For Giving Tuesday, we put out the call to our network to ask about their favorite city-based non-profits helping to get people outdoors. We just wanted to say thank you for everyone that replied and brought our attention to these amazing organizations.
Boston Outdoor Non-profit: Youth Enrichment Services
Say YES to Boston’s Youth Enrichment Services, a 50+ year old organization inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., YES is dedicated to bringing low to moderate income youth outdoors to develop leadership skills. You’ll find them everywhere from the slopes to the crag and on rivers and lakes in between.
Chicago Outdoor Non-profit: Chicago Adventure Therapy
Specifically focused on helping youth access Chicago’s blue spaces – you’ll find Chicago Adventure Therapy supporting youth of all ages both emotionally and physically through outdoor adventures and community programming.
Denver Outdoor Non-profit: Always Choose Adventures
Always Choose Adventures is on a mission to help people of all backgrounds and abilities to find the outdoors. They host varies events every month that connect people with cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, autism, traumatic brain injuries, asthma, COPD and chronic pain get into the great outdoors.
Los Angeles Outdoor Non-profit: STOKED Mentoring
With outposts in Los Angeles and NYC, STOKED is a youth development non-profit that leverages mentorship to empower underserved youth. You’ll find STOKED mentors supporting students on surfboards, skateboards and snowboards. We were so inspired by STOKED that we decided to interview their founder Steve:
Pittsburgh Outdoor Non-profit: Major Taylor Cycling Club
The Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club aims to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities through bicycling. Through group rides, bike education and a youth training program, they specifically aim to engage urban-dwelling communities of color with the goal of providing social support, increasing joy, and encouraging health benefits.
NYC Outdoor Non-profit: Hoods to Woods
Hoods to Woods is dedicated to youth development through mentorship and snowboarding. Led by founders Brian Paupaw and Omar Diaz, the organizations brings inner city youth to the slopes to create positive experiences and share the power of time outdoors.
We even interviewed the founders last year to learn more:
Seattle Outdoor Non-profit: the Service Board
The Service Board focuses on programming and include snowboarding, mentoring, and social justice education for youth from traditionally marginalized backgrounds. We were especially impressed that the organization is both by and for youth.
Washington D.C. Outdoor Non-profit: City Kids Wilderness Project
We’ve been fans of City Kids for years and hope all of you will join us in supporting them. This non-profit specifically works to support under-resource DC youth through after school programs and even summer camp out in Wyoming.
Header photo via Hoods to Woods.
