activities · 7
what they do
direct service · 6
- Community Composting ProgramOperates the Tlazoteotl Compost Project, collecting compostable food waste from local residents in Barrio Centro and Julia Keen neighborhoods, processing it into nutrient-rich compost, and distributing it to gardens and residents.
- Community Reclamation and Beautification Projects Public Space Beautification & Signage EnhancementInitiates and implements community projects, including murals and composting, to reclaim and beautify spaces in the Tucson barrio, often mobilizing community volunteers for tasks like planting trees and building rock features.
- Midtown Farm Development Transformative Vacant Lot GardeningTransformed a neglected space into Midtown Farm, which serves as a hub for food justice, composting, cultural memory, and hosts youth programs and community workdays.
- Rainwater Harvesting and Site Improvement Rainwater Harvesting & Green InfrastructureImplements rainwater harvesting techniques by creating basins and swales to improve water retention and strengthen soil, including installing ADA-accessible pathways at their site.
- Sustainable Living and Skill-Sharing InitiativesFosters sustainable living practices among underserved youth and communities through skill-sharing, place-based connections, gardening, water harvesting, and resource-sharing to restore self-sufficiency and cultural traditions.
- Youth Creative Expression Programs Artist Support ProgramsProvides creative spaces and opportunities for young people of color in Tucson to express themselves through art forms such as shirt designs and hip-hop.
capacity building · 1
- Youth Leadership and Education WorkshopsFacilitates workshops led by youth members on topics such as social justice, Indigenous culture, and philosophy for other BIPOC youth, as seen at the Corazón de Aztlán Youth Leadership Retreat.
strategies · 8
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Art and Activism for Liberation and Healing art_and_activismBy combining sustainability, art, and rebellion, the organization creates a method for liberation, healing, and empowerment, particularly in underserved communities, and uses art and activism as dual tools to create community outlets that reflect lived experiences and cultural roots.
- Circular Economy and Environmental Education through Composting circular_economy_compostingThe organization diverts food waste from landfills to improve soil quality, reduce waste, mitigate climate change, and advance environmental education, contributing to a circular economy.
- Community-Driven Movement for Self-Determination community_driven_developmentThe organization operates as a community-driven movement grounded in sustainability, self-determination, and creativity, starting with grassroots efforts to reclaim space and foster vibrant community hubs.
- Cultural Reconnection and Traditional Ecological Practices cultural_reconnectionThe organization employs traditional ecological practices such as gardening and water harvesting, and uses cultural reconnection as a foundation for sustainability work, to restore self-sufficiency, preserve heritage, and ensure communities of color have a voice in the 'Green' movement.
- Hip-Hop as a Tool for Resistance and Empowerment hip_hop_activismThe organization utilizes the core elements of hip-hop (Breaking, MCing, Graffiti, DJing) as tools for resistance, community empowerment, and to provide spaces for young people of color to express their thoughts and experiences.
- Integration of Art and Regenerative Agriculture for Neighborhood Revitalization art_and_regenerative_agricultureThe organization integrates art and regenerative agriculture to beautify and activate neighborhoods, transforming spaces into vibrant, green community hubs.
- Place-Based Community Healing and Sustainable Living place_based_community_healingBy fostering skill-sharing, place-based community connections, and storytelling, the organization promotes sustainable living practices that address community traumas such as incarceration, addiction, violence, food insecurity, health issues, and economic disparity.
- Youth Mentorship and Leadership Development youth_leadership_developmentThe organization develops youth members from mentees into mentors and leaders, fostering their growth and empowering them within the community.
named programs · 8
what they call their work
Art & Mural Program
Youth-led public art initiative using murals and hip-hop culture to express BIPOC experiences, promote racial justice, and transform neglected spaces
Bees
Pollination and biodiversity initiative supporting beekeeping to enhance local ecosystem health and agricultural sustainability
Cintli Maíz Corn
Youth and community-centered corn-growing initiative promoting food sovereignty and cultural reconnection in Tucson’s barrio
Farm Animals
Small-scale animal husbandry program with chickens and goats, integrating livestock into sustainable urban farming and compost systems
Future Visions Renovating
Project to transform the former Julia Keen Elementary School into a green community hub with education, food production, art, and cultural spaces
Midtown Farm
Urban farm on repurposed land serving as a hub for food justice, composting, youth programs, and cultural memory in central Tucson
Tlazoteotl Compost Project
Community compost initiative collecting food waste from Barrio Centro and Julia Keen neighborhoods to produce nutrient-rich soil for gardens and farms
Water Harvesting
Climate resilience project using basins, swales, and native landscaping to passively capture rainwater and support sustainable land use
relationships · 8
who they work with
- Chicanos por la Causa’s Nahui Ollin Wellness Program Partner — Partnered with for youth members to become mentors and leaders.
- Community Food Bank Partner — Provided materials for a renovation project.
- MacArthur Foundation Funder — Provided a Racial Justice Mini Grant through YWCA to support a project.
- Nighthawk Natives Plant Nursery Partner — Provided trees for a renovation project.
- TUSD Partner — Partnership connects compost project with school nutrition programs benefiting students, families, and the Tucson community.
- Tank’s Green Stuff Partner — Provided materials for a renovation project.
- Tucson Clean and Beautiful Partner — Provided encouragement for a renovation project.
- YWCA Funder — Supported a project through the MacArthur Foundation’s Racial Justice Mini Grant.