Asha Shoffner has worked for the City for two years as the YJ01 Program Manager for Right Track. Right Track serves Saint Paul youth who come from a low income household or have a barrier to employment (such as chemical dependency, limited English proficiency, or a disability) by placing them in jobs or paid internships throughout the City. She manages around 200 youth during the school year; nearly 450 during the summer.
Asha tries to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. When I called to schedule the interview, she suggested making it a walking interview. She explained her job involves a lot of desk time, so whenever possible she will set up mobile meetings with colleagues.
Asha has been instrumental in getting fellow employees together in being healthy. She has coordinated several ‘Fitbit’ or ‘step’ challenges with co-workers to help build a sense of community and friendly competition. She put together a ‘Build a Salad’ event for the colleagues on her floor as well as for a racial equity change team meeting. As the weather warms, she will be reaching out to co-workers to join her in biking to work. Asha is always looking for colleagues who work out at the YMCA.
While Asha loves the outdoors and being active in nature, she knows that spending time outdoors is not always accessible for everyone. This motivated her to start a grassroots movement called Fiwygin Outdoors (which is pronounced “Fusion Outdoors”).
Fiwygin is an acronym that stands for Fit In Where You Get In, and her role as the founder is to make sure that everyone can “get in.” Fiwygin Outdoors strives to eliminate any barriers that folks have to getting outside by making it fun, accessible, sustainable, and welcoming to all people – with an extra shout out to underrepresented groups (including but not limited to people of color, Indigenous people, LGBTQ people, and people with limited income/resources/experience/mobility). Fiwygin Outdoors operates year round and hosts monthly events like hiking, fishing, canoeing, kite flying and more. Events are free and intentionally designed with non-ableist language and multiple access points, ensuring that all can truly fit in and get in.
To learn more about Fiwygin Outdoors, check out www.facebook.com/groups/fiwyginoutdoors. To join Asha on a bike ride, a visit to the Y, a meander through downtown, or anything else active, feel free to reach out to her! She loves connecting with new people and being active.