Earth Week Events, Online EJ Lessons for Kids, May Membership Meetings, New DC Staff, & More!

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Free Online Learning Modules

In the wake of the COVID-19 school closings, there has been increased demand for online educational content. And there has long been a void when it comes to educational content that focuses on environmental justice. That is why today, as part of National Environmental Education Week, WE ACT launched the first in its series of free online learning modules to teach children in grades 4-12 about environmental health and justice. Learn More ([link removed])

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Earth Week Events


On Sunday, Lubna Ahmed participated in the Earth Day Initiative's Earth Day 50th anniversary virtual kick-off event ([link removed]) . Earlier this morning, Taylor Morton participated in a discussion on building climate resilience in communities at the New School's Tishman Environment and Design Center ([link removed]) . And here's what's coming up later this week:

Tuesday, April 21st
Sonal Jessel will participate in a Columbia Mailman School of Public Health town hall on environmental justice and health at 12:30 PM ([link removed]) . Lubna Ahmed will be on an NAACP Crisis Magazine panel on environmental racism & COVID-19 at 1 PM ([link removed]) .

Wednesday, April 22nd
Cecil Corbin-Mark will speak at a virtual ([link removed]) Albany Advocacy Day at 1 PM ([link removed]) . Peggy Shepard will be on a New York State Senate panel discussing the impact of climate change on the economy at 3 PM ([link removed]) .

And you can still participate in our Earth Day 5K "virtual race” throughout the week. It's a great way to get exercise while raising funds to support our work. Learn More ([link removed])

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Climate Justice Working Group "Virtual" Meeting

Thursday, April 23rd
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Concerned about the climate crisis? Join our Climate Justice Working Group! Our monthly meeting is on Thursday evening. We will continue are planning on the Heat, Health, & Equity initiative. RSVP Here ([link removed])

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May "Virtual" Membership Meeting

Saturday, May 9th
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

As you know, we had to cancel our March and April Membership Meetings due to COVID-19. But we are coming back strong in May with our first "virtual" Membership Meeting. So mark you calendar for Saturday, May 9th, and get ready to Zoom!

We will focus on the role of environmental injustices in contributing to the higher COVID-19 mortality rates in our community, and ways we can protect, advocate on behalf of, and organize New York City’s most vulnerable. New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Hospitals, will join us! RSVP Here ([link removed])

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Help with HEAP: Volunteers Wanted

We are working to expand the Home Energy Assistance Program ([link removed]) and would like to follow people through the enrollment process to better understand how we can improve it. If you are eligible ([link removed]-) and interested in enrolling ([link removed]) to help pay your energy bill this summer, we can help guide you through the process. Please reach out to Sonal Jessel at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=HEAP%20Volunteer) . The deadline to apply is May 1st, so please contact her soon and help us improve this program!

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New Staff in DC

We have added two staff members to our DC office. A familiar face to many, former Community Organizer and Outreach Coordinator Louis Bailey (left) returns as our National Environmental Justice Coalition Manager. And Caitlin Buchanan (right) joins as our Federal Policy Associate. Prior to joining WE ACT, she worked for Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. During her time on Capitol Hill, Caitlin focused on issues related to environmental justice, environmental liability, toxic chemicals, and defending federal climate science.

WE ACT is Hiring

We are looking to add two staff to our New York office: a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Community Organizer ([link removed]) and a Development Associate ([link removed]) . If you you feel you meet the qualifications, please email your cover letter and resume to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , explaining why you are a good fit for the position. No phone calls please.
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WE ACT in the News

We sent an earlier update about Peggy Shepard's profile in Marie Claire ([link removed]) , but the rest of the staff have been quite active as well. Lubna Ahmed was interviewed by the Hill ([link removed]) , Mother Jones ([link removed]) , Undark ([link removed]) , Uptown Radio ([link removed]) , and Vox ([link removed]) (twice ([link removed]) ) about the role environmental inequities
play in the higher COVID-19 mortality rates in communities of color. Sonal Jessel also spoke with Truthout ([link removed]) about air pollution and COVID-19 and to the Verge ([link removed]) about the potential impacts of extreme heat if we are still sheltering in place. And Cecil Corbin-Mark was interviewed by Inside EPA ([link removed]) about New York State's Child Safe Products Act.

New Blog Posts
In addition, Tina Johnson contributed a blog post on life in Grant Houses during COVID-19 ([link removed]) and Taylor Morton contributed a blog post on online learning opportunities during COVID-19 ([link removed]) .

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Congressional Briefing Webinar on the Health Impacts of Toxic Personal Care Products on Women & Girls of Color


The pressure for Black, Latinx, and Asian girls and women to conform to an unreasonable standard of beauty and cleanliness has us using products with ingredients that are harmful to our health.

Watch our virtual congressional briefing on the health impacts of toxic personal care products and cosmetics on women and girls of color, and learn about the federal legislation that could address the issue. Watch the Video ([link removed])

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Save the Date: WE ACT Gala 2020

Thursday, Oct. 15th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Mark your calendar for the 2020 WE ACT Annual Gala. It will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15th at the International House. We will be posting additional information throughout the summer, but you can already become a sponsor. Learn More ([link removed])

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Environmental Justice Grants
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 30, 2020

Are you a nonprofit doing environmental justice and sustainability work in New York State? Then consider applying for our Environmental Justice Capacity-Building Grant Program funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. As part of this program, WE ACT will award 18 grants – $50,000 each, for a total of $900,000 – to eligible groups throughout New York State. The RFA is available to download online at weact.org/grants ([link removed]) .

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