Meet the Del Paso Heights Growers' Alliance
About DPHGA
We are a grass-roots organization advocating for social, environmental, and economic justice.
Cultivating joy, food, and inspiration
Vision
We envision a world with climate-resilient families, healthy communities, and thriving ecosystems.
Mission
Our mission is to build sustainable neighborhoods and circular economies through policy, advocacy, and experiential education.
Values
- Community organizing and empowerment
- Ecological restoration
- Environmental justice
- Preservation of BIPOC cultural practices and traditions
- Mutual aid and trustworthiness
- Mutual respect and trust
- Trauma-informed care to promote healing, intellectual, and performing arts (health and well-being)
- Poverty-intervention and economic equity
- Recovery from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education
- Asset-based community development
- Community building
DPHGA Pillars
Food Sovereignty
- Sustainable urban farming
- Food production and gardening
- Community building
- Access to no-cost, fresh, local food for vulnerable populations
Health
- Public health and preventative health
- Food education and resources
- Mental health and community service
- Ecological stewardship
- Resident capacity building
Climate Equity
- Clean water, air, and land
- Create and maintain healthy ecosystems
- Improve the quality of life in disadvantaged communities
- Learning and sustainability
Theory of Change
Our theory of change is rooted and based on the thriving together springboard that focuses on well-being and justice through the adoption of a set of vital conditions and a set of strategic imperatives and guiding principles. We are committed to ensuring that our neighborhood supports a thriving natural world, belonging and civic muscle, and basic needs for health and safety.
Goals
We seek to improve the social determinants of health in disadvantaged communities and among vulnerable populations.
Impact and Outcomes
We are focused on achieving the following impacts and outcomes:
- Increase opportunities and resources for vulnerable populations (human, economic, social, environmental).
- Expand food sovereignty and healthy ecosystems.
- Increase equitable neighborhood investments and development.
- Increase access to healthy, affordable, and locally grown food by Black, indigenous, immigrant, and people of color (BIIPOC) farmers.
- Increase power within disadvantaged communities to create sustainable change, improve health outcomes, invest in future wellbeing, and inform a replicable strategy for distressed neighborhoods (read the race and place report for more info).
- Self-governing skills among community members.
- Expand farm stands, urban ag markets, co-ops.
- Plan, design, and develop cooperative housing, energy, and food business models.
- Manufactured added-value products and goods (Cottage Housing laws, street vending, etc.).
Meet the Team
Fatima T. Malik-Wilson, MPH (we/ours)
Founder/Lead Organizer/Co-Director
Fatima is a 20-year resident of Del Paso Heights with a Masters in Public Health. She is an immigrant from South Asia and her social justice training emerged from being raised by a single-mother and having to provide for herself, family, and community. She is a member of the 2021 inaugural leadership cohort, Partners Advancing Climate Equity.
Fatima enjoys cooking, gardening, yoga, meditation, and travelling.
Max Rosa (he/him)
Co-Director
Maximilian develops sustainability focused service learning projects for schools and non-profit organizations and works on community empowerment initiatives. He’s grew up in the Del Paso Heights and attended American River College and UC Santa Cruz (UCSC). He has experience in leading grantmaking and collaborative funds for sustainability projects. In 2021 he started his own plant nursery business, MR. E – Nursery to supply regional retailers, consumers, community gardens, and schools. You will most likely find him climbing a mountain or hanging out with his pitbulls.
Yemanya Napue (she/her)
Co-Director
To learn more about the fabulous Yemanya Napue, please visit her website at https://www.thefabulousyemanya.com/.
Janea Hackett-Little (she/her)
Co-Director
Anita Lopez, MPP (she/her)
Technical advisor
Contact Us
Join Us
Del Paso Heights Growers’ Alliance has been fiscally sponsored by Sierra Service Project since 2021. They have been long-time partners in North Sacramento, and are excited to begin this new journey together.
