Upward Roots is 10 Years Old!

During the long days of the 2020-2021 school year, Upward Roots celebrated its 10 year anniversary. A major milestone in the life of a grassroots nonprofit organization.

It didn’t feel right to celebrate, so instead we looked inwards and examined how we could be a better Upward Roots. We are in the early stages of marching towards a more responsive, dynamic, robust, and sustainable Upward Roots. One that emerges as the local leader in nurturing young people to be the changemakers they already are, and to help them change their world for the better together.

Since 2011, we have empowered 2,342 young people in Oakland to design and lead 186 service projects benefiting over 5000 members of their community. Their youth-led, youth-designed service projects have fed hundreds of unhoused Oaklanders; educated hundreds of peers about climate change, racism, and bullying; and created unique solutions to some of the biggest challenges all of our communities face like violence and mental health. 

Since day one, Upward Roots has existed because of three key pillars: our team, our programs, and our supporters. We would not be here today without each of them.