Lower Your Energy Bill: Free Tools & Guidance at Our Online Workshop

Are you or someone you know struggling to pay your energy bill? You are not alone, as this is an issue for millions of New Yorkers. WE ACT can help! We host New York State’s Manhattan Clean Energy Hub, which is designed to help individuals, nonprofits, small businesses, and affordable housing owners in Manhattan learn about ways to reduce energy use and costs, how to make more informed energy decisions, and the benefits of the clean energy economy.

At 6:30 PM on Tuesday, January 27th, the Hub is hosting an online workshop to help you reduce your energy use and lower your energy bill. Participants will receive a FREE home energy savings kit with $92 worth of energy efficiency upgrades, including LED light bulbs, a window insulation kit, and more! RSVP

Healthy Homes, Thriving Communities: Principles for Equitable Building Decarbonization Webinar

Everyone deserves a healthy home, yet that’s not the case for many. Home energy bills are skyrocketing, indoor and outdoor air pollution from fossil fuels is at an all-time high, our climate is in chaos, and communities of color and low-income are facing these threats all at once - but, we have solutions!

Join us on Wednesday, January 28th at 12:00 PM for our Healthy Homes, Thriving Communities: Principles for Equitable Building Decarbonization webinar. Learn about these principles and local efforts to advance healthy homes and building decarbonization. Be part of this important conversation! RSVP

Beauty Justice Fair: Learn About the Dangers in Cosmetics & What You Can Do About It

The beauty industry is largely unregulated, and everyday beauty products often contain harmful chemicals – especially the products marketed to people of color.

Come to WE ACT’s 2026 Beauty Justice Fair and learn about the dangers, how you can help advocate for safer alternatives, and receive free non-toxic beauty items. You can also learn about colorism and racism in the beauty industry and the importance of passing the New York State Beauty Justice Act while exploring hands-on activities, creative projects, and DIY stations. In addition, we will have local clean beauty businesses on-hand and offer free food, drinks, and merch!

Join us on Friday, March 6th from 5:00-8:00 PM in the NAC Ballroom at the City College of New York (160 Convent Ave.). Questions? Email [email protected]. RSVP

Yosef Robele was featured in a Nonprofit Quarterly story on environmental organizations leading the resistance against the Trump administration’s fossil fuel agenda, in which he highlights our vocal advocacy against the administration’s environmental rollbacks – including testifying at public hearings and submitting technical comments.

Caleb Smith explained the importance of passing New York City’s maximum indoor air temperature bill in Brick Underground and City & State New York.

Peggy Shepard and her husband Charles Loveday were visited by the New York Amsterdam News, which did a nice story about their home.

WE ACT Co-Founder and “Environmental Justice Legend” Vernice Miller-Travis was featured in a Moms Clean Air Force story celebrating MLK Day. Vernice shares her fascinating journey, including the founding of WE ACT.

And former staffer Charles Callaway talked about his time at WE ACT as part of an MLK Day story in the Proctor Academy alumni magazine.

Uptown Chats Podcast: Briana Carbajal Talks 2025 Wins & 2026 Plans

In case you missed it, Jaron and Jama started the new year by talking with Briana Carbajal, our State Legislative Manager, about some of our key wins in 2025 as well as some of the key bills we’re pursuing in our 2026 Policy Agenda. Listen

January Membership Meeting: Great Start to the Year

For those who had the misfortune of missing our first membership meeting of the year, we wanted to share some highlights. Not only did attendees have an opportunity to provide feedback on our 2026 Policy Agenda. They also had an opportunity to hear from many of the elected officials representing our community, including New York State Senator Robert Jackson, New York State Senator Jose Serrano, New York State Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York City Councilmember Yusef Salaam, and New York City Councilmember Jordan Wright.

Take the EJNYC Survey: Provide Input on Environmental Issues in Your Community

As the City works to develop its first comprehensive Environmental Justice Plan, the EJNYC Plan, the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice has launched a short questionnaire to hear from New Yorkers about priority environmental justice concerns in communities across the city, as well as the solutions respondents believe would be most impactful.

The EJNYC Plan will put forth actionable strategies to address environmental inequities identified in the 2024 EJNYC Report and embed environmental justice into City decision-making. Questionnaire responses will be used to identify potential gaps and inform the draft EJNYC Plan. If you have any questions or seek additional information regarding the EJNYC Plan, please visit nyc.gov/ej or email at [email protected]. Take the Survey

Marciely Alvarado (left) and Mariclaire Joseph (right) ran into New York City Councilmember Elsie Encarnacion (center) at the annual East Harlem Legislative Town Hall hosted by New York State Senator Cordell Cleare, East Harlem Community Health Committee, and Human Services Consortium of East Harlem on January 16th.

The Heat Is On: Apply to HEAP for Help with Winter Heating Costs

Staying warm shouldn’t be a luxury. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is now open – and it’s a critical resource for low-income frontline communities facing rising energy burdens and winter heating costs.

Too many New Yorkers are forced to choose between heat, food, and rent because of unaffordable utility bills and aging, inequitable energy systems. HEAP can help provide a credit toward your heating bill, whether you use electric, gas, oil, propane, or other fuels.

Check to see if you qualify and apply at MyBenefits.ny.gov. You can learn more and apply at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap or by calling 1-800-342-3009, but our friends at PULP recommend MyBenefits.ny.gov as it could be quicker. Learn More & Apply 

Join Our Earth Day 5K Fun Run

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Earth Day, but our 5K Fun Run is the best. You’ll have a chance to be active, enjoy one of the less-explored parks in Manhattan, and support WE ACT for Environmental Justice!

Our annual 5K is a fundraiser open to all ages. We have competitive runners, casual joggers, and leisurely walkers. You can enter as an individual or as a team. The important thing is being there, being a part of our community, and raising money for environmental justice. Register Today

Join us on Saturday, April 25th, on Randall’s Island. Our staff will be there at 8:00 AM with pre-race snacks and drinks. Check-in starts at 8:30 AM, with the fun run starting at 9:00 AM. And once our last participants cross the finish line, we’ll hand out the medals, with awards for the top finishers and fundraisers!

Take advantage of early bird registration, which includes a free WE ACT membership and a fashionable WE ACT Earth Day 5K t-shirt.

To register for the race, read our FAQ, or get more information, please click here. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, email [email protected].

All proceeds from the Earth Day 5K support WE ACT! If you can’t join us, please consider making a donation to support our work.

New York City Greenway: Provide Input

The New York City Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the City's Departments of Transportation and Parks, is working to enhance and expand its greenway network, which will provide continuous biking and walking paths in all five boroughs. If you would like to  give input ahead of the final Greater Greenways Long-term Expansion Planning Citywide Advisory Committee meeting in March, please take this digital survey.

Summer Youth Employment Program: Applications Are Now Open

Applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program are open! We encourage youth and families interested in these employment opportunities to visit nyc.gov/syep and apply by February 27th. And, as you can see below, Mayor Mamdani is on board!