Home - Jimmy Miller Foundation

Healing others, and ourselves, one wave at a time.

Healing others, and ourselves, one wave at a time.

The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation is the world-leader in providing Ocean Therapy for people suffering from trauma-induced mental and physical illness. All of our Ocean Therapy sessions are led by licensed ocean therapists who focus on creating a safe space and meeting our participants “where they are.”

We serve a variety of populations including active duty military and veterans, at risk (“at promise”) youth, healthcare workers and special needs/disabled populations.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, all of our sessions are offered free of charge to our participants.

When I’m surfing, I’m totally in the moment, not thinking about anything or anyone else. I am free again. Surfing has literally saved my life.

They didn't know who they were before without their eating disorder, but up there on the wave, that person with the eating disorder went away. They got a chance to see who they might be.

Ocean Therapy is exactly what I needed today. It got me out of the house for the first time in two weeks and I feel amazing.

The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation is the world-leader in providing Ocean Therapy for people suffering from trauma-induced mental and physical illness. All of our Ocean Therapy sessions are led by licensed ocean therapists who focus on creating a safe space and meeting our participants “where they are.”

We serve a variety of populations including active duty military and veterans, at risk (“at promise”) youth, healthcare workers and special needs/disabled populations.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, all of our sessions are offered free of charge to our participants.

When I’m surfing, I’m totally in the moment, not thinking about anything or anyone else. I am free again. Surfing has literally saved my life.

They didn't know who they were before without their eating disorder, but up there on the wave, that person with the eating disorder went away. They got a chance to see who they might be.

Ocean Therapy is exactly what I needed today. It got me out of the house for the first time in two weeks and I feel amazing.

JMMF 2024 CEO Annual Recap

2024 was a banner year for JMMF. While we mourned the loss of Jimmy
(20 years), Kevin Sousa and countless others that left us too soon, we also
hosted more Ocean Therapy sessions (71 to be exact) and helped more
people (410) suffering from mental and physical illness as a result of
trauma and stressors. For that, we are grateful. While our team and our
programming have adapted to serve the changing needs of the populations
we work with, our mission has not. Our mission is to help as many people
as our resources will allow. Simple…I like simple and easy to understand
mission statements!
One of our largest initiatives in 2024 was launching our program for First
Responders – police, fire, medics, dispatch, etc. It all started with an simple
question: Have you ever thought about offering an Ocean Therapy program
for first responders?

Click here for our full JMMF 2024 CEO Annual Recap.

Jeff Miller, Kevin Cody Greg Browning Pat Reardon

THE JIMMY SURF FIESTA – Recap

October 16, 2024 No Comments

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making the 2024 Jimmy Surf Fiesta such an amazing day. From our presenting sponsors – MB Rotary Club and Fresh Brothers

Group of onlookers watching the surf action in Manhattan Beach during the annual Jimmy Miller Foundation's Surf Fiesta

Friends surf for fun, funds at Jimmy Miller Surf Fiesta

October 16, 2024

the Jimmy Surf Fiesta

Get Ready for ‘The Jimmy’ Surf Fiesta

October 10, 2024

Jimmy Miller teaches surfing

BeneFiesta – Daily Breeze

July 31, 2024

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

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 California. JMMF therapists and clinicians literally 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 surf therapists in the world.

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 California. JMMF therapists and clinicians literally 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 surf therapists in the world.

Our Impact

Numbers tell part of the story, but not all of it. Last year alone:

Sessions Held 55

62% increase over 2021

Participants 400+

77% more than 2021

Volunteers 600+

3000+ Volunteer Hours | 79% increase

105% Funding Increase

80% to Programming

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

Check out JMMF Ocean Therapy In Action