Community Education
Nuestras Raíces offers a variety of community education programs centered on food justice, community leadership, and economic development for individuals and small businesses.
Empresarios Comunitarios
Empresarios Comunitarios (Community Entrepreneurs) is helping promising and potential entrepreneurs to scale up, achieve their full potential, create new jobs in the community, and become economically self-sufficient.
Every Other Month Nuestras Raíces hosts educational workshops focused on providing financial and business management assistance to community entrepreneurs based in the Western Massachusetts area. We offer bilingual lessons in Spanish and English aimed to equip individuals and small business entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their financial affairs, achieve financial stability, and reach their long-term financial goals. This program includes all the materials and resources available to help the individual and small business entrepreneurs succeed in the class.
Some key topics typically covered in our finance education workshops include:
1. Budgeting and expense management
2. Saving and emergency funds
3.Investing in stocks, bonds, and other assets
4. Credit and debt management
5. Financial planning and goal-setting
6. Retirement planning
7. Estate planning
8. Tax planning
9. Insurance (business, property, life, etc.)
10. Understanding financial markets and economic trends.
11. Basic bookkeeping skills
The benefits of the finance education workshops include:
1. Better financial decision-making
2. Improved financial stability
3. Increased savings and investments
4. Reduced debt and financial stress
5. Achieving long-term financial goals, such as retirement or buying a home.
Individuals can participate in the finance education workshops online and in person.
Do you have any specific questions about finance education or any of these topics? We're here to help!
Contact Kendy Capois at (413) 535-1789 ext. 204 or kcapois@nuestras-raices.org to enroll.
ServSafe Certification (CLASES EN ESPAÑOL)
Since the start of the program, Nuestras has helped over 100 business owners and professionals obtain their ServSafe® certification.
Nuestras Raices commissioned a ServSafe® certified professional to instruct a series of ServSafe® courses for community members interested in becoming certified Food Handlers. All lessons and exams are offered in Spanish and hosted at Nuestras Raices’ Main St location (329 Main St, Holyoke, MA 01040).
Classes are held in May and November, with upcoming courses occurring on June 22nd-23th 2023 from 5 pm-8 pm, and the exam on November 24th 2022 from 9 am-12:30 pm. Interested community members can bring the $75 enrollment fee to Nuestras Raices' Main St location, or call (413) 535-1789 ext. 204 for more details!
Sugar Cookie Workshop with Chef Sandra Hernandez (Bilingual Course)
This introductory course teaches basic sugar cookie preparation and decoration. Chef Sandra Hernandez will show three designs and five decoration technicians utilizing royal icing and fondant.
On January 11 to February 15 from 5:30 pm-8pm, local chef Sandra Hernandez will host an introductory cookie decorating workshop at 329 Main St, Holyoke, MA 01040. All required materials will be provided, such as cookie cutters and food coloring. All community members are welcome to enroll! Simply bring your $75 registration fee to Nuestras Raices' Main St location to join.
Call (413) 535-1789 ext. 206 or email rrosario@nuestras-raices.org with any questions.
Technical Assistance
Nuestras Raices staff are available to provide technical assistance to local business owners and entrepreneurs, specifically food enterprises such as restaurants and bakeries.
Support services include application support for PPP loans, guidance through COVID-19 phasing and reopening, direction on permitting, access to local agencies, and use of Nuestras Raices’ commercial kitchens and business space.
Our Partners


Support a more equitable food system!
Donate to Nuestras Raices online to join the movement for better food access for all.