April Communion Offering: Planting Justice

Our April Communion offering is designated for Planting Justice, an East Bay grassroots organization that empowers people impacted by mass incarceration and other social inequities with the skills and resources to cultivate food sovereignty, economic justice, and community healing. Since their founding in 2009, they have become a model for a new type of business—one that serves those on the margins of society while at the same time making a commitment to a sustainable future, paying a living wage, and expanding their offerings to better serve their community.

We are excited to welcome Sal Mateo Escobar, Planting Justice’s Co-Director, to tell us about this amazing organization, their mission, impacts, and plans for growth! Sal will be in the Fellowship Hall after worship to continue the discussion during our second monthly “Bless, Break, Give: Communing Toward Justice” forum.

Planting Justice offers several programs currently, including a permaculture landscaping service and a nursery and farm which grow plants for retail sale. They also have an Education Program which takes place at high schools, prisons/jails/juvenile detention facilities, their two farm sites, and through sliding-scale workshops for the general public. Students transform underused community spaces into edible gardens at each of these sites.

The Holistic Re-entry Program employs formerly incarcerated individuals in living wage transitional green jobs, providing successful employment records. Their hires start at $19/hr. They harvest a “culture of wellness” by investing resources into holistic support including housing assistance, financial planning, self-care, mental and spiritual health management with the aim of lessening the obstacles and trauma that stem from incarceration.

For more info please visit www.plantingjustice.org. In honor of Earth Day, please give generously to this amazing organization! You can send a check to FCCA with “Planting Justice” in the memo line or give via Tithe.ly.