Racial Justice United States Project #67592

"Together, We Can Heal Our Community"

by Roots Community Health Center

Project Report | Mar 16, 2026
Together, We Can Heal Our Community #4

By Danika Mortis | Funding Coordinator

At Roots Community Health Center, our donors are more than supporters they are changemakers. Your generosity through GlobalGiving continues to be a lifeline for East Oakland, fueling health, healing, and hope where it is needed most.

Recently, we were deeply honored when GlobalGiving highlighted Roots Community Health Center during Black History Month on its website. This recognition meant more than visibility it affirmed the importance of culturally responsive care in communities that have historically faced barriers to equitable healthcare. When organizations like GlobalGiving amplify our work, it helps families in our community feel seen, valued, and safe seeking care from providers who understand their lived experiences.

Because of your partnership, meaningful progress continues across our programs:

Expanding Access to Trusted Care becauseRoots continues to break down barriers to healthcare by providing culturally responsive services that reflect the experiences of the communities we serve. Patients who previously delayed care due to mistrust or lack of access are now connecting with providers who understand their cultural and social realities. This trust is critical to improving long-term health outcomes in East Oakland.

Investing in Youth Leadership and Opportunity Through mentorship and workforce readiness initiatives connected to the future Youth Wellness Center, Roots is creating pathways for young people to explore careers in health, community advocacy, and public service. These opportunities empower youth to become leaders who will help shape a healthier future for Oakland.

Strengthening Community Partnerships Roots continues to collaborate with local organizations, community leaders, and service providers to expand the reach of critical resources. These partnerships allow us to meet people where they are connecting families to healthcare, mental health support, workforce programs, and housing navigation services.
Welcome Wednesday: A Gateway to Care offers a trusted entry point to care through Roots’ “No Wrong Door” approach, connecting East Oakland community members each week with healthcare services, resources, and support that promote long-term health and stability.

These milestones represent real transformation families stabilized, confidence restored, and futures rebuilt.

A powerful source of momentum for our community continues to be the development of the Roots Youth Wellness Center. As planning and early development move forward, excitement is growing among community members, partners, and young people who see this center as a long-awaited investment in their future.

The Youth Wellness Center will bring together mental health services, mentorship, workforce readiness opportunities, and wellness resources designed specifically for youth in East Oakland. By creating a space where young people can access support, guidance, and opportunity under one roof, Roots is building a foundation for long-term health, stability, and leadership.

Support from donors through GlobalGiving continues to play an essential role in moving this vision forward. Your partnership not only helps us expand services today but also strengthens the future of this center and the young people it will serve.

We are deeply grateful to GlobalGiving and to every supporter who believes in the power of community-driven healthcare and youth empowerment. Together, we are helping ensure that the next generation in Oakland has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

Oakland has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

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Nov 18, 2025
Roots Community Health

By Danika Mortis | Funding Coordinator

At Roots Community Health Center, our donors are more than supporters; they are changemakers. Your generosity through GlobalGiving continues to be a lifeline for East Oakland, fueling health, healing, and hope where it’s needed most.

Our vision for the Roots Youth Wellness Center is taking shape a safe, empowering space where young people can access mental health support, mentorship, and medical care designed for their unique needs.

With the support our:

Families facing barriers to care are now receiving culturally responsive medical services that respect their lived experiences.
Street Outreach Teams have expanded, connecting with more unhoused neighbors and linking them to housing and health resources.
Youth and families affected by trauma are accessing holistic mental wellness services.
Community Health Workers are equipped with new tools and training to advocate for wellness and equity within their neighborhoods.

These milestones represent real transformation families stabilized, confidence restored, and futures rebuilt.

A story that continues to inspire our community was the groundbreaking of the Youth Wellness Center. This center represents more than the start of construction it symbolizes a movement toward empowerment. The future center will offer workforce readiness programs, mentorship opportunities, and wellness resources that help youth move from surviving to thriving.

Donors’ contributions have been life changing in a city where many young people face daily challenges but continue to persevere through community strength and dedication. The momentum from the groundbreaking has already generated new interest and commitments from additional donors who believe deeply in investing in Oakland’s youth.

Every donor has a unique reason for giving. Through GlobalGiving, we’ve built a space where your values whether it's improving access to healthcare, supporting youth, or reducing homelessness are reflected in real, measurable outcomes. As we move forward, we remain deeply grateful for your commitment to health equity and our mission at Roots.

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Jul 22, 2025
Roots Community Health

By Danika Mortis | Funding Coordinator

At Roots, we often say that our donors are not just contributors they are changemakers. Your platform to receive gifts is a perfect example of how collective generosity fuels transformation in our community.

Together, we’re continuing to make a powerful impact.
Thanks to your ongoing support through GlobalGiving, we’ve sustained and expanded vital programs serving the East Oakland community. Since our last update:

Families who have historically faced barriers to care are now receiving culturally responsive medical services that honor their lived experiences.
Our Street Outreach teams have grown, allowing us to connect more consistently with unhoused neighbors across East Oakland.
Youth and families navigating trauma are accessing holistic mental health and wellness care.
Community health workers are now better equipped with tools and training to advocate for wellness and equity in their own neighborhoods.

And we’re just getting started.

One story that continues to inspire us is that of a single mother who had nearly given up after being denied care due to her insurance status. Through donor-supported services, she received the medical attention she needed plus mental health support and housing navigation all under one roof. Today, she’s working full-time, attending parenting classes, and building a stable future. You helped make that possible.

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