Social & Environmental Justice

Planting Seeds of Change

Roots2Empower uses direct service, education, public policy, and community engagement to confront social injustice and advance equity in southern New England. 

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We Believe

As society transforms to address the intersecting climate, health, and economic crises, marginalized people must be at the table, shaping the solutions.

By centering community-driven strategies that provide direct support for youth, individuals, and families facing systemic barriers and marginalization, our advocacy can create a more just and equitable society for all.

Our Mission


Roots' mission is to enable economic empowerment for low-income, justice-impacted, and marginalized people in southern New England through civic engagement, workforce training, environmental connection, and public education.

Our Vision

Our vision is a thriving Southern New England powered by a regenerative economy in which community members meaningfully participate in the decision-making that impacts their lives.

We envision a region where all families have access to the healing power of nature, sustainable energy, dignified housing, and nutritious food without the systemic barriers of racism, poverty, and mass incarceration.

“There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.”

-Audre Lorde

Receive updates on our next community meeting

We host community conversations to share information about climate change and clean energy in Rhode Island, hear from community members about the impacts and barriers they’re facing, and envision solutions. 

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Learn how to become an entrepreneur

Roots2Empower offers free and low-cost entrepreneurship training in RI to folks who identify as justice-impacted, low-income, or marginalized.

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How we make a difference

Program Areas

Entrepreneurship Training

We offer a 10-week training program to help startup owners achieve their business goals.

Topics covered include: how to build and present a business plan; founding and entrepreneurial finance; marketing strategies; management; distribution; and technology.


Roots Youth Program

We offer STEM education and career mentorship for youth in low-income communities.

Our programs include an 18-week Youth Agricultural Science and Entrepreneurship program, a 5-week clean energy program, herbalism workshops, and hands-on learning in our community garden.

Mentorship

We support entrepreneurs by connecting them with the information, resources, and networks they need, including partners, customers, and investors.

Mentors provide feedback, reassurance, and motivation to help entrepreneurs solve problems and navigate the challenges of starting a business.

Agriculture Science & Food Production

We help marginalized folks start businesses in the green industries by providing education on Food Safety (on-farm, facility, and FSMA); Supply and Value Chain Integration; Food Science; product development and processing; natural resources and land management; and agricultural production and processing.

Clean Energy

We work to make careers in the clean energy sector more accessible to low-income and justice-impacted folks through advocacy, mentorship, information sharing, and our community training partners.

We also facilitate dialogues to uplift community voices and inform the clean energy transition.

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is foundational to economic empowerment, personal agency, and building wealth. We teach personal financial literacy that covers how a checking account works, what using a credit card really means, how to avoid debt, credit scores and more. We also train entrepreneurs in financial management for their business.

Learn with Us

Phone:

  • +1 617-858-5069
Contact Us

Mailing Address:

  • 166 Valley Street
    Building 6M, Suite 103
    Providence, RI 02909​

Garden Site:

  • Sherman Street
    Pawtucket, RI 02860

Email:

  • contact@roots2empower.info
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