Meet Jocelyn Whitson, Member of the Board of Collective Roots

I've been working in East Palo Alto since 2002, when I began tutoring and mentoring at the East Palo Alto Charter School. I was always struck by the difference between Palo Alto and East Palo Alto, particularly the relatively small amount of green space and "healthy infrastructure" in East Palo Alto - missing essentials like produce markets and walkable neighborhoods. I learned that it's a place with a history of environmental contamination and social injustices, but also a place with a strong history of small family farms, community collaboration, and activism.

 In 2007, I began working full-time as a Pediatric RN at the Ravenswood Family Health Center in East Palo Alto. Through working at the Health Center, I was able to get a better understanding of the challenges facing families living there. I felt compelled to act in a broader environmental and community-level way to support the lifestyle changes (healthy eating and physical activity) that I was trying to promote with patients. I returned to school to pursue a graduate degree in Public Health for this purpose.

In my own life, I grew up gardening with my family. Some of my favorite summer days involved hard work in the yard accompanied by mouthfuls of just-picked blackberries, peaches, blueberries, green beans, and fresh corn. I believe that I am a healthier person because of this. I am passionate about Collective Roots because I believe that such wonder and connectedness to the earth should be accessible for all young people. 

There are many ways that you can join our efforts and support the work of Collective Roots. We welcome your involvement as a volunteer. Please review our many volunteer opportunities by clicking here.