#WEOUTSIDE was joined by Mardi Fuller a Black hiking/outdoor advocate who has hiked all the peeks in NH. Mardi led our group up Grafton notch and followed our hike with a refreshing dip at the waterfall. This trip allowed youth of color to see representations of black outdoor leaders in the field.
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About the Maine Association for New Americans
Learn more about The Maine Association for New Americans (MANA) from its leaders:
Yvette Unezase, Executive Director, Nyamuon Nguany "Moon", Peer Support Program Coordinator, Abdoulkarim Rwasamirera, Community Wellness Transportation Program Coordinator, Apollo Karara, Board Chair, Francine Ngabu, Board Vice Chair
MANA is an immigrant-led organization that promotes the social & personal empowerment of immigrants and advances racial justice and racial equity in Maine through: Raising awareness of individual and collective trauma among immigrants Providing trauma-aware, multilingual and culturally appropriate transportation services to address social determinants; Connecting immigrants with their peers across cultures and to the resources.
Connecting immigrant youth outdoors
We are exposing youth of color to outdoor spaces where they have been historically absent. This involves making Youth of color feel prepared and knowledgeable around being outdoors. Also the youth that we are working with have trauma from bad experiences with nature (including fleeing wars, genocide). We really want them be connected to Maine's outdoor space as a way of healing through reconnection of nature in a positive and safe way. It is an opportunity to practice wellness and also to heal from their past bad experiences with nature.
