Our Mission is to help as many people suffering from mental and physical illness as our resources will allow.
The Jimmy Miller Ocean Therapy Foundation
About The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation
The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation was created to honor the life and legacy of Jimmy Miller, a renowned South Bay waterman, by sharing Jimmy’s love of the ocean and surfing with those suffering from mental, emotional and physical illness.
JMMF is recognized as the world leader in the developing field of Ocean/Surf Therapy which combines therapist-led group talk discussions with the challenge of learning how to surf and other ocean-related activities.
What We Do
JMMF pioneered the formation of a unique outdoor recreational therapy protocol called Ocean Therapy. Our model combines therapist-led group discussion sessions and surfing (and other ocean-related activities) to provide relief, promote healing, increase self-esteem and self-efficacy and assist participants in finding balance and joy in their lives.
We serve a variety of populations that suffer from trauma-induced mental, emotional and physical illness including active-duty military, veterans, at-risk (“at-promise”) youth, healthcare workers, first responders, victims and survivors, people with special needs and the neurodivergent populations.
Thanks to our amazing supporters and volunteers, all of our Ocean Therapy sessions are offered free of charge to our participants.
Recurring Monthly Donors Campaign: Choose A New Year’s Resolution That Changes Lives
For 2026, choose a resolution with real impact. When you give monthly to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, you help provide ongoing ocean therapy sessions, trained support teams, and continued access for our military, veterans, youth, healthcare workers, first responders, survivors, and our neurodivergent populations. Monthly giving helps us plan ahead, expand our reach, and say “yes” to more people who need this proven, transformative outdoor recreational therapy.
Gratitude Gifts
$25 per month = JMMF License Plate Frame
$50 per month = JMMF Ocean Therapy Program plush beach towel
$100 per month = Hand made JMMF Supporter Wooden Desktop art by Chip Herwegh
JMMF featured in Psychology Today: Surf Therapy for PTSD Recovery
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Surf Therapy for PTSD Recovery Surfing offers healing through exposure, belonging, and awe. Updated January 13, 2026 | By Jaimie Lusk, Psy.D., | Reviewed
CEO 2025 Annual Report
Click here for our full JMMF 2025 CEO Annual Recap
Seize the Day
Seize the Day: Part One On a sunny September Friday, Jeff texted from the lifeguard stand where he was finishing up his required hours to
Upcoming Ocean Therapy Sessions
Our season is in full swing and we need volunteers.
Join us in the joy of healing others one wave at a time!
You will be glad you did!
Who We Help With Our Ocean Therapy
Pioneers of Ocean/ Surf Therapy
The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation pioneered the development of Ocean/Surf Therapy under the early direction of Dr. Carly Rogers during her Masters and then Doctorate programs at the University of Southern California. The JMMF team collectively wrote the Ocean/Surf Therapy manual that has been adopted by most organizations offering surf therapy today. As a founding member of ISTO (International Surf Therapy Organization), JMMF continues to lead the field, expanding to serve more populations in more areas and has the largest staff of trained ocean/surf therapists in the world.
Our Impact
Numbers tell part of the story, but not all of it. Last year alone:
Sessions Held 81+
Participants 500+
Volunteers 458
Lives Impacted: Countless
Sessions Held 55
(62% increase over 2021)
Participants 400+
(77% more than 2021)
Volunteers 600+
3000+ Volunteer Hours (79% increase)
105% Funding Increase Over 2021
Maintained 80% Goal of Budget Going Directly to Programming
