Heartful Rootz

We are reclaiming our knowledge and sharing a more Indigenized, heart-centered practice with our youth. We listen to our bodies, honor the land, and protect our culture. Our goal is to support every child in becoming their truest, freest selves—rooted in wellness, joy, and community. We believe in building a just and free community where every child has the opportunity to thrive. To make our afterschool program accessible to all Black, Native, and Indigenous youth—regardless of financial circumstances—we invite you to join us as a Sustaining Member of our co-op. By becoming a monthly donor, you directly support sponsored care for youth and single-parent families who need it most. Your ongoing contribution helps us provide equitable access, nurture future leaders, and strengthen our community support systems. Together, we can ensure that every child has a place to grow, connect, and celebrate their heritage. Ready to make a difference? Become a monthly donor today and help us create a more inclusive, empowered future for our youth. HEART & TLC Heritage Empowerment Attunement Rooted Together Teaching Love Care Heritage: We honor and celebrate the cultural heritage of our youth by integrating traditional stories, art, language, and practices into daily activities. Elders and cultural leaders are invited to share wisdom, ensuring that ancestral knowledge is passed down and kept alive. Empowerment: Our curriculum is designed to uplift every child’s voice, nurture leadership skills, and encourage self-expression. Youth are given opportunities to lead projects, make choices in their learning, and see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Attunement: We teach youth to listen to their bodies, emotions, and each other. Mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationship practices are woven into daily routines, helping children build self-awareness and empathy. Rooted: We create a sense of belonging by connecting youth to the land, their community, and their own identities. Activities like gardening, plant art, and land stewardship help children feel grounded and connected to their roots. Together: Community is at the heart of everything we do. Families, mentors, and youth collaborate in shaping the program, and we foster teamwork through group projects, drum circles, and community service, building a strong support network. Teaching: We provide holistic, culturally-responsive education that goes beyond academics. Our teaching methods are hands-on, creative, and adaptive to each child’s learning style, ensuring that every youth is engaged and inspired. Love: Every interaction is guided by compassion, respect, and genuine care. We create a safe, nurturing environment where children feel valued, accepted, and free to be themselves. Care: We support the well-being of each child through self-care practices, nutritious meals, wellness activities, and attentive mentorship. Our care extends to families and the broader community, ensuring everyone feels supported and uplifted. Find out more about our indigenous youth program at HeartfulRootz.org

Indigenous Harmony, Ecology & Ancestral Learning Creating dynamic Indigenous youth accessible song-gatherings, and art-cohorts, through the profound tradition of Plant Family Songs. Empowering young people to reclaim stolen knowledge and ancestral practices. Improving community health by increasing access to traditional medicines. Your contribution to Plant Family: IHEAL directly supports the revitalization of Indigenous medicine, ecological stewardship, and ancestral wisdom within our community. Every dollar helps us empower youth through immersive workshops, connect them with invaluable elder knowledge, and cultivate a future where our relationship with the land is one of harmony and healing. Join us in nurturing cultural resilience and building a sustainable future for generations to come. Donate today and become a part of the Plant Family. "Plant Family: IHEAL” will create dynamic Indigenous youth cohorts, through the profound tradition of Plant Family Songs, empowering young people to reclaim stolen knowledge and dedicate the time needed for comprehensive learning. Elders, healers, and knowledge keepers will guide these cohorts, providing immersive workshops, teachings, and hands-on training sessions that integrate art-making activities with cultural learning. Participants will learn to identify, cultivate, and sustainably harvest native plants, understanding their medicinal properties and the ecological principles that govern the local ecosystems. By reviving these ancestral practices, the project aims to dramatically improve community health outcomes by increasing access to traditional medicines, promoting food sovereignty through native plant cultivation, and deepening the connection to the land. It restores our culture through art, self-expression, and healing, while finding our nature relatives. It also contributes to local biodiversity conservation and reinforces the community's role as dedicated stewards of their environment. The project's impact will be transformative: restoring vital cultural practices, strengthening community resilience, nurturing ecological balance, and improving overall well-being. By empowering individuals with knowledge and skills rooted in their cultural heritage, "Plant Family: IHEAL" will ensure that ancestral wisdom thrives, laying a foundation for a sustainable and harmonious future. In summary, "Plant Family: IHEAL" addresses critical health and ecological challenges faced by many tribes by nurturing the profound relationship between Indigenous medicine and ecology. Through Plant Family songs and cohort building, art, expression, and healing, the project will revitalize vital cultural practices and contribute to the holistic well-being of the community, fostering a strong sense of identity, unity, and responsible stewardship for generations to come.