As part of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s leadership of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside initiative to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards and inspire millions of young adults to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors, Shawn Blanchard from Mayor Duggan’s Office joined Kristen Sarri, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Scott Landry, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit today to announce the selection of Detroit as one of the first 50 cities to participate in the nationwide movement.
The initiative, funded through a $5 million national commitment by the American Express Foundation, will provide two years of funding for the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit to create a community coordinator position to help coordinate efforts, facilitate collaboration, grow resources, and increase participation in outdoor programs on all public lands – from local parks to federal lands and waters. The funding will also support efforts to engage young adults and veterans to serve on the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps and engage new volunteers during next year’s National Park Service centennial.