Roots Community Health Center – Oakland, CA
Roots Community Health Center (Roots) is a multiservice healthcare agency that addresses systemic inequities and poverty by combatting the historically neglected health needs of the African American/Black communities in East Oakland. In doing so, their services and programs address community needs via community engagement and transition services, workforce enterprise and training, health and wellness services, and community advocacy and capacity building.
Support from the Fund for Workforce Equity enabled Roots to center worker and learner voice in the development, design, and evaluation of its newest workforce enterprise. A group of formerly incarcerated women of color worked with a research and evaluation expert to design and test candle products for sale. For four days a week, participants received candle-making training and an introduction to candle scent, color, and additives. Later in the program, they created a product name and brand. Participants met with Roots’ Research and Collaboration team at least once a week to collect market research data and create a training manual for the next cohort to help ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.
During project implementation, Roots recognized that the lack of affordable childcare services was a significant barrier for workers and learners. In response, they partnered with local licensed childcare providers to offer free childcare services while participants were in the program. This allowed them to focus on their research without worrying about their children. Further, Roots noted participants’ interest in graphic design and incorporated a Canva workshop to help enhance their skills. Through this training, workers and learners worked together to create their own candle brand, logo, and label for their final product.
At the end of the program, participants hosted an “Open House” event to showcase their final candle products, where attendees had the opportunity to purchase the products. Seeing its success, Roots has decided to make this event a permanent program component for future cohorts. Roots also hosted a formal graduation event to celebrate their program completion. Afterwards, all participants were offered an opportunity to interview for a position of their choosing at Roots. Two were hired and the rest can enroll in another apprenticeship program in the near future.