Roots Up operates within an explicitly anti-force, anti-oppressive framework to raise up voice, choice, harm reduction and the wisdom we've gained through survival as we strive to dismantle systems and build the knowledge sharing opportunities and supports we wish were available in our most challenging times.

Roots Up* is led by people who've 'been there'. It is being built for people who've experienced trauma, psychiatric diagnosis, problems with substances and other life-interrupting challenges, as well as for their family and friends, clinical providers, peer supporters, first responders and others seeking learning and support opportunities.

Although Roots Up* was only founded in October, 2025, we have decades of experience between us and are ready to go!

We need your support!

As a newly independent and currently unfunded organization, we are seeking to:

Complete the process of becoming a 501(c)3
Build an organizational foundation based in anti-oppression principles
Develop a sustainable infrastructure that can support a range of activities
Set a timeline and goals for offering direct supports
Create and begin offering new trainings and other learning opportunities
Launch a podcast and other tools for advocating, organizing and reaching community
Change the world!

You can donate using this platform, or mail checks directly to 591T Memorial Drive, #1020, Chicopee, MA, 01020. Checks should be made out to 'Wildflower Roots' which is the name under which we are currently registered.

PLEASE NOTE: We are working on getting a fiscal sponsor that will allow for donations to be tax deductible until we become a 501(c)3 non-profit ourselves. However, at this time, we are only registered in the state of Massachusetts as a non-profit and donations are not tax deductible.

*ABOUT OUR NAME: Roots Up has grown out of a complicated history that included recent major disruptions to Wildflower Alliance due to their fiscal sponsor's changing attitudes about Wildflower's autonomy and a need to establish a truly independent group (see our story to learn more). The co-founders of Roots Up have nearly 50 Wildflower Alliance years between them, including the original founder and coordinator of the Guiding Council of Western Mass (GCOW) that, in turn, co-founded Wildflower Alliance. The first name we chose for Roots Up was 'Wildflower Roots' for the following reasons:

It signals strength and that no outside force has the power to take ownership over our work and community
It signals a return to the roots of Wildflower, where independence, voice and choice live
It represents the aspiration that the roots of Wildflower Alliance and this new group may one day grow back together

However, we also love the name 'Roots Up' and find much meaning in that, as well as potentially less confusion. In some places, you'll still see 'Wildflower Roots' (especially initially) and any donations or payments will need to be made out to 'Wildflower Roots' as that is our legal name. However, we will be "doing business as" 'Roots Up'.

Read more about our story here!