Roots 2Empower Launches Innovative STEAM Education Program for Pawtucket Youth with ARPA Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pawtucket, RI – July 8, 2025 — Roots 2Empower, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit dedicated to environmental justice and youth empowerment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Green Futures: STEAM After-School Education program, funded by the City of Pawtucket through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

This transformative initiative will serve 30 to 45 high school students ages 13-18 from Pawtucket’s most underserved neighborhoods, offering a hands-on, experiential curriculum in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)—with a unique focus on agricultural science, climate action, and wellness.

“This program represents a vital investment in our youth and in the future of our community,” said Tarshire Battle, Executive Director of Roots 2Empower. “By weaving together environmental justice, leadership, and career readiness, Green Futures gives students both the tools and inspiration to imagine a healthier, more equitable world.”

The program features three learning cohorts in the Summer and Fall of 2025 and Spring 2026. The Green Roots Program empowers Pawtucket youth with hands-on learning in environmental justice, civic engagement, sustainable gardening, composting, herbal medicine, and food preservation. Designed to cultivate leadership, environmental awareness, and career pathways in sustainability, the program combines cultural knowledge with science-based practices rooted in community resilience and health equity.

Funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), CFDA #21.027, as subawarded by the City of Pawtucket, the program supports the goals of ARPA by addressing education gaps, improving economic mobility, and equipping students with skills aligned with high-growth, green career pathways. Program staff will include experts in STEAM education and environmental science, who will guide students through interactive modules, field experiences, and real-world leadership opportunities.

“Green Futures is more than a program—it’s a pathway to possibility. Through this initiative, Roots 2Empower is helping our youth discover their potential as leaders, innovators, and stewards of a more just, sustainable, and vibrant future for our community.  It is truly a meaningful investment in Pawtucket’s youth and our city’s future,” said Jason M. Pezzullo, Director of Commerce for the City of Pawtucket.

About Roots 2Empower

Roots 2Empower is a nonprofit organization advancing social and environmental justice through public education, youth engagement, and community leadership. Its programs promote holistic wellness, sustainability, and equity for communities most impacted by systemic disadvantage.

To learn more or support the Green Futures program, please visit: www.roots2empower.org