| Description |
For over 40 years, the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) has committed to working for and with marginalized communities in Riverside and San Bernardino County. As a community based organization (CBO), its primary focus has been to elevate the issues experienced by some of the State’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised communities. Currently, CCAEJ serves a diverse and growing population of over 2 million Latinx, nearly 500 thousand Black Americans, and close to 40 thousand (self-identifying) Indigenous individuals. In addition, CCAEJ focuses on helping to lift the voices of immigrant, monolingual Spanish-speaking, working-class communities who have been impacted by environmental and health injustices. Supporting Civic Engagement for Environmental Health: To support community power building and resident engagement on issues related to environmental justice, climate change and public health in the Inland Empire region of Southern California.<br/><br/>We serve a diverse population in our communities including youth, LGBTQIIA+, Black, Indigenous, People of color, immigrants, disenfranchised and marginalized communities.<br/><br/>CCAEJ has been making great strides in using our Green Zones framework with a focus on having a comprehensive, community-based, solution oriented and collaborative approach. We have led our improvement of statewide air quality and community health within the Inland Valley by:<br/>Leading conversations about renewable energy, electrification and implementing a just transition which includes community members and workers<br/>Creating literature and infographics with up-to-date information on environmental justice, campaigns and leadership development opportunities <br/>Tracking and monitoring incoming warehouse juxtaposed to sensitive receptors <br/>Hosting and supporting Toxic Tours that introduce stakeholders and other leaders to the environment hazards experienced in our area<br/>Conducting a wide net of community outreach within fenceline communities <br/>Facilitating community meetings to advance air quality and the Green Zones work <br/>Identifying Overburdened Communities:<br/>A key component of meeting our goals is identifying the priority overburdened communities within our region. We achieve this by using state of the art technology such as the CalEnviro screening tool, current data developed by scientists at the air districts, and the expertise of community leaders who inform the work and the areas of focus <br/>Policy- through policy CCAEJ is forwarding our goal to reach more robust equitable environmental goals:<br/>SB1000- we are now working on the implementation of this historic bill and continue to educate stakeholders of best approaches in doing so<br/>AB617- CCAEJ has led the conversation of the development of this bill and continues to invite community to participate in the shaping of this bill <br/>Indirect Source Rule (ISR)- CCAEJ is at the forefront of assuring the ISR is strong policy and provides the best measures to protect community, our environment and strong just-transitions policies<br/><br/>CCAEJ continuously trains and hires staff to carry out its mission and goals to improve the quality of life of the communities it serves and Mother Earth. Therefore, we can only survive and continue this needed work with the help of partners like the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation and many others. Money will be used to maintain our facility open, staff employed, and provide the staff and community with resources they need to continue the advocacy and policy changes we so desperately need. With your support, together we can improve the quality of life of thousands while also addressing the climate emergency our world is currently facing. <br/><br/><br/> |
