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City Roots Community Land Trust

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HELP THE CAUSE

City Roots is working to empower residents and preserve affordability in our neighborhoods, but we can't do it without YOU! Join us every Third Thursday at 5:30 pm.

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In Memory of Wallace R. Smith
Wallace Smith will forever be remembered as a founding leader of City Roots Community Land Trust. He served on the first Board of Directors and completed his final term just days before he was called home. These are the words of those of us who benefited from Wallace's leadership and wisdom:
 
"Wallace spoke the Truth, for him, it was a way of life; he was always moving to the fore because he lived what he believed."

"Wallace was a BOLD personality, he took charge. He was unapologetic about speaking the Truth to Power. He was someone who never gave up Hope."
"Wallace participated in the 1964 Uprising. He was involved in FIGHT, worked on Jimmy Carter's Presidential Campaign, and eventually became it's last President. He worked at the Freedom School in Beechwood and at the Freedom Market. He even helped write a book with researchers at the UR about Community Literacy in Beechwood. One of his most important legacies was the mentorship he gave to so many in the community. I wouldn't be who I am today or doing this work without Wallace's advice, tough feedback, and inspiration." -Shane Weigand
"Wallace was also about building bridges. He could ask for forgiveness and forgive. He always spoke directly, he could challenge and call you out."

"You knew you could always have a meaningful conversation with him. From his own personal experience he was motivated to address the injustice of redlining. That is why he believed in Development without Displacement and in City Roots CLT."
 
We are filled with gratitude for the life and leadership of Wallace Smith. We are grateful to his family and friends who helped get him to meetings for as long as he could. We will honor and remember him and continue to learn from his way of living and leading. THANK YOU WALLACE!
 
-Melissa Marquez, President of City Roots Community Land Trust Board of Directors
 
The Wake and Funeral of Brother/Elder Statesman Wallace Smith will be held at same church location:
Cathedral of Hope
1069 Joseph Ave
Wakes: Friday, April 9th at 2-4 pm & 6-8 pm
1 hour viewing April 10th at 10 am
Funeral proceedings to follow at 11 am

Third Thursday: General Member Meeting
Thursday, April 15 from 5:30-7:00 pm

We hold our general meeting on the Third Thursday of every month. This is a great time to catch up on what's been going on with the CLT, other members and supporters, and to ask questions!

A lot of our organizing efforts have paid off! This month, we have really big news that we can't wait to share with all of you! We'll hear reports from our member committee's on what they've been working on! Then we will formulate a plan for our big news. 
 
Join the meeting: 

April Committee Meetings

Our members put the Community in Community Land Trust! Join our Committee meetings throughout the month to stay involved in community work with City Roots CLT!

Tonight at 5:30 PM! 
The Outreach & Engagement committee now hold our meetings alongside the Policy & Governance committee on the 2nd Thursday of every month, so you won't miss out on anything! The Policy & Governance Committee will be finalizing 2 policies they have been working diligently towards, & the Outreach & Engagement Committee will preview our presentation for our Gentrification Conference this Saturday, & begin planning a party!!
 
See you soon! If you would like to be involved but can't make it to the meeting, join us on Slack!

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95855573258?pwd=WityKzVHN3pMaVpZL3FvVUdSRjJEZz09
Don't forget to join our Slack Family! We've added channels for all of our committees; Advocacy, Fundraising, Outreach & Engagement, Stewardship, and Policy & Governance. This way, our members can stay updated on what the CLT is currently working on, provide us with feedback, or share relevant news & information with your fellow members! Click here to join!*

*Link to join expires in 30 days.
GET INVOLVED

To achieve awareness and inspire action, the Greater Rochester community is joining together for 22 days of learning and action for intersectional climate justice.

Climate of Change aims to convene a diverse cross-section of community members to develop a clear understanding of how environmental injustice harms our region and advance a shared vision for positive change.

Following the model of the 21-day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge, participants will receive a daily email with content to help them explore, learn, and engage, through a mix of live presentations, facilitated discussions, videos, articles, and action opportunities.

The premier elements of the series will be four virtual events held each Thursday evening (April 1, 8, 15, and 22, 5:30-7:00 p.m.) that feature nationally recognized keynote speakers and local guest panelists. These outstanding presenters include Daphany Rose Sanchez, a NYC-based energy equity advocate and founder of Kinetic Communities, and Vic Barrett, a prominent youth climate activist with Earth Guardians.

It's not too late to register for the Annual Gentrification Conference with 540WMain! 
 
On April 9 & April 10, join us to hear about the historical context of capitalist exploitation in the housing system locally, the power of community land trusts in fighting gentrification, and ways participants can join the struggle for community control of land. The 2021 theme is Resisting Gentrification: Then and Now, and will be a (mostly) virtual platform!

This year's conference is all about community engaged discussions and action work, informed by the lived-experiences of community members directly affected by gentrification.
We have several volunteer opportunities coming up!

We have the opportunity to rehab our first CLT home in the PLEX neighborhood! Thank you to everyone who has been involved in our recent volunteer days, we truly couldn't do this work without the support of you all. 
 
Our next Volunteer Cleanup Day will be Saturday, April 17th at 12 PM! 
 
In the interest of staying safe, we're looking to space out a few groups over the afternoon. Sign up for a timeslot here: https://forms.gle/JLAU2M8BeLZUZqkJA
 
Some of the work will include, but not limited to:
  • -taking leftover trash & debris to dumpster
  • -yard cleaning
  • -attic cleaning
  • -pulling up flooring, wall paneling
  • -removing duct & electric systems
Some helpful tools to bring: cordless drill, hammer, crowbar, wrench, rake, spade and flat shovel, pruners, gloves, flat head screwdriver, needle nose pliers. We will be social distancing, please wear a mask!

We'll also have mini-volunteer days at Hazelwood Terrace! Starting April 13th through the 16th, stop by 257 Hazelwood Terrace with a stereo or podcast, & help us remove carpet staples! It will be everyday from 4-7 PM.

Get involved today!
We're 4 months into our membership campaign! If you haven't filled out the form yet, stop what you're doing and click HERE to fill out a free membership form! Even if you live on CLT land, we want to make it official by filling out a membership form online. This helps us know more about potential members interests, and helps track attendance. 

You qualify as a member if you live within the City Rochester and you meet two of the three qualifications: 1) Pay $25 annual dues; 2) Attend at least 4 CLT meetings within 12 months; and 3) Volunteer in some capacity on behalf of the CLT. If you think you qualify but aren't sure, please reach out to Anastajah.
We're still looking for 3-5 more testimonials for our website! Here are a few questions for inspiration!
  • What drives you to be a City Roots CLT member?
  • What is one memorable experience you've had with City Roots?
  • Do you believe in community control?
  • What is your vision for your community, for City Roots CLT, or the city of Rochester?
Membership

City Roots Community Land Trust is a 501.c.3 community controlled non-profit working to establish lasting affordability in our communities here in Rochester, NY. City Roots acquires land and improvements (houses, apartments, commercial buildings, gardens, playgrounds, etc) and then puts it to our members to decide how it should be used.

You qualify as a member if you live within the City Rochester and you meet two of the three qualifications: 1) Pay $25 annual dues; 2) Attend at least 4 CLT meetings within 12 months; and 3) Volunteer in some capacity on behalf of the CLT.
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info@cityrootsclt.org

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City Roots Community Land Trust · 20 First St · Unit B · Rochester, New York 14605 · USA

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