Bellwether Financial Group is spearheading an outreach program to introduce underserved youth from both local and inland communities to aquatic activities including swim lessons, ocean education, whale watching, surfing, kayaking and sailing.
Since it started in August 2022, the Underserved Youth Program has provided hundreds of children and teens in the community the opportunity to experience ocean education and activities, often for the very first time. This year, the program aims to provide ocean experiences and education to more than 1,000 underserved youths.
To implement the program, Dana Point Harbor Partners LLC (DPHP) has partnered with the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, the Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano and San Juan Elementary School.
“As we enter into our first full year, it is incredible that we have more than 20 organizations participating in our efforts,” said Joe Ueberroth, founder and president, Bellwether Financial Group. “My partners and I look forward to continuing this program in 2023 and beyond for seeing the smile and reaction of a child that has just learned to swim or stepped on their first boat or rode their first wave never loses its magic for all of us involved.”
The most recent whale watching trip with Big Brothers Big Sisters took place on Jan. 28 on the Manute’a, one of Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari’s catamarans.
Bellwether Financial Group is a partner in DPHP and the firm is responsible for Dana Point Harbor Marina operations and redevelopment. The $400 million, multiyear revitalization of Dana Point Harbor commenced at The Marina at Dana Point in August 2022. In collaboration with the California Coastal Commission, DPHP will improve public access to the water through the intricate design of The Marina and the newly developed community outreach programs.