Youth Development

This key component of Collective Roots' work engages young people in critical thinking about their school and community environments and their role in the development of these environments.

A focus of this work is to empower youth to work with adults as proactive leaders in their communities, focusing on food system change. this is built upon a general development of communication, research, and advocacy skills through participation in community based action research. We train youth to participate in advocacy and efforts impacting their community and environment, involving youth in decision making, policy formation, and systemic change.

Current goals in this program area include:

• Increasing opportunities for community engagement & service learning, including action research (food system mapping project) and environmental restoration projects (Baylands, Cooley’s Landing, Urban Forestry, etc.).
• Involving youth in MONTHLY community workdays.
• Inviting youth in the community to participate in an annual GREEN Week (Gardening, Recycling, Environmental Education, and Nutrition), including a GREEN fiesta, which increases student and community access to healthy foods and education. This week long event will include a GARDEN SMARTS event, a day long garden based science fair.
• Participation in the development and management of the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market as social entrepreneurs, community activists, and youth educators.
• Creating a youth representative position on Board of Directors of Collective Roots.
• Development of Summer Garden Science Camp / Youth Summer Employment program.