Each month SURJ Santa Cruz County suggests a local organization that is doing excellent work strengthening racial and economic justice in our county. If you’re able, please consider making a donation– healthy for you, healthy for our community. Thank you!
African Roots Social Club is a mostly-volunteer mutual aid membership community spearheaded and run by Yasmina Porter, MA, a longtime Santa Cruz resident, artist and cultural leader, Fulbright scholar, meditation teacher and former college instructor in dance and culture. The project has been prioritizing the needs of families and individuals of African descent, documented and undocumented, in our community since 2021. The aid model and offerings (regular meditation gatherings, art and cultural events, support circles, etc) are open and inclusive to all. Folks have received temporary and respite housing, clothing and necessary household and personal items, transportation costs, healthy and culturally appropriate food, financial support and most importantly, loving care that restores dignity. Their high-impact work responds to human needs on a human scale.
Please consider becoming a member of this community or boosting your contribution to support this fundraising effort to meet emergency needs and program infrastructure. A local family has made a challenge donation of $10K – overall goal is $20K.
Ways to donate:
Patreon (Patreon.com/Africanroots), Venmo (@africanrootssocialclub), Zelle to Yasmina Porter (831) 201-8218 or if you want a tax deduction send a check made out to United Services Agency (their fiscal sponsor), c/o Yasmina Porter, 1030 River St. Apt 122, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Showing Up for Racial Justice-Santa Cruz County, CA 