March eNews: Spring Into Celebration
Dear Friends,
Amid the swirl of uneasy and tragic headlines in Ukraine, and the hardship experienced by so many families over the past few weeks, we are grateful to be part of a loving community that fuels our desire to lift up the voices of our youth and resident leaders. In addition to hosting all outdoor programming again in person, we are excited to share the following spring updates with you and celebrate those who make them possible.
For starters, we’re honored to join other impactful organizations and agencies across the state who are advancing access and equity for young people in the outdoors as recipients of both a Youth Community Access grant, through the California Natural Resources Agency, and a Whale Tail grant, through the California Coastal Commission. These awards will significantly increase YES’s capacity to offer opportunities for Richmond youth to excel as stewards of our natural environment and gain a rightful sense of belonging in the outdoors. I’m excited for you to learn more about one YES staff member who has been instrumental in these major achievements, and who you’ll be hearing much more from in the coming weeks.
Outside of our office, YES staff, board members, youth, and families continue to impress us with their insight and communal impact. Just last week, we celebrated the graduation of our fourth cohort of Adult Leaders and Fellows and already, they’re proving to be a force of positive change in our community. Following in their example, YES’s Youth Engagement Team (YET) unveiled the result of nearly three years of hard work and advocacy, culminating in the beautification of a corner of our beloved Nicholl Park. Check out the articles below to learn more about YET’s project, as well as the remarkable influence and achievements of one YES board member.
Amidst the growth and excitement, we’re finding familiarity in an upcoming camp season that looks much like those of the pre-pandemic era. With an abundance of caution, planning, and input from our community, we’ve officially opened registration for 2022 Summer Camp–and after our recent weekend of Winter Camp, it’s clear that time together outdoors is just what our youth need.
I think we could all benefit from more time spent together, in fact, which is why I’m excited to officially announce YES’s upcoming new event–read on for more details. I hope to see you there.
Eric Aaholm, Executive Director
YES in the News
YES Community Highlight: Devika Saxena
Nearly 20 years after getting her start in nonprofits, Devika found her home as Development Director at YES in January 2021… and we couldn’t be happier she did.
Devika discovered a passion for youth development and leadership upon reflecting on her own experience in school and college. “I wasn’t seeing any students of color leading committees or clubs that weren’t centered around ethnic identity… In college, especially, the committees like Housing and Budget and Finance that had the most influence were all white,” she remembers. Thinking about herself and other students of color, Devika wondered “why didn’t we feel like we could belong in those spaces?” With this realization, Devika set out to amplify the voices of youth who, like herself, struggled to feel heard.
After a successful stint in the education sector, with organizations like Teach for America and KIPP Austin Public Schools, Devika brought her fundraising skills to YES, where she continues to champion opportunities for youth confidence and inclusion. “At YES,” she says, “I’ve seen youth lead and use their voice and feel like they belong in a space, and that’s really powerful.” Devika helps make these moments possible through her skillful management of the organization’s fundraising and communications strategy.
“The Richmond community is strong and joyful. It inspires me and gives me so much energy.”
Devika has worked closely with the YES team to drive significant growth of YES’s institutional and government funding. But the biggest change she’s leading is just around the corner: a new, community-based fundraising event that will replace Rock in the Redwoods (RNR). “We really hope to merge all the things we loved about RNR with a couple of new elements,” she says about the event, Down by the Bay, “to bring the same sense of comradery and fun, but with an eye to make it more accessible to our community.” Down by the Bay will be a concert, still featuring the much-loved Little Marvin and the Gardeners, plus an additional act and a new venue with a relaxed feel and stunning sunset views.
Devika and the team have been hard at work on the event, and we’re sure you won’t want to miss it–mark your calendar now! And for our loyal Rock in the Redwoods fans, don't worry! There will still be plenty of paella.
Saturday May 21st, 2022 | Point San Pablo Harbor
Tickets on sale in early April
If you're interested in volunteering, sign up here!
Winter Camp
After a two-year hiatus, YES staff, volunteers, and youth were finally able to get back to Winter Camp last month! And we couldn’t have asked for a better host than the beautiful Point Bonita YMCA in the Marin Headlands.
The cold wind and marine layer that are typical of our Northern California beaches made a quiet retreat to welcome in warm sunshine and spectacular views for YES’s 2022 Winter Camp. Nearly 50 youth joined us for the two-day teaser of the spring and summer camping season they have to look forward to this year, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced modified and reduced camp experiences for the past two years. Despite not being an overnight camp, youth and chaperones alike sunk right back into the familiar joy of drumming circles, wave chasing, and outdoor education.
"This is the most funnest time I've ever had in years!"
Teens from YES’s Coastal Conservancy Cohort (C3), stepped into leadership roles on the second day of camp by leading an informed watershed activity, passing their knowledge and passion onto the next generation of campers who excitedly scribbled the flow of their local tributaries. If the exercise was any indication of the activities to come at Camp Days and Family Camps, our C3 teens are more than ready to inspire and lead our young camp-goers’ nature schooling.
By the end of our coastal camp weekend, one thing was clear: Summer Camp can’t come soon enough.
Parks We Love: Briones Regional Park
Nothing brings out the life and beauty of the East Bay hillsides like a few good rainy days followed by sunshine–and Briones Regional Park is the perfect example of this.
Sprawling over 6,000 acres of land in central Contra Costa County, Briones’ rolling green hills are an idyllic getaway for all levels of adventure. YES’s Richmond Rangers favor the overnight backpacking variety, trekking through many miles of the park’s well-kept trails, but Briones is just as good for a scenic morning hike or a leisurely stroll with your furry friends.
However you chose to enjoy Briones, you're sure to see much of our East Bay wildlife, like deer, cattle, red-tailed hawks, and more. Get the most out of your visit by getting to Briones in the springtime, when the hills are bright green and the park’s water-loving habitants, like newts and wildflowers, are most active.
