About Us
At Outside the City, adventure is our approach—and transformation is our goal. Through your support, we give formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women the opportunity to rewrite their stories—one life-changing experience at a time.
Our outdoor programs immerse participants in challenges that push limits, build confidence, and ignite a renewed sense of purpose. These aren’t just outings—they’re breakthroughs. For many, it’s their first time hiking rugged trails, kayaking on open waters, navigating overland 4x4 terrain, or sleeping under a star-filled sky far from the city lights. Each experience opens new perspectives, fosters resilience, and shows them what they are truly capable of.
Beyond adventure, we provide mentorship, guidance, and support, helping participants translate the courage and skills they gain outdoors into lasting change in their daily lives. They return home with more than memories—they return with hope, determination, and a vision for a better future.
With your help, these adventures become turning points. Your support opens doors, restores hope, and empowers individuals to embrace a brighter path. Together, we can transform lives—one journey at a time.
Our outings do more than challenge—they transform. Participants build mental toughness, confidence, and a growth mindset, while learning stress management, leadership, and teamwork. They gain practical outdoor skills like navigation, endurance, and survival techniques, and explore new environments that expand their horizons.
Most importantly, they gain access to the outdoors and life-changing experiences, opening doors to possibilities they may never have imagined. With your support, these adventures become journeys that inspire growth, purpose, and a brighter future.
Gang involvement in the U.S.
- Gang involvement is a widespread issue in the U.S., with over 21,500 gangs and 731,000 members.
- Gangs often recruit vulnerable youth—typically ages 12 to 24—by offering a false sense of belonging and opportunity, especially where family support or positive role models are lacking.
- Many join as early as age 15, leading to cycles of trauma, incarceration, and limited future prospects.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Why recreation?
Recreation and travel aren't just about escape—they’re about healing, discovery, and reintegration. For many, especially those who have faced incarceration, these moments represent far more than just a break from the routine. They are what we call "Life Resume Experiences"—milestones that help redefine identity, build confidence, and reconnect with the world in positive, transformative ways.
For at-risk and formerly gang-involved men and women, these experiences can serve as powerful reminders that life holds so much purpose, beauty, and adventure. They foster personal growth, emotional healing, and social connection—all vital to successful reentry.
Whether it's standing at the edge of a canyon, kayaking a still bay at sunrise, or sharing stories around a fire in a desert camp, each moment builds not only a memory but a sense of self-worth and direction. These experiences become part of a new personal narrative—an expanded life resume that goes beyond what’s written on paper.
To honor and amplify these journeys, we’re capturing the adventure through photography, video, and drone footage—bringing these stories to life and sharing the beauty, resilience, and transformation that unfold in every outing. These visuals not only inspire others but also document the experience, and celebrate milestones.
We invite corporate partners to be part of this journey. By sponsoring these transformative outings, your organization becomes a catalyst for change—directly impacting lives while demonstrating a commitment to second chances, equity, and community restoration. Together, we can build a bridge between the outdoors and opportunity, between incarceration and reintegration, between despair and hope.
Join us in creating lasting impact—one Life Resume Experience at a time.
