Not only Back-Support: We support Outdoor Outreach!

Since 1999, Outdoor Outreach has helped connect more than 10,500 youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. They use the outdoors to address critical community needs, like high youth unemployment, school-day attendance and graduation rates, and mental and physical health. Each year, Outdoor Outreach provides over 500 opportunities for young people to surf, climb, paddle and more, engaging them in activities that promote a strong sense of self, belonging and resiliency. 

Miriam's Story:

Miriam grew up in India as a refugee from religious persecution, with the fear of not knowing what’s next. She and her sisters knew that a girl’s place was in the home, and that they couldn’t play with the boys. They couldn’t even play on the same side of the field.

Coming to the US, Miriam found herself without a support system. Through Outdoor Outreach, Miriam, like so many other teens, found people that believed in her. And that gave her the confidence to do the things she wanted to do, and not be afraid of how she was going to look. Every Outdoor Outreach trip became an incentive to do well in school.

Miriam joined Outdoor Outreach’s Leadership Program in 2016. Today, Miriam is a leader who shows other girls what’s possible through her actions as well as her words: This summer, she got a scholarship to do a month-long National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course in Alaska. And this fall, she starts classes at Cal State Channel Islands. Says Miriam:

“I love that we, the Leadership participants, all have different stories, different struggles, but all share this great passion for the outdoors... If I stumble, I know there is an entire support system to catch me. And that gives me an incredible freedom. "

This summer, 10 amazing young adults like Miriam joined Outdoor Outreach’s Leadership Program. One inspiring young woman, Cassandra, wrote in her application that she saw the Leadership Program as a chance to break the mold. With STRONGBACK's support, we can help her and so many other teens do just that.

Find out more about the organization on http://www.outdooroutreach.org/