional support creates a safe, inclusive space for all ages and skill levels. Through guided ocean immersion, mindfulness techniques, and physical activity, survivors can process trauma, rebuild emotional resilience, and reconnect with themselves and their community.
What makes our program unique is its integration of nature and movement in a culturally relevant, accessible format. Beyond surf sessions, we'll offer wellness workshops, peer support, and referrals to ongoing mental health care, fostering community and support among the participants.

Our long-term efforts include redefining how LA County approaches mental health recovery by writing a policy brief to advocate for the inclusion of surf therapy in the CMHSA. We will present data and research demonstrating the effectiveness of surf therapy. Our short-term efforts will serve at least 400 wildfire survivors through free, trauma-informed surf therapy sessions, mindfulness workshops, and community support circles. Participants will gain tools to reduce anxiety, strengthen emotional resilience, and reconnect. Our vision for success includes expanding to additional beaches across LA County, training local surf instructors and mental health professionals in our model, and forming partnerships with schools, clinics, and emergency response agencies. By integrating mental health support into natural, accessible spaces, we will create a more inclusive, community-centered healing model. Surf therapy is a replicable blueprint for post-disaster recovery across California and beyond.