Norris Square Neighborhood Project Awarded PACE Grant for Immersive Sustainable and Cultural Trip to Puerto Rico

Last year, Planet Aid awarded $ 25,000 to the Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP) through the Planet Aid Capacity and Environmental (PACE) grant program.  The organization was one of four U.S. domestic organizations to receive funding from Planet Aid to support and promote local development initiatives that empower communities through sustainable practices and capacity building.

NSNP is centrally grounded in Philadelphia as a cultural hub committed to uniting and inspiring the surrounding community. They implement programs to cultivate young leaders, preserve Puerto Rican cultural heritage, and steward community land and environmental practices. The nonprofit applied for the grant requesting that Planet Aid consider their special venture to help provide experiential learning to connect participating youth with a transformative journey to Puerto Rico.

At first glance, the trip doesn’t sound much like a sustainable or capacity-building project; however, the grand plan was steeped in building pride and connection to cultural agricultural practices with great value and tradition.

In its application, NSNP detailed how the PACE grant could help the organization fulfill its mission to ignite a passion for sustainable agriculture, cultural preservation, and leadership among its youth in four ways:

• immersing them in Puerto Rico's rich agricultural landscape and expanding their understanding of sustainable farming practices
• deepening cultural connections and understanding of Puerto Rico’s vibrant heritage
• empowering young individuals to become catalysts for change in their communities
• presenting opportunities for personal growth and leadership roles with hands-on experience and community engagement.

Embarking on a Journey of Discovery

Many of NSNP’s youth participants have strong family connections to Puerto Rico; therefore, enthusiasm was through the roof to participate in the trip. Six young people accompanied by four dedicated chaperones, set out to explore the multifaceted world of Puerto Rican culture and agriculture.

Preparations involved intensive cultural education for youth and staff because cultural nuances and historical context would be crucial for meaningful engagement. 

Impact on Participants

Once the cohort landed in Puerto Rico, they began a power-packed agenda of activities. The young people journaled during the trip, and one of the journalists described their experience learning how to make natural pigment paintings. They wrote:

Going and using the natural paints, and being able to make it was nice. It was soothing just to sit here and listen to the rain hitting the roof while we paint and talk and cook Alcapurrias.

Another journal entry told of the group’s visit to the El Yunque National Park, a tropical rainforest in the northeast region of Puerto Rico.  The journal's writer detailed how the NSNP group got caught in the rain but they were very excited to make it to the park’s waterfall.  

Other ventures included a trip to the mountains, tasting fruit like berries and pineapples from a farm, and some helped plant trees while others put wood in the wood chipper.  Additionally, NSNP reports that the youth's engagement with Puerto Rican history and culture was profound, and discussions about the Puerto Rican flag and participation in Bomba lessons opened windows into the island's rich cultural tapestry.

By promoting cultural preservation, enhancing leadership skills, and supporting sustainable agriculture, the initiative has set a precedent for future endeavors. The journey to Puerto Rico is a testament to the transformative power of experiential learning and cultural engagement. It offers a blueprint for nurturing the leaders of tomorrow while leaving an indelible mark that includes lessons of courage, empathy, and respect that will most certainly be far-reaching.