Nuestras Raices Inc General Information 329 Main Street Holyoke, MA 14 (413) 5351789 7 Website www.nuestras-raices.org Organization Contact hcolon@nuestras-raices.org Year of Incorporation 1992 1
Statements & Search Criteria Mission Statement Nuestras Raices (Our Roots), Inc. is a non-profit grassroots organization that promotes economic human and community development in Holyoke through urban agriculture. Nuestras Raices draws its membership and leadership from the hundred and fifty low-income families and individuals that participate in its network of community gardens, businesses and coalitions. The organization was incorporated in 1993 in order to manage the LaFinquita community garden and to develop a greenhouse in downtown Holyoke. Nuestras Raices involves community members in all stages of planning, implementation and evaluation of its projects. The majority members of the board of directors of Nuestras Raices are current or former participants in the projects of the organization. All Nuestras Raices staff members are bilingual and the majority reside in the area affected by the organization's projects. Background Statement Founded in 1992 by the members of La Finquita community garden, Nuestras Raíces has grown into a 51(c) 3 organization with programs serving the broader community. With over 19 years of community experience and expansion into new opportunities, Nuestras Raíces has grown into a well established farmer training, community development, environmental and cultural organization, responding to the needs and ideas of the low-income, primarily Latino community members of innercity Holyoke, Massachusetts. Our current projects include:community Gardens: 9 community gardens and 2 youth gardens with 12 families and 9 youth participants;nuestras Raíces Farm/La Finca: 3-acre urban farm offering beginning farmer training, managing 3 farmers markets and farm store, Paso Fino horse barn, Lechonera Puerto Rican Barbeque, and cultural activities including music, dance, and harvest festivals;youth Organizing and Leadership: 15 teens manage their own gardens, produce educational videos, teach gardening and school food improvement in school programs, engage in environmental conservation and community health organizing;environmental Justice and Community Organizing: Adults and youth research and educate community about environmental problems disproportionately affecting the low-income Latino residents, and design action programs and solutions to improve the environment and community health;enterprise and Cultural Development: Develop new agricultural, food, energy efficiency, and cultural enterprises & green jobs training by and for low-income community members. Nuestras Raíces provides technical assistance, access to loans, markets, and unique incubator facilities. Nuestras Raíces has helped launch over 25 new farms and businesses in Holyoke, including Energía, a new triple bottom line green energy services company with federal (HHS) community development grant support. Impact Statement Expanded Nuestras Raices farmers access to Farmers' Markets, added a new market at Donahue School. Offered new beginning farmers training courses for local residents. Established new children and youth community garden in the Flats neighborhood. Started new youth leadership program on healthy school foods and food sovereignty, and launched Siembra Siempre, a beginning farmers training program for young adults. Transitioned one youth from Siembra Siempre to adult beginning farmer's training program. Selected as one of EPA CARE "Champions of Change" for work on environmental health education. Underwent significant board and staff development as well as strategic planning continuing into 213. Launched "triple bottom line" energy services company, Energia. Hire local youth as crew members. 2
Needs Statement Unrestricted general operating funds Creative income generation and alternatives to grants for financial sustainability Funding for expansion and support and maintenance of community gardens Funding for facility/space expansion and upgrade Web-based program and outcomes management software for data tracking CEO/Executive Director Statement Nuestras Raices is unique because it responds to needs of the low-income community of Holyoke, primarily Latino, participants in our network of community gardens, leadership groups, youth development, small business and farmer training programs. Nuestras Raices Farm provides our residents business opportunities, marketing assistance, and access to land. Urban agriculture has proven to be an effective way to promote community development, and a connection to their culture while putting down roots in their new home. Participants are proud to have the opportunity to use their experience to improve their community and to teach to a younger generation. Nuestras Raices has been recognized as one of the most effective organizations in the country with national grants from the Ford Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, US Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Environmental Protection Agency. Board Chair Statement One of the biggest challenges as a small non-profit organization is finding operational funds. Nuestras Raices is addressing this issue by finding potential business owner to rent our business at the farm, community kitchen, farm store, Paso Fino horse barn and restaurant spaces to generate operational funding for the organization. Due to the hurricane Irene most of our farmers lost 9% of their crops this past year. They didn t have crop insurance and we reached out from FEMA, NEMA and other pertinent agencies and didn t qualify for funding. We started a major campaign through, internet, radio, local events and were able to raise close to $1, to help our farmers. Among our success we were able toexpand Nuestras Raices farmers access to Farmers' Markets, added a new market at Donahue School, established new children and youth community garden, started new youth leadership program on healthy school foods and food sovereignty, and launched Siembra Siempre, a beginning farmers training program for young adults, selected as one of EPA CARE "Champions of Change" for work on environmental health education, hired new Executive Director and recruited seven new board members from our local community. Service Categories Community & Neighbourhood Development Alliances & Advocacy Alliances & Advocacy Geographic Areas Served Nuestras Raices serves primarily the low-income, predominantly Puerto Rican and Latino residents of Holyoke, Massachusetts, a small city with a population of 39,. Holyoke's strong textile and paper-based industrial economy provided employment for waves and generations of immigrants. The dam and the canals remain, but the economy, population and its labor force is 3
vastly different. Please review online profile for full list of selected areas served. 4
Programs Description Community Gardens: We currently manage 1 community gardens with 125 families participating and we work with the residents of Holyoke to develop new gardens every year. The gardens change the urban environment, provide access to lowcost, nutritious food and brings friends, neighbors, youth and elders together to improve the community. Children's Gardening Plots: Groups of children plant and maintain flowers, vegetables and herbs in plots within each of the community gardens and in two youth gardens. The children are taught by the elderly community gardeners, who are proud to pass on their knowledge about planting and the culture of rural Puerto Rico. Series of Educational Workshops and Field Trips: Workshops are generally in subject areas of Health and Organic Gardening practices, and field trip destinations have ranged from the New York Botanical Gardens to local farms. Farmers' Market: The community gardeners sell surplus vegetables at a stand at the Holyoke Farmers' Market (WIC coupons accepted) managed by teenagers. Beginning Farms - Nuestras Raices is helping 8-12 community members with agricultural experience start up farms on 3 acres of fertile riverfront land, Nuestras Raices provides training, TA, access to shared equipment and marketing opportunities. Environmental Justice: Young people work to identify and address the environmental problems of inner-city Holyoke, Nuestras Raices has started up a community coalition. Centro Agr'cola Community agricultural center: This project has transformed a small building and vacant lot in downtown Holyoke to create a vibrant site for small business development and community education. Cultural Festivals and Activities: A series of music, arts and cultural activities Budget Category Population Served,, Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Expanded network of community gardens to 1 gardens, 99 families and 11 youth. Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success 5
Environmental Justice Program Description Nuestras Raíces works with a diverse group of partners to address the environmental justice concerns facing our community. These issues include indoor and outdoor air quality and asthma, land use and garbage, and water quality and fishing in the Connecticut River. To help address these issues, we received a Level II EPA CARE grant in 29, and we are currently working on the following action plans: Outdoor Air Quality, Asthma & Community Health: Reducing diesel emissions through local and state-wide ordinances Improving air quality and reducing mercury emissions through greening the Mt. Tom coal plant Climate justice and reducing our carbon footprint 35 Actions for Holyoke Indoor Air Quality & Healthy Homes: Healthy Homes Promotoras Trainings Reducing Risks of Toxic Exposure and Using Greener Cleaning Products Safer Home Pesticide Use Reducing Mold & Moisture Land Use, Brownfields & Garbage: Viva Verde! Recycling Project in Multi-family Residences Brownfield Assessments and Reutilization Expanding Community Gardens & Healthy Urban Green Spaces Water Quality, Health & Safe Fishing in the Connecticut River: Safe fishing educational campaign bilingual fish advisories for pregnant women and children River access & ecology of Connecticut River Safe oil and waste disposal Budget Category Population Served 1/yr Environment, General/Other Hispanic, Latino Heritage, At-Risk Populations, Children and Youth ( - 19 years) Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Reduce environmental health risks related to air and water quality in environmental justice communities in Holyoke, MA. Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success 6
La Finca/Farm Program Description Budget Category Population Served Nuestras Raices Farm/La Finca is located on 3 acres alongside the Connecticut River. La Finca offers beginning farmers' trainings, helps immigrants and refugees begin commercial farms, offering technical assistance, shared equipment, innovative market opportunities and micro-loans, a youth farm, a farm store, a Paso Fino horse barn, a children's Petting Zoo, and annual cultural festivals such as the Festival de la Cosecha (Harvest Festival). 25/yr Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, General/Other General/Unspecified, Hispanic, Latino Heritage, Immigrant, Newcomers, Refugees Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success Youth Programs and Policy Description Budget Category Population Served Nuestras Raices youth program offers leadership training programs focusing on gardening and agriculture, healthy school food, and environmental sustainability. 2/yr Youth Development, General/Other Adolescents Only (13-19 years), Hispanic, Latino Heritage, Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success 7
Management CEO/Executive Director Executive Director Ms Hilda Colon Term Start July 211 Email hcolon@nuestras-raices.org Experience Hilda Colon has worked for Nuestras Raices since 21. During her time at Nuestras Raices, she has become an expert at outreach, event organizing, training delivery, administration and project development. She oversees all aspects of the organization including finacial management, staff and programs evaluation. Former CEOs Name Term Mr. Marco Maina Jan 211 - June Mr. Daniel Ross Jan 1995 - May Senior Staff Mr. Diego Angarita Title Experience/Biography Director of Youth Programs and Policy Diego Angarita holds a Bachelors of Arts from Hampshire College where he concentrated in Latin American Studies, Nutrition and Media Studies. He sits on the advisory board for the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Massachusetts Food Policy Alliance, the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council, and the board of the Holyoke Land Trust. He has vast experience in coordinating youth programs ranging on topics from theater, video production, environmental education, health living, and cultural education. Mr. Jesus Espinosa Title Farm Sales Manager Experience/Biography Ms. Cynthia Espinosa Title Farm Programs Manager Experience/Biography Mr. Thomas Trepanier Title Farm Site Manager Experience/Biography 8
Staff Information Full Time Staff Part Time Staff Volunteers Contractors 5 3 15 3 Staff Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black Asian American/Pacific Islander Caucasian Hispanic/Latino 8 Native American/American Indian Other Staff Demographics - Gender Male Female Unspecified 5 3 Formal Evaluations CEO Formal Evaluation CEO/Executive Formal Evaluation Frequency Senior Management Formal Evaluation Senior Management Formal Evaluation Frequency NonManagement Formal Evaluation Non Management Formal Evaluation Frequency Annually Annually Semi-Annually Plans & Policies Organization has a Fundraising Plan? Organization has a Strategic Plan? Years Strategic Plan Considers Does your organization have a Business Continuity of Operations Plan? Management Succession Plan? Organization Policy and Procedures 9 Under Development Under Development 5 No Under Development
Nondiscrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Document Destruction Policy Directors and Officers Insurance Policy Is your organization licensed by the Government? Registration Permit? Under Development No No Exempt Collaborations Holyoke Food & Fitness Policy Council, CISA, Action for a Healthy Holyoke, Trustees of Reservation Awards Awards Award/Recognition Organization Year Wave of the Future Glynwood Center 28 Social Responsibility and the Environment Innovators for the Public, Social Entrepreneurs Community Leadership Harry Chapin Award for Self Reliance American Association of Architects and Planners 27 Ashoka 27 Massachusetts Public Health Association 28 Innovation from World Hunger 2 Champions of Change Environmental Protection Agency 211 1
Board & Governance Board Chair Board Chair Ms. Julia Rivera Company Affiliation Community Volunteer Term Jan 211 to Jan 213 Email juliaboardpresident@yahoo.com Board CoChair Board CoChair Richard Purcell Company Affiliation Bay State Medical Center Term July 212 to June 214 Email rick.purcell@baystatehealth.org Board Members Name Affiliation Status Mr. Sean Capaloff-Jones UMass Credit Union Voting Ms. Touria Eaton University of Massachusetts Voting Ms. Karen Grossi Community Volunteer Voting Ms. Maria Mendoza Community Volunteer Voting Mr. Richard Purcell Community Volunteer Voting Mr. Juan Renta Community Volunteer Voting Ms Julia Rivera Community Volunteer Voting Mr. K.C. Nat Turner University of Massachusetts Voting Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 3 Asian American/Pacific Islander Caucasian 1 Hispanic/Latino 3 Native American/American Indian 1 Other Board Demographics - Gender Male Female Unspecified 4 4 11
Board Information Board Term Lengths Number of Full Board Meetings Annually Board Meeting Attendance % Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Percentage Making Monetary Contributions Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions Constituency Includes Client Representation 2 12 8% Under Development Under Development 4% 8% Standing Committees Human Resources / Personnel 12
Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Feb 1, 212 Fiscal Year End Jan 31, 213 Projected Revenue $724,647. Projected Expenses $76,744. Endowment? No Credit Line? Reserve Fund? No Months Reserve Fund Covers Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Total Revenue $765,746 $1,3,692 $1,298,671 Total Expenses $735,944 $856,62 $1,84,847 Revenue Sources Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Foundation and Corporation $13,411 $193,785 $515,972 Contributions Government Contributions $559,466 $79,387 $71,644 Federal $559,466 $576,639 $512,929 State -- $187,426 $159,999 Local -- -- -- Unspecified -- $26,322 $37,716 Individual Contributions $29,144 $1,153 $23,268 Indirect Public Support -- -- -- Earned Revenue $21,385 $22,171 $41,569 Investment Income, Net of Losses $28 $247 $79 Membership Dues -- -- -- Special Events -- -- -- Revenue In-Kind -- -- -- Other $25,312 $13,949 $6,51 13
Expense Allocation Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Program Expense $581,37 $79,55 $841,68 Administration Expense $154,97 $146,512 $241,6 Fundraising Expense -- -- $2,232 Payments to Affiliates -- -- -- Total Revenue/Total Expenses 1.4 1.2 1.2 Program Expense/Total Expenses 79% 83% 78% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue % % % Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Total Assets $1,162,5 $1,131,226 $969,675 Current Assets $183,257 $162,21 $187,12 Long-Term Liabilities $ $ $ Current Liabilities $191,347 $189,52 $198,528 Total Net Assets $971,153 $941,724 $771,147 Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities.96.86.94 Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets % % % Top Funding Sources Fiscal Year 212 211 21 Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar -- -- -- Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Capital Campaign Currently in a Capital Campaign? No Comments Foundation Staff Comments Financial summary data in charts and graphs are per the organization's audited financials. In fiscal year 212 the 'other' category above includes reimbursements, as noted in the 212 Audited Financial document. Created 6.18.218. Copyright 218 The Boston Foundation 14