Big Waves Foundation Inc

OUR MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE POSITIVE MIND AND BODY HEALTH BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY AND OUTLET FOR YOUNG ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE IN WATER POLO WITH THE INTENTION THAT THIS SPACE CREATES A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG ATHLETES TO FEEL AND PROCESS DIFFERENT EMOTIONS. OUR VISION IS TO PROVIDE A CONSTRUCTIVE OUTLET FOR YOUTH TO OVERCOME DIFFICULT EMOTIONS IN ORDER TO PROCESS THEM IN A HEALTHY WAY. IN DOING THIS,BIG WAVES INTENDS ON FURTHER IMPACTING LEGISLATION AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND GUN VIOLENCE.

THIS YEAR WAS THE FIRST IN MANY THAT FELT "NORMAL" WHERE WE COULD GATHER IN PERSON, SHAKE HANDS, AND EVEN HUG OTHERS. ALTHOUGH THE WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME HAVING GONE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE ALL LEARNED TO ADAPT AND MOVE FORWARD IN FUNCTIONAL WAYS. BIG WAVES CONTINUED TO PUSH FORWARD, ADAPT, AND EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMS AS WELL AS MAKE STRIDES DEVELOPING NEW PROGRAMS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS. HERE ARE SOME OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: THREE COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVES THAT GENERATED 106 UNITS OF BLOOD HELPING AS MANY AS 193 PEOPLE. AWARDED 30,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO SIX COLORADO STUDENT RECIPIENTS TOWARDS SECONDARY EDUCATION. FUNDED YOUTH WATER POLO PROGRAMMING IN COLORADO FUNDED 9 YOUTH GUN SAFETY TRAINING CLASSES EDUCATING 89 YOUTH FROM 6 TO 18 YEARS OLD PRODUCED 4 GUN LOCK INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS FUNDED OUR FIRST HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP WITH MORE BEING PLANNED. SHIPPED HUNDREDS OF FREE GUN LOCKS TO RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTY. VOLUNTEERED 100'S OF HOURS SUPPORTING COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH. THERE IS MORE, BUT THESE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE COMPLETED IN 2022 WITH YOUR HELP. ALL OF THIS WAS DONE ON A 100% VOLUNTEER BASIS. OUR OVERHEAD IS APPROXIMATELY 8% OF OUR BUDGET WHICH MEANS THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE MONEY WE RAISE GOES DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. IN THE COMING YEAR WE WILL CONTINUE DEVELOPING OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SUPPORTING KIDS AND OUR GUN SAFETY INITIATIVES PARTNERING WITH ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONS.