Why Kids and Fishing

The Kids & Fishing program has already been a huge success in the number of deserving children we have reached and their activities that have reduced coastal pollution.

By creating a safe, supervised, fun program, we are assisting participants in developing skills they can use for future growth, responsibility, team work, accountability, and pride in seeing a task completed. We instill hope for a better world.

Our incentive-based program educates and expands young inspired minds through marine awareness. After participating in clean-ups, in-class lectures from Heal the Bay, and tours of local aquariums, the participants are rewarded for their efforts in coastal conservation, with a day of fishing. There is no fee charged to the participants of this program, as all of the costs are covered by donations and contributions.

Kids & Fishing is currently working to create cleaner oceans with the SEA Laboratory in Redondo Beach, California and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), the largest nonprofit youth organization in the country. LACC’s Clean and Green environmental work and service program is an eight-week program for 13-17 year old participants who conduct community and volunteer work, as well as attend hands-on marine education at The SEA Laboratory.

 “By partnering with the Clean and Green environmental work and service program, Kids & Fishing is giving the students an up-close look at what they are working to protect,” said Giancarlo Cetrulo, director of the L.A. Conservation Corps' SEA Lab.

"We are trying to create an opportunity to be involved so they have some sense that their actions in their own neighborhoods affect the ocean which could be 15 or 20 miles away," he said.

As the Kids & Fishing program grows through additional funding, it will be able to reach more deserving groups from underserved communities in Southern California. As we grow, we will also expand our efforts throughout the entire Pacific Coast before expanding to the East coast. Eventually, we will be established as a worldwide environmental organization that creates a cleaner world for everyone to enjoy.

Why is this program needed

• Turn on the television or radio. Open any paper. You’ll have your answer:

• Budget cuts close after school programs.

• Gang life is seen as the only alternative for many.

• Over 50% of the lakes and streams are not clean enough to swim in.

• Urban runoff is the greatest polluter of our oceans.

• Drastic changes need to be made for the health of our oceans.

Kids need to be kids! They are not getting the support or opportunities they deserve. By supporting this program, you will help kids understand that they do count. They can feel proud about being a part of something worthwhile. They can feel a part of something bigger then just their neighborhood. By getting involved as a sponsor or volunteer, you will also know that you can make a difference in the world.