Pros
The organization had a great original mission and first decade of existence … they still want to be of service to the community. - urban farm land and farmer markets are a true resource.
Cons
- the organization is set up on a savior complex model. Problematic staff are maintained even when community members have expression concerns/issues. - the organization hasn’t/isn’t doing the work to support young black men and often miss the demographic in their recruitment efforts - not aware of their community - the suburbs are the focus bc that’s where the money is. -shifting youth program models without internal knowledge or training (for staff or youth) - too many alumni keep the organization and programs from evolving. The reliance on alumni and former youth staff (as well as a lack of Youth Development framework) under trained staff putting/leaving youth in unhealthy situations - high staff turn over - every staff person that started the year I did had transitioned out of the organization by the beginning of the next calendar year. - lack of commitment to DEI and community voices