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Our Roots: From Healing Circles to Collective Action
How a community-led healing journey grew into Sana Roots Co
Why We Exist
Our aim is to reactivate collective ancestral memory and determination by reclaiming cultural practices, strengthening health, and fostering shared responsibility for our future. We serve a predominantly QTBIPOC, Spanish-speaking, and intergenerational community, creating a space where healing, leadership, and culture thrive together.
The Seed: Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together
In 2022, Sana Roots Co joined the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together learning collaborative, supported by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM). This 6-month initiative brought Southside San Antonio residents, organizations, and leaders together to co-create solutions for health equity.
For our team, this was the catalyst that turned vision into action. With Persons with Lived Experience (PLEs) guiding the process, we:
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Listened deeply to community strengths and needs
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Co-designed responsive programs rooted in foodways, land, communication, and healing
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Piloted intergenerational leadership models, connecting youth, caregivers, and educators
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Built a foundation of shared governance, preparing for nonprofit incorporation
Timeline of Key Milestones
2022 – Founding Team & Learning Collaborative
Participated in MHM’s Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative, engaging in community transformation, health equity strategy design, and pilot programming with youth, caregivers, and educators.
2023 – Incorporation & Organizational Foundations
Officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Formed our board of directors, began hiring staff (including PLEs), and formalized partnership with CAST Med High School.
Spring 2024 – CAST Med Pilot Programming
Launched pilot youth programs at CAST Med High School, focusing on leadership, health, and collective care, grounded in ancestral practices.
Fall 2024 – Teku Joins & Program Expansion
Teku became our third partner, adding new culturally-rooted programming. The CAST Med After-School Program flourished, facilitating youth, caregiver, and educator engagement with compensation for all participants, ensuring equity.
Spring 2025 – Strengthening Governance & Organizational Structure
Focused on building internal systems, shared leadership structures, and pathways for youth PLEs to join programming and training roles.
Fall 2025 – Exploring New Partnerships
Planning for innovative collaborations and program expansion.
Spring 2026 – Long-Term Sustainability
Focus on securing grants, funding, and enduring partnerships to sustain programming and community impact.
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