In the small, old age industrial town of Holyoke, MA there lies an
extraordinary secret, the grassroots organization Nuestras Raices. Amidst
the abandoned buildings and vacant lots, this group is an inspiration
and a hope to the community. We traveled to this organization, met their
core staff, and witnessed the fruits of their hard labor.
After waiting around for about ten minutes, we met and introduced
ourselves to Mr. Luis Saez, the Director of Environmental Education.
He explained that the essential mission of Nuestras Raices is: "…a
grassroots organization that promotes economic, human, and community
development through urban agriculture. Their objective is to organize
residents of Holyoke, Massachusetts to achieve greater self-determination,
develop unity and leadership and address issues of food security, environmental
justice, civil rights, nutrition, cultural preservation, and intergenerational
activities."
Nuestras Raices is working on creating and sustaining community urban
gardens and families; the gardens are built on old, vacant lots left
over from factories and residential developments. There are presently
seven large gardens with 99 families operating them; the gardens transform
the urban environment, provide access to low-cost, nutritious food,
and bring friends, neighbors, youth and elders together to improve the
community. Nuestras Raices works also on and has developed youth gardening
programs, environmental educational workshops and field trips, micro-business
development ventures, and a future community agricultural center consisting
of a restaurant, a greenhouse, a library, and a community kitchen.
Although not originally conceived of as an environmental organization,
Mr. Luis Saez said that they do now align themselves with environmental
and environmental justice organizations. They are working hard to restructure
their neighborhoods, take back polluted lots, and bring healthy and
'green' values to all Holyoke residents. It is evident that the organization
is committed to the ideals of environmental justice. Nuestras Raices
is taking root and branching out as an organization, and will surely
grow in the years to come.
Contact Info:
329 Main Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 535-1789
(413) 535-1100 (fax)
www.nuestras-raices.org
