Environmental Justice workshops geared towards building community resilience

The Ignite Workshops in May along Pittsburgh’s Three River Valleys seek to support environmental justice projects throughout the region

Southwestern, PA — Residents, nonprofits, municipal leaders, and more are invited to attend three opportunities throughout the month of May to receive support for developing their environmental justice-focused community projects.

Hosted by New Sun Rising and RiverWise, community development nonprofits based in Allegheny and Beaver counties, the Ignite Environmental Justice (EJ) Workshops are part of the organizations’ newly launched Justice 40 Opportunity Navigator (J40N).

The navigator seeks to support EJ designated communities in building the collaborative capacity necessary to fund and implement projects that improve their health, climate resilience, and economic opportunity. The Ignite EJ Workshops this May are opportunities for local leaders to do just that.

The Justice 40 Navigator was created in response to the federal government’s historic commitment to invest in disadvantaged communities in environmental justice census tracts through the Justice 40 Initiative. This commitment states that 40 percent of overall benefits of almost $2 trillion in certain federal investments, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), flow to disadvantaged EJ communities.

“Environmental Justice” communities are places that have experienced generational disinvestment — often alongside the consequences of polluting and extracting industries. To learn about disadvantaged environmental justice communities closest to you, visit New Sun Rising’s Vibrancy Index map and select the EJ census tract layer here.

“Our environment determines so much. It is everything around us,” said Scott Wolovich, Executive Director at New Sun Rising. “Not all communities receive the investment necessary to create healthy places where people can thrive. We’re excited to partner with RiverWise and bring these shared resources to the region.” 

Participants in the Ignite EJ Workshops can expect the following:

• Education: Gain knowledge about the concepts of environmental justice, resilience, and learn why Justice 40 opportunities are so important.
• Mentorship: Receive guidance for developing and communicating your project plan.
• Advocacy: Optional participation in a pitch competition to showcase your project while receiving feedback to strengthen your messaging.

Strategically located across the Greater Pittsburgh Area’s three river valleys, the workshops are May 2, 22, and 30 with the following details:

• Allegheny Valley: Thursday, May 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub, 112 E. Sherman Street, Millvale, PA 15209.
• Ohio Valley: Wednesday, May 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Whitted Media Content House, 507 Seventh Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
• Monongahela Valley: Thursday, May 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. Location TBD.

“Environmental justice generally does not just happen for disadvantaged communities without careful, deliberate, and strategic action,” said Daniel Rossi-Keen, Executive Director of RiverWise. “These workshops are focused on accelerating the capacity and vision of community leaders who want to encourage such action and bring about more just conditions for their communities and residents.”

Interested parties are encouraged to apply for the workshop in their region by completing the Community Project Intake Form.

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About New Sun Rising: New Sun Rising envisions a vibrant and equitable future where communities are sustainable and have access to the resources necessary to thrive. We collaborate with communities to build capacity, access funding, and embrace data-informed approaches towards their own vibrant future. For more information, visit https://www.newsunrising.org. 

About RiverWise: RiverWise is working to organize community voice and power so that residents of Beaver County can exercise agency over the future of their communities. RiverWise does this through community informed storytelling, technical assistance, and collaborative project design and funding. For more information, visit http://getriverwise.com.