Spring Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Here at Elevate Youth, we are committed to creating inclusivity in outdoor spaces for our young people and all people of color. Now, more than ever, we must stand up and speak out against systemic racism.
To our EY community of color, our young people, and their families, we say this: We see you. We value you. You are not alone. We love you. We stand with you.
To our Elevate Youth community, we ask you: Join us, let’s elevate the conversation. Do not be silent.
Instead, practice empathy and commit to doing more. Join us in our work to fight injustice and ensure that all spaces, including outdoor spaces, are safe for people of color.
To those who don’t know what to do to affect change: Everyone’s voice matters, challenge yourself to be vulnerable in the discussion, and educate yourself.
Sincerely,
Alec Griswold
Executive Director
How we’re supporting our community this month
We received excellent feedback from our first round of Nature Kits from our partner organizations. These kits were dropped off at the homes of over 250 youth in our community.
A huge thank you to everyone who engaged in #GivingTuesdayNow and allowed us to surpass our goal and raise over $6,500 for this initiative!
An update on summer programming
Safety is our #1 Priority
At Elevate Youth, safety has always been a top priority. With COVID-19 posing an ongoing public health risk, we are committed to following CDC recommendations to ensure the safety of all our youth and adults.
Our programs have never been so important.
The COVID Era has been increasingly difficult on youth, many of whom are socially isolated, spending more time on screens, and lacking the structured play time that is necessary for their development. We at Elevate Youth are exploring the potential to deliver outdoor programming this summer, in accordance with State regulations, to give our youth the outlet they desperately need.
• Groups of less than 10 people, wearing masks and remaining socially distanced.
• In local parks and green spaces that are closest to our communities.
• Trips will be focused on activities and lessons that can be done close-to-home, and are most relevant to our youth's interest.
We are thrilled to get outside and explore nature close to home!
Elevate Youth receives $10,000 from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund to assist with Outdoor Programs for Underserved Youth in Boston. Read more here.
Check out this Blog Post about the Christian Cooper story. These troubling conflicts highlight the importance of Elevate Youth's broader mission to create open and inclusive outdoor spaces.