Worcester Roots Project received a grant in 2009 to support its new youth program "Youth in Charge" in Worcester's Belt Hill and Lower Lincoln neighborhoods. The group will do outreach and education about lead soil contamination and work directly with families in need of lead remediation to test soil and make yards lead safe.
Worcester Roots Project
Our Purpose
to organize in our communities, which face social, economic and environmental injustice; to build empowered, self-sufficient neighborhoods that are safe for living, working and playing through the incubation of co-operatively run and green initiatives; to create a co-operative economy and sustainable systemic change, powered by the leadership and vision of youth and others overcoming marginalization and oppression.
Summary of Projects
Worcester Roots Project received a grant in 2008 for a new brochure and to translate it into four languages commonly spoken in the community.
Worcester Roots received a grant in 2006 for the Toxic Soil Busters program: Environmental Justice through Youth Development. As the youth program entered its second year, teenagers from low-income families in Worcester carried out lead poisoning prevention education, outreach, theater, soil testing and lead-safe landscaping. The Toxic Soil Busters program empowers youth to be environmental activists in their neighborhood, as well as providing important life/work experience and training.
Worcester Roots received a grant in 2004 for its lead soil remediation project in Worcester, to fund a flyer that will be used to educate the community, and for tools and materials for soil remediation. This innovative is based on Boston's successful Lead Safe Yard Program.