Special to the Record
In 2017, GreenRoots and the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center applied for and successfully won a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize for the entire City of Chelsea. As a Prize winning alumni community, Chelsea was eligible to apply for funding from RWJF for storytelling needs in 2023. GreenRoots applied at the request of another local entity in Chelsea who was involved in the original RWJF process in 2017. GreenRoots successfully received the grant which requires GreenRoots to participate in a cohort, which meets several times over the course of eighteen months, and work with a storytelling coach through Spitfire Strategies. GreenRoots decided to subgrant up to $100,000 to other Chelsea based groups and organizations to support their storytelling needs.
Over the summer 2024, a GreenRoots intern and Chelsea resident reached out to all non-profit organizations in the city and met with several to understand their storytelling needs. In early fall, 2024 GreenRoots created a simple application process to which organizations and civic associations could apply for grants up to $15,000. A review committee consisting of community leaders and business representatives supported by two GreenRoots staff members reviewed and voted on the grant awards. GreenRoots awarded eleven subgrants totaling $93,000. The successful applicants consist of: Chelsea Black Community, Youth Elemento, North Suffolk Community Services, Stories Inspiring Movements, Jewish Chelsea Museum, People of Chelsea Project, Revival International Center of Chelsea, Theatre Zone, Chelsea Community Connections, Governor Bellingham-Cary House and Chelsea Bike and Pedestrian Committee.
These grants will help the groups further Chelsea’s powerful stories including supporting with the creation of the Chelsea Black Heritage Walking Trail; bridging connectivity between Chelsea’s Jewish history and more recent immigrants; highlighting powerful stories of youth; creating a video focusing on youth immigrant movements in Chelsea; publishing the history and impact of Chelsea Community Connections; expanding the reach and breadth of the People of Chelsea project and much more!