Camping to Connect Embarks on a New Adventure with Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Outdoor Equity Grant

Camping to Connect participants playing at a pond during one of their camping trips

Camping to Connect participants playing at a pond during a camping weekend

We at Young Masterminds Initiative are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey towards inclusivity and empowerment in the great outdoors. We are the proud recipients of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Equity Grant, a testament to our unwavering commitment to making nature's wonders accessible to all through our Camping to Connect outdoor mentorship program.

This grant, funded through Colorado Lottery money, is part of a concerted effort to bridge the gap in nature access. It acknowledges that experiencing Colorado's stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems is a fundamental human right, yet one that remains elusive for many. Through this grant, the Outdoor Equity Grant Program supports organizations like ours in breaking down breaking down barriers and providing outdoor education and recreation experiences to underserved youth and their families.

Since our inception, we have been dedicated to cultivating leadership and positive self-awareness in young men of color. Our programs, rooted deeply in peer learning, outdoor education, and mentorship, have been transforming lives and opening new pathways for our youth to connect with the environment and each other.

With the support of the Outdoor Equity Grant, we are set to expand our reach and impact. Our planned activities are not just about enjoying the scenic beauty of Colorado’s outdoors; they are about instilling values of environmental stewardship, leadership, and community engagement. We believe in the transformative power of the outdoors and its ability to heal, inspire, and educate.

Looking ahead, we are excited to utilize these funds to enrich our programs and touch more lives. Our vision is to create a world where young men of color can confidently lead and redefine what's possible, while embracing their identity and advocating for justice, inclusion, and accountability in their communities.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Outdoor Equity Grant Program Board for believing in our mission. We are eager to embark on this new chapter and look forward to sharing our journey with you.

Stay tuned for updates on our growth and the positive impact we will continue to make in the lives of young men of color.

Together, let's make #CoOutdoorsForAll a reality!

Manny Almonte

Manny Almonte is on a mission to connect and empower men of color. Manny is the founder of the Mastermind Connect men’s collective and the Young Masterminds Initiative nonprofit organization. Through these organizations, Manny creates unique experiences that empower men of color to realize deep connections with their passions, higher selves, and community. Most notably, Manny produced the award-winning, thought-provoking short film Wood Hood, which advocates for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the outdoors through Camping to Connect, his celebrated BIPOC-led youth program. Manny is also Principal of MA Reloaded, LLC, a boutique web design firm. A Brooklynite by way of the Dominican Republic, Manny is living a life of purpose with his family and dogs in Denver, CO.

https://mareloaded.com
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