Malden Receives Multiple State Grants To Fund Recreational Programs

MALDEN, MA — Malden has received a grant from Gov. Maura Healey and her administration to fund an outdoor recreation initiative.

The two grants total nearly $30,000 and were issued through the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the state’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.

The first grant, worth $20,000, is slated to fund the city’s Outdoor Recreation as Medicine Program, an outdoor recreation program operated by a local business, First Seed Sown. First Seed Sown was founded by Darren Josey and has the goal of helping other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned businesses through outdoor equity programs. Josey’s company is running Outdoor Recreation as Medicine, which will reportedly feature four four-week outdoor recreation programs of outdoor art, birding, hiking, rock climbing, or paddling for people with mobility issues, an anonymous online mental health outcome assessment, an advertising campaign to support program sign-ups, and a pipeline of potential participants from local community health centers.

“As a Black and Puerto Rican cisgendered man from the greater Boston area, part of my privilege was being brought into this world by two parents who encouraged me to put myself out there even if I didn’t see anyone else who looked like I did,” Josey said in a statement. “This was the courage I needed for sports like rock climbing, snowboarding, surfing, or working in offices and presenting to executive teams where I was the only person of color.”

The other grant, worth $9,850, will fund the third year of The Great Malden Outdoors Community Programs. TGMO’s events this year are a middle school rock climbing program, and outdoor rock climbing community open house, and a birding tour series. According to the state, all three programs will be in locations that are accessible with public transportation. The middle school rock climbing event and birding tours are available for $5, however those dealing with financial struggles will be allowed to attend for free if requested.

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Malden Resident Advocating For Families In Need As A CASA Worker