The Legacy Cultural Project is our annual grassroots initiative focused on the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania. It is designed to promote community development, civic engagement, student leadership, and address systemic inequality. The Legacy Cultural Project consists of five key initiatives:
1. Youth Leadership Academy
In partnership with the Hope Center for Arts and Technology (HopeCAT) and the Farrell Area School District, this 8-week academy engages students in workshops on civic leadership, grassroots organizing, public speaking, cultural sensitivity, and financial literacy. Students also participate in peer mentoring and community visioning exercises to cultivate leadership from within and ensure their voices help shape community strategies.
2. Legacy Cultural Tour to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama
Our third annual Legacy Cultural Tour will take seven Youth Leadership Academy students, their guardians, local law enforcement, and city officials to the Deep South to visit historic civil rights landmarks, including the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Equal Justice Initiatives' Legacy Museum. These immersive experiences explore the history of racial injustice, build empathy, and promote unity. At the end of each day, we conduct workshops that encourage open, unscripted conversations in non-traditional settings. Upon returning, participants will lead community storytelling forums to share their reflections and foster deeper community engagement.
3. Leadership Under Fire and Community Outreach
This intensive 5-week workshop series, hosted at the Farrell Public Library, is open to students, residents, law enforcement, and city leaders who participated in the Legacy Cultural Tour. The series mobilizes students, residents, and community partners to engage in policy advocacy, community development, and discussions around public safety, racial equity, financial literacy, and health disparities.
4. Municipal Civic Engagement Project
As part of the summer Leadership Under Fire program, students work in collaboration with the City of Farrell on a civic project. This initiative allows them to apply the skills gained from earlier project components to design, lead, and implement real city initiatives. Examples include community cleanups, neighborhood improvements, and grassroots advocacy to promote civic engagement in Farrell.
5. African American Living Museum
In collaboration with HopeCAT, the 10th-grade class at Farrell High School designs, creates, and curates exhibits highlighting key figures and events of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Hosted at HopeCAT and open to the public for three weeks, the museum features exhibits inspired by the educational experience gained from the Legacy Cultural Tour.
Conclusion
The Legacy Cultural Project is a vital initiative dedicated to addressing economic and health inequities, enhancing cultural sensitivity, and improving community safety in the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania. We believe that through education and collective action, sustainable and meaningful change is possible. With your support, we can continue to foster unity, empower our residents, and build a more equitable future for all.
