#NonprofitNovember is highlighting Creative Collective’s nonprofit Business Members in a series of featured interviews. These short features will grant some insight into how these nonprofits have grown and developed through the years and how they plan to use what they’ve learned to further their respective missions in 2022.
This Holiday season, follow the hashtag #NonprofitNovember to learn more about the nonprofit organizations in the communities, and discover how to support their ongoing efforts in a meaningful way.
Interviewees: Sara D’Alessandro, Director of Programs and Mike May, Assistant Director of Programs, Eboni Williams, Culinary Assistant (and Root Alumna!)
What’s something you are proud of / something you achieved this year as an organization?
The evolution of Root’s Community Catering, from an initial emergency response to COVID to full-fledged enterprise arm of our organization. Root’s Community Meals are a “win-win-win” – creating jobs for young adults, sourcing healthy produce from local farm partners, and providing nutritious meals to those facing food insecurity on the North Shore. We are proud of the success of our initial crockpot meal kit pilot program with Acord Pantry and Three Sisters Farm, too! And we continually strive to improve our training program to better serve our youth, who are the core of our organization.
Tell us a time that you saw your vision in action?
Root’s unique high-touch model provides both job training AND transitional employment opportunities for young people facing barriers to success. Since 2017, we’ve graduated over 130 students, providing them with culinary training AND critical workforce skills including resume building, interview preparation, job search skills and more. Through our retail and community catering we’ve employed 25 young adults, providing above-minimum wage jobs with additional mentorship skill building opportunities.
What’s something you would like your followers to know about your organization that they may not already know? Or, what is something that is unique about your organization?
This summer, we were incredibly proud to see one of our graduates, Dylan, who works at Bambolina as a line cook, serve as an externship mentor for a current Trainee!
Who is your organization for?
Root’s Youth Job Training Program serves youth in Essex County, ages 16-26, facing barriers to success. Preference is provided to young people who self-identify as experiencing poverty, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, court-involvement, housing instability, or lack of at-home support.
Where can people find out more about your organization and support its ongoing efforts?
Visit our website: www.Rootns.org – follow us on Facebook and Instagram @Rootnorthshore – or give us a call! 978 616 7615
Creative Collective’s 2021 #StayLocal Campaign
Initiative encourages community to shop small and support local small businesses this November and December
The approaching Holiday season is putting people in the shopping, eating, and drinking mood as small businesses across the North Shore are gearing up for the busiest time of the year. Following up the successful 2020 #StayLocal campaign, Creative Collective is launching #StayLocal2021, encouraging individuals to shop and support small this upcoming holiday season. Learn more.
