FLMYA, named for the first Black Sheriff Deputy in Marin County, seeks to infuse students with Marcus’ vision, dedication, and purpose. Southern Marin Fire District’s Board of Directors last month approved several Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including a FLYMA partnership that kicked off March 30. The event featured an array of Marin’s most prominent leaders, including Marin County District 3 Supervisor Stephanie Moulton Peters, Marin County District Attorney Lori Frugoli, Marin County Assistant District Attorney Otis Bruce, Play Marin Founder Paul Austin, 10,000 Degree Program Manager Rondell Gibson, Sausalito Marin City School District School Board President Ida Green, MC Arts & Culture’s Oshalla Diana Marcus, SMFD Battalion Chief Jason Golden, Tam Union High School District Wellness Outreach Specialist Amber Pierson and many more.
“The first meeting was a success, with a tremendous amount of energy focused on creating a positive environment for the youth of Marin City,” Golden, noting that SMFD’s role in the program will be to help educate the students on how local government works and specifically how the fire department works within the community. SMFD personnel will provide a positive mentorship, with the ultimate goal of the program to establish a solid base for the youth of Marin City to use for future success in life.
SMFD will teach a one-and-a-half-hour session to the program participants every other week for 10 weeks. The youth involved in the program will be enrolled in the program as early as 3rd grade and will continue on through their high school years. Currently, there are 12 individuals who have expressed interest in participating in the program.
The partnership will also include Mill Valley Emergency Preparedness Commissioners bringing Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training Marin City high teenagers.
Interested in supporting this program? The Marin County Cooperation Team is organizing a fundraiser for FLMYA: “Any donation amount is greatly appreciated and is an investment in our next generation of civic minded young leaders!”