Rhizome was a café, community space and social justice hub located in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood of Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories. It was created to be a shared living room, a safe(r) space, and a support space for social justice work. It also was a full-service cafe, offering healthy, fresh food. In the time it was open, Rhizome:
- Supported social justice struggles by hosting events (like film screenings, panel discussions, performances and fundraisers) in collaboration with community groups that work to end oppression in all of its forms, and to advance youth empowerment, indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, and a more just, sustainable world for all.
- Encouraged dialogue and mutual learning, by making its Community Meeting Room available for workshops, meetings, and other small gatherings.
- Built community by providing people with a space to socialize with each other, share our common resources, and celebrate our victories–crossing many divides including age, orientation, ability, race, and gender.
- Helped marginalized voices be heard, and highlighted visual and performing arts that can help us achieve a better understanding of our communities and our world.
- Helped develop strategic, powerful community groups and movements through the programming of the Rhizome Movement Building Centre, a pilot program to provide training for community groups on strategic campaign development, base-building, and the forging of lasting alliances.