Title
Celebrating Urban Roots and its 50 years serving the Saint Paul community.
Body
Whereas, Urban Roots celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2019 and is a vital local institution that cultivates youth leadership through connections to nature, healthy food and community with its unique “earn as you learn” programs; and
Whereas, the organization has a rich history serving the Twin Cities, beginning as a community development resource and evolving into a thriving youth development organization focused on engaging young people on Saint Paul’s East Side in life and work skills focused on healthy food and environmental stewardship while gaining entrepreneurial skills; and
Whereas, it was originally founded as the Community Design Center of MN, when its focus included services such as architecture, urban planning, economic development and food access; and
Whereas, the organization changed its name to Urban Roots in 2014 to reflect the shift in organizational focus to programs for youth and their families on the East Side; and
Whereas, Urban Roots has provided opportunities for over a thousand youth to gain job and life skills through hands-on programming while working with community and business leaders; and
Whereas, today, Urban Roots’ earn-as-you-learn paid internships continue to offer participants unique experiences working with local chefs, farmers markets, park managers and small businesses; and
Whereas, using three pillar programs to immerse students in job-skills through hands-on experience with healthy food and habitat restoration; and
Whereas, the three pillar programs are Market Garden, where interns learn urban agriculture while gaining skills in a “seed-to-sale” business model; Cook Fresh, where interns develop recipes and prepare healthy meals with the guidance of local chefs; and Conservation, where interns work to improve green spaces in their community; and
Whereas, by participating in Urban Roots’ internships, Saint Paul youth have access to opportunities, education and skills that will serve them throughout their lifetimes, and as one intern stated, opening doors to all sorts of new opportunities; and
Whereas, Urban Roots kicked off their 50th year with Chef Yia Vang followed by events at Summit Brewery, a variety of tours, parties and outdoor pizza nights over the course of the year and will culminate with a celebratory event on September 12, featuring entertainment, great food, and silent and live auctions; now therefore be it
Resolved, the city of Saint Paul is proud to congratulate Urban Roots on their first 50 years and thank them for their truly inspiring work supporting youth in learning and connecting with the world around them; and be it further
Resolved, that September 12, 2019 will be Urban Roots Day in the city of Saint Paul in honor of its fiftieth year