Longtime San Luis Obispo nonprofit, Grassroots II, has dissolved, but another organization is now taking its place.

Maxine Lewis founded Grassroots II in 1968. Lewis championed for the underprivileged and underserved in San Luis Obispo up until her death in 1988. Peggy Fowler took over as executive director, working to carry on Lewis' legacy ever since.

“There's nothing like being heard and people decades later say, that woman [Lewis] saved my life,” Fowler said about her friend.

But in late 2024, Grassroots II was dissolved with Fowler citing financial difficulties and the inability to fully reach the population in need of their services.

“It's a very long journey," she explained. "Unfortunately, we're fighting the same things today as we fought 50 years ago.”

Fowler cited high costs

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