Grapevine couple’s skateboard and mentoring program helps at-risk youth stay on track

A few years ago, Josh and Sarah Beth Hurley wanted to do something to mentor young folks. So, the husband-wife duo turned to the things they know best — skateboarding and fostering.

Josh, a former professional skateboarder, was also a runaway as a teenager and later struggled with addiction. Sarah is a former foster parent. Together, they realize the effect a positive role model can have.

So, the Grapevine couple started SwitchLife with the mission of being those role models. Now, that program has helped show more than 1,000 youths — mostly middle-school age — a positive direction in life.

“Probably the biggest thing kids learn in our programs is how to overcome fear. They fall, they get back up, and we encourage them to keep trying,” Josh said. “Achieving mastery of a skill like skateboarding increases self-confidence. Consequently, we see better grades and peer and family relationships in youth enrolled in our clinics.”

Sarah said working in Child Protective Services for several years gave her an up-close picture of what kids in marginalized communities deal with and what their needs truly are.

“We work with all ages but like to focus on middle school kids, as this is the age their choices really start to impact who they might become,” Sarah said. “We speak a lot about the power of your choices in our clinics, and mentor our kids to make positive ones.”

Josh has been sober for 12 years. As part of their mentoring he frequently discusses his poor choices, his time as a runaway, and his decision to change his life through sobriety.

“It is so much more than skateboard lessons. These are life skills, using skateboarding as a tool,” Josh said. “We teach the kids the four P’s. Prepare. Practice. Progress. Persist. These are concepts we hope follow our students throughout their lives.”

Making a difference in the community

Sarah said she and Josh are inspired by the success stories they’ve witnessed with the youngsters they’ve worked with. One story in particular encourages them to keep going, she said.

“One day, when I was exhausted by everything that running a nonprofit entails, I drove from the house over to our Las Vegas Trail clinic to deliver dinner. I arrived at the clinic and it just happened to be a day that a lot of parents were outside with the kids and our instructors,” she recalled. “All of the parents were coming up to me, thanking me for this program.

“One of our kids has autism, and had always been afraid of group sports. Because of his participation in SwitchLife, he was now on a basketball team. His mom told me all of this, and it brought me to tears and renewed my desire to continue programming.”

SwitchLife started in 2016 by providing free lessons at community events. Now, it has expanded to include monthly clinics for HopeKids, an organization that provides free activities for children and families impacted by a life-threatening illness.

They also do a yearly Christmas drive and regularly give away free skateboards and gear to children in need.

And, until recently, they ran an after-school program at the Las Vegas Trail community center, providing a weekly clinic plus meals for up to 100 children per month. Sarah said this is something they’d love to start again — and not only there, but other places as well.

They have also provided free clinics in Haltom City in the past.

COVID, funding issues a tough challenge

“Funding became our biggest challenge in this economy, which is why we unfortunately had to close this program. We have almost zero overhead, but we do have to pay our instructors and feed the kids in our programs,” she said. “This runs us about $500 per month. We also have insurance and equipment costs. Josh and I do not take money from the program, as we feel it is our ministry to the community.”

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t help at all. They worked through it, albeit not in person.

“COVID required us to stop all in-person programming. To combat this, we handed out about a hundred free skateboards and provided free Zoom lessons,” Josh said.

Despite the funding challenges, Sarah said they are constantly evaluating options and are optimistic they will continue to find a way to carry on their mission.

“We are setting up a scholarship program for the skate lessons we run at our shop (Ayni Skate Shop in Roanoke),” she said. “SwitchLife has always been its own boss, and it goes where it is most needed, so I have faith this will continue.”