 |
|
 Rooted In Community (RIC)
is a national grassroots network that empowers young people to take leadership in their own communities. |
|
|
|
|
|
About RIC
About RIC |
RIC Mission |
RIC Programs |
RIC History |
Contact RIC
RIC Programs and Activities
Movement Building
To build a movement, people have to form communities through which they can exchange information, support, and inspiration. RIC provides the infrastructure for our national network of local programs through training, technical assistance and support services for the local groups.
RIC Indigenous Youth Leadership Program
The RAC recognizes the value of developing youth leaders for building community food security in their home communities, especially because the majority of RIC youth participants are low-income youth of color. RIC youth come from urban and rural communities in desperate need for new leaders with vision and skill sets that build local community self-reliance. The Rooted in Community Advisory Committee created the RIC Indigenous Youth Leadership Development Program in respond to this need.
RIC Youth Entrepreneurship Program
RIC youth live in communities that suffer from lack of access to affordable, nutritious culturally appropriate food. These communities also suffer from lack of ownership of the businesses that could bring fresh, affordable food into the community. RIC member organizations have great strength in the area of urban entrepreneurial agriculture. With this capacity the RIC can train and mentor youth from participating organizations for food business development in their own communities.
Communication Tools
RIC is developing web-based communications tools including an electronic newsletter, blog site and other channels for communication among RIC participants.
Capacity Building & Technical Assistance
At the annual meeting RIC facilitates workshops to foster knowledge on topics such as food justice, food security, sustainable production, genetically modified food and other food systems issues. In addition the workshops build group facilitation, media, public speaking, policy advocacy, and outreach skills. Workshop presenters generally hail from the youth and adult organizations participating in the network. This further builds confidence and capacity.
Building Public Awareness of Youth as Community Builders & Change Agents
Workshops at the annual meetings prepare youth to carry out public relations campaigns and to meet with local, state and federal representatives and policy makers. With this strategy the RIC network provides support for youth organizations to become active in public education and policy advocacy.
Constituency and Community
The direct beneficiaries of the RIC Network are the youth and community-based groups who participate in the Network. A majority of these groups hail from impoverished urban or rural communities of color throughout the United States. The majority of youth participating in RIC conferences over the past six years have been youth of color and these youth have played leadership roles in planning the conference and presenting at workshops.
Governance and Management
The 2007 Advisory Committee includes the following members: Erika Allen, Geralina Fortier, Hank Herrera, Ian Marvy, Jackson Sillars, Jenifer Smith, Jennifer Eckert, Kim Gaffi, Kirsten Walter, Lydia Villanueva, Malaika Edwards, and Sylvia Blain. The group represents urban and rural groups of youth and adults working together throughout the United States. The Youth Conference Planning Committee includes a majority of youth members and adult mentors.
The Center for Popular Research, Education and Policy provides day-to-day management services for the Rooted in Community Network. The organizational offices of RIC are located at 693 East Avenue, Suite 101, Rochester, New York. Hank Herrera serves as Project Director supported by a volunteer administrator.
The Earth Island Institute serves as fiscal sponsor for the Rooted in Community Network.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
