CCAEJ Environmental Justice Leadership
Across our country and throughout the world, people struggle to ensure that the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the land they share, is safe, healthy and protected. For more than 32 years, CCAEJ has provided the support and leadership to communities in this struggle. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving both our social conditions and the natural environment we inhabit so that everyone has a safe, healthy, toxic free place to live, work, learn, and play.
CCAEJ provides:
CCAEJ's goal is to see our neighborhoods, families and the natural world better protected. Learn more about us within our website!
Phone: (951)360-8451
7701 Mission Blvd.
Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
PO Box 33124 Jurupa Valley, CA 92519
Donate
This is because heavily exercising people tend to breathe more rapidly and deeply. In addition, when people breathe more deeply, ozone uptake may shift from the upper airways to deeper areas of the respiratory tract, increasing the possibility of adverse health effects. Children are also more susceptible because they breathe in more air per body weight and play outside more.
Inhaling ground-level ozone can result in a number of health effects that are observed in broad segments of the population.
Some of these effects include:
Respiratory symptoms can include:
Ozone pollution is directly associated with ASTHMA. Researchers have identified more than 140,000 asthma cases in California. Children that participate in 3 or more outdoor sports in high ozone communities were three times more likely to develop asthma than children who did not play sports.
Premature deaths -Studies found that exposure to ozone is associated with increased mortality. Ozone may directly affect the heart and cardiovascular system as well as the lungs. Birth defects-Ozone may impact the development of a fetus in the womb. A 2002 UCLA study found that women exposed to ozone in their second month of pregnancy had an increased risk of giving birth to babies with serious heart defects
According to American Lung Association analysis of nationwide ozone pollution data between 2003 and 2005, California is home to eight of the ten most ozone-polluted counties in the United States.
1.San Bernardino (California)
2.Kern (California)
3.Riverside (California)
4.Los Angeles (California)
5.Tulare (California)
6. Fresno (California)
7. Harris (Texas)
8. Merced (California)
9. Tarrant (Texas)
10. Sacramento (California
Ozone Pollution
San Bernardino has some of the highest readings of ozone (smog) pollution in the nation. In the high layers of the atmosphere, Ozone acts as a protective sunscreen that shields us from the high levels of UV radiation coming from the sun. At ground-level, however, it can be harmful to plants, animals, and humans. Ozone (O3) is a gas that can form and react under the action of light and that is present in two layers of the atmosphere. High up in the atmosphere, ozone forms a layer that shields the Earth from ultraviolet rays. However, at ground level, ozone is considered a major air pollutant.
Ground-level ozone is formed from other pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the action of light and heat. Concentrations are often low in busy urban centers and higher in suburban and adjacent rural areas, particularly on sunny days in summer. However, ozone can be transported through air over long distances and across borders. Ozone is known to cause adverse health effects. People with the greatest exposure are those heavily exercising outdoors for long periods of time when ozone concentrations are high.
Air Pollution--
The Inland Valleys also face some strong environmental challenges. One of the major environmental issues facing the Inland Valleys of Riverside and San Bernardino is air quality. Just as the majestic mountains surrounding the valleys provide dramatic views, they also create conditions that exacerbate other environmental exposures. The surrounding mountains trap the air pollutants that blow in from the coasts of Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as trapping the pollution created locally.
Environmental Issues
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Programs at CCAEJ
--Community Empowerment Program
(Pages 2-5)
Community Empowerment Programs
We develop grassroots leaders by helping individuals recognize their own strengths, learn new skills and develop the confidence to utilize those skills within a group setting.
The building blocks of every community lie in relationships at the neighborhood level. Our work enables local residents to be the authorities within their neighborhoods. Residents have knowledge, contacts and skills that enable them to draw their neighbors into efforts to improve their community. Our efforts are not to build one community leader, but to encourage many community residents to share leadership. Some people are strong on research and like the details; others have strong people skills and can motivate others to get involved; others have financial skills; others have good writing skills; others have close relationships and credibility with many people in the community; and others have persuasive speaking skills. Each is a leader in their own right. Each has the ability to expand their skills and explore new experiences.
CCAEJ uses several methods to develop grassroots leadership. We believe the most effective learning takes place by doing. While leadership is not created by sitting in classes but in doing, we seek opportunities for people to practice new skills in safe environments and to hone their new skills in real life settings. Role plays, practice, and attempting skills are essential to not only fine-tuning skills but developing the confidence and trust in each other necessary to confront power.
Leadership Development Programs
Our leadership development programs include:
•SALTA
•Advanced SALTA
•Youth SALTA
•A-Teams
•Community Action Teams (CAT)
•Leadership Academy
•Coalitions/ Partnerships
•Issue Forums/Symposiums/ Summits
Methods of Leadership Development
•Inland Valley SALTA program -- Salud Ambiental, Lideres Tomando Accion
•Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action
SALTA
The SALTA program is a popular education method for building awareness to environmental health issues. It is a 10-session, structured program designed primarily to involve the Latino community. The formal classes are taught in both Spanish and English and begin by focusing in the home to foster understanding of environmental factors that influence health (i.e. cleaning products, pesticides, lead paint/candy, etc). The lessons expand to examine the neighborhood and then to the wider community. To graduate participants must attend every class and pass the post test with an 85% comprehension. We hold graduation ceremonies and present diplomas to each new Promotora. Each graduate then recruits, enlists and teaches another class expanding the information and building leadership. We then identify those individuals with natural leadership qualities and interest and enlist them as block leaders. These organized neighborhoods become a foundation for community action.
Advanced SALTA
The Advanced SALTA class is open to anyone graduating from our SALTA class and consists of a curriculum that explores more deeply the environmental threats in our communities. Participants learn about a significant pollutant in their area, such as diesel trucks or trains, and learn more about the specific issue. They also participate in organizing activities such as door knocking, petition drives, presenting testimony in public, etc. At the end of the course the graduates have a strong understanding of an important issue and are seen as the local expert in their neighborhood.
Neighborhood Assessment Teams (A-Teams)
A few community members are interviewed and selected to participate in our A-Teams. Each A-Team consists of 4-5 members who undergo extensive training on air quality. The A-Teams began as a partnership with USC Keck School of Medicine through their Childrens Asthma Study. Participants were instructed in truck counting, measuring ultrafine particles by using an instrument called a P-Trac, conducting community mapping to identify facilities and hot spots; analyzing data and presenting information to local residents, officials and researchers. Each generation of A-Teams trains the new team passing on knowledge and creating community expertise.
Community Action Teams (CATs)
Our Community Action Teams consist of local residents willing to commit time and energy toward solving a local problem. Our CATs consist of between 15-30 members all from the affected neighborhood. They identify and outline the existing issues, outline the power structure involved in this issue; and identify appropriate solutions. They also undergo advocacy training and become the local leaders sharing information, updating their neighbors and rallying residents to participate.
Leadership Academy
At every level of our organizing we hold skill development workshops. Once a year our Leadership Academy identifies those interested in the issues and provides more in-depth understanding of organizing theory and skills development. This structured 12- week class provides not only in-class theory but outside practice. We believe that one learns organizing and leadership not by studying in a class, but by doing. Home work assignments, role plays, and practice provide solid experience before venturing out to the real world. Sessions focus on understanding spectrum of social change approaches, power analysis, recruiting methodology, media relations and message development. Participants must conduct a campaign before completing this course.
Networks/Coalitions/Collaborative
CCAEJ is a strong believer in partnerships and seek opportunities to expand the perspective on social issues by bringing diverse groups together. Our neighborhood and community leaders are given the opportunity to expand experiences and knowledge by working with other groups and communities on issues of common concern.
Issues Forums/Symposiums/Community Summits-
CCAEJ sponsors various forums to focus on specific issues in order to raise awareness and understanding of those issues. We utilize community leaders to lead workshops, give presentations, and participate on panels. Each opportunity provides practice and expansion of experience and the building confidence.
Crucial to our Community Empowerment program are our efforts are to demystify science, law and the experts. CCAEJ sees these as technical tools to be utilized by communities but not to be used to control community decisions. We emphasize the difference between technical issues and policy issues and the legitimacy of community in setting policy. For example, the presence and amount of a chemicals in drinking water is a technical issue; but how much of any given chemical that should be in our water is a policy issue, and as such an issue upon which the communities must decide.
ICAN Inland Clean Air Network
I Breathe, I Care, I CAN!
In recent months it's become very obvious that the Inland Valleys of Riverside and San Bernardino need to get our act together if we
are to confront the pressing air quality issues facing us all. The last straw for me was reading in a report where we were described as "suburban Los Angeles". Thanks to your help, CCAEJ has begun the formation of an Inland regional coalition to focus on clean air in our lifetime. I Breathe, I Care, I CAN! is the call to action for us all.
Individuals, neighborhoods, schools, groups, churches, businesses, serious about cleaning up the air are invited to join us in this effort. Give us a call if you're interested in joining the network. Now is the time for action!!!
CCAEJ plans to kick off the network with a Clean Air Summit after the first of the year.
We'll have health researchers with the latest information on how our dirty air affects our health; scientists that can explain what we can do to protect ourselves; and policy makers on efforts to reform the laws so companies can't continue to pollute in search of their profits.
It's time to put the Inland Valley on the map. Stop being the black hole between LA and San Diego - stop being the dumping ground for everything LA, Orange County and San Diego doesn't want.
It's time that the Inland Valleys live up to its full potential: one where resident's health comes first; community sustainability is considered; and the good quality of life is available for all our neighborhoods.
Let's get the bad stuff out - bring the good stuff in and build our communites to be safe, healthy and prosperous places for us to live, work, learn, and play.
Glen Avon Heritage Park Begins Construction
November 2007
After more than 5 years of navigating the Countys permitting process CCAEJ has begun work to construct the Glen Avon Heritage Park.
Under a $1.6 million Murray-Hayden Urban Parks Grant from the California State Parks Department the nearly 13-acre park will host the usual playground, tot lot, picnic tables and hiking trails. In addition, it will have a BMX bicycle tract; camping area; soccer field; and grass volleyball court.
Another unique feature will be a water playground with dancing fountains, dumping buckets and water cannons. In a separate area, highlighting the existing 1889 Victorian house, a Victorian Garden will feature flower beds, a water fountain, shaded seating areas and covered strolling lanes. The park is located at 7701 Mission Blvd in Glen Avon across from and just west of Glen Avons Patriot High School.
The construction work began October 11th with the earth moving equipment from Operating Engineers Training Trust. We are so pleased to have Operating Engineers select our project as one of the many charitable projects they conduct each year, said Penny Newman, Executive Director of CCAEJ. The union is donating the equipment time, labor and expertise as part of their training program and saving us hundreds of thousands of dollars. She continued, It also demonstrates our shared concerns for and cooperative efforts in support of working families in our communities.
This whole effort to build a community park in Glen Avon has been a cooperative effort from several local agencies, businesses, organizations and residents. Guiding the project has been a park committee of local residents who have selected the layout for the park, and identified the facilities to be placed in the park.
Park committee members are Bev Huber, Dorothy Brown, Pip Reaver, Don Galleano, Rene Chavez, Linda Spinney, Sally Merha, Karen Bradford, Wendy Eads, Dan Rodriguez, Deenaz Coachbuilder, Betty Stinson and Penny Newman. Jim Huber has donated his time to help coordinate efforts between the various agencies.
Overseeing the project is Community Works with Ken Kammeyer Associates with Greg Zoll as our Project Manager and PENCO Engineering of Norco providing the final push to get the plans through Riverside County. “If it weren’t for PENCO and Jerry Burke and Pat Brown we would still be pushing papers through the county’s maze,” stated Penny. “Before Christmas you will see grass sprouting. We guarantee it.”
Jurupa Area Recreation and Parks District (JARPD) has worked very closely with CCAEJ and has provided great support and guidance. When the park is fully developed it is slated to be donated to the Parks District for ongoing operation and maintenance as Glen Avons premiere park.
Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) has also stepped forward to assist in making this park happen. They have provided their expertise and moved quickly to ensure the availability of water and sewer systems for the park. Preparing the land for development with trash removal and tending to our existing trees has been the CDF crews from Norco Conservation Camp. Burrtec has provided trash bins and dumpsters for the cleanup and removal of debris. Orco Block has donated blocks for various projects at the park.
Anyone wishing to help out in the development of Glen Avons park is welcome. We need youth from the community to help us layout the BMX tract; we need flower gardeners to pick the right plants for the Victorian garden. We have a Cesar Chavez Community Garden and need help in revitalizing it so we can install the Peace Pole given to us by the Girl Scouts. There are projects for scouts, gardeners, hikers and more. This is truly OUR community park we welcome the involvement of all our community.
Grand Opening
of The Glen Avon Heritage Park
On Saturday, July 18, 2009, many of you joined the Glen Avon community families in celebrating the Grand Opening of our park. Thousands of people showed up to enjoy the music, admire the classic cars, eat lots of food and play on the park equipment. The squeals of delight could be heard throughout the 13-acres as the children ran and splashed through the Water play Splash Pad.
Your financial support has left a legacy of caring that will last for years to come. Youve made it possible to bring a lot of happiness and joy to the children and families of our community. And the fun hasnt stopped all summer
Open from 8 am to 8 pm the park has proven to be a center for community activity, hosting birthday parties, soccer games, basketball games, daily walks and hikes.
Environmental Justice Intervention and Revitalization Program
Environmental Justice communities are those communities that carry an especially heavy burden of pollution and a lack of access to amenities and services. These communities are overwhelmingly low income, communities of color. The pollution sources may vary from refineries, dump sites, landfills, incinerators, large agricultural facilities, heavy industrial facilities, cement plants. As the importation of goods from Asia continues to increase, we see facilities that cater to the movement of goods and products from the ports of LA and Long Beach through the Inland Valleys raising the levels of air pollution. Again the concentration and highest levels are found in low income, communities of color throughout the southern California area. In order to correct this situation and create healthy communities where families have a healthy, safe, and prosperous place to live, work and play, three things must occurstop the levels of pollution from getting worse; intervene and take dramatic steps to reduce the imminent health threat and reduce the current levels of pollution; and, take proactive steps to create healthy, sustainable communities.
CCAEJ has developed the Environmental Justice Intervention and Revitalization program to address the critical needs of these communities.
CCAEJ has launched a pilot program similar to that developed to deal with toxic wastes sitesa program to intervene and reduce the health risks and lessen levels of pollution smothering these communities and restore communities to healthy, safe and sustainable communities. It would consist of the following components:
Inland County residents were successful in forming a Task Force of local, state and federal agencies to address the myriad of pollution sources operating in communities from Mira Loma to Colton and on the Westside of the City of San Bernardino. Joining forces through the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice they demanded action on the extreme levels of pollution facing their families every day.
The Task Force came together following a tour of the area where local residents from Mira Loma, Colton, and the Westside of the City of San Bernardino explained their issues, told how they were affected and offered solutions through a Platform for Action developed by the community residents.
In one stop in Mira Loma, they heard from residents in Mira Loma Village, a housing tract with 101 homes on Etiwanda. Agency staff were appalled at the number of warehouses surrounding these homes. More than 800 trucks an hour pass within 20 feet of these homes. Everyone was in tears as one father in Mira Loma described his pain in watching his 15-year old daughter die of lung cancer.
Despite their heavy pollution burden, the county has proposed 6 new warehouses directly next to homes at their fence line, and another 11 warehouses across the street at the Space Center. Mira Loma is known to have the highest levels of particulate pollution in the nation and children in this community, according to USCs Childrens Health Study have the weakest lung capacity and slowest lung growth of all children studied in southern California due to particulate pollution.
The participants engaged in a full day discussion of the problems and how the various agencies could help in addressing them and left with a strong commitment to take action to solve this horrendous condition.
Inland Valley EJ Task Force is:
Jan Misquez Memorial Fellowship
March 2nd would have marked the 49th birthday of our dear friend and colleague - Jan Misquez. At the end of 2009, our hearts were broken when we lost this courageous warrior to a long and painful battle with cancer. Jan had a heart of gold, a smile that would brighten any room and was a friend to everyone she met. And she had the courage, tenacity and persistence to create change.
Jan served on the Board of Directors for CCAEJ and was hired as a Campaign Director to head our San Bernardino office. Jan was a staple of San Bernardino activism fighting to move OmniTrans LNG refueling station out of the residential neighborhood; fuel in Rialtos drinking water; planting trees; and confronting the BNSF railroad and its pollution. She helped to develop our SALTA program to educate and raise awareness to the environmental health issues facing her community. Jan was a member of the San Bernardino Police Commission and ran for City Council when she saw the Westside was being ignored. Her passion, drive and kindness inspired us all. She played a leadership role on statewide issues through the Modesto Avila Coalition, THE Impact Project and the California
Environmental Justice Alliance and became a close friend to Senator Nell Soto. She will be missed by so many that have been touched by her bright smile and warm heart and remembered for her love of music and spur of the moment funky dance routines.
In honor of Jan and the legacy of community organizing she leaves for the Westside of the City of San Bernardino, and as a tribute to the work to which she committed her life, CCAEJ has established a Jan Misquez Memorial Fellowship.
Through the fellowship we will provide new opportunities for leadership in communities like the Westside for years to come. The Jan Misquez Fellowship will allow someone from an EJ community to work with CCAEJ for one year to learn new skills, participate in special training and develop their talents in order to become an effective community organizer. Each year a new fellow will be selected increasing the number of trained community organizers for the Westside and the Inland Valleys.
You can be a part of this opportunity to help build people power and honor Jans life by donating to her Fellowship Program. Make your check or credit card donation to:
Jan Misquez Memorial Fellowship Fund,
c/o CCAEJ PO Box 33124, Riverside, CA 92519.
In The Beginning
Stringfellow Acid Pits/ Concerned Neighbors in Action
CCAEJs approach to community empowerment is grounded in the battle of the small community of Glen Avon and its fight to stop pollution from the Stringfellow Acid Pits, Californias top priority Superfund site and one of the most notorious toxic dumps in the nation. The small rural community mounted a battle that stopped the exposure to hundreds of different chemicals at the site, and obtained compensation of more than $114 Million to those damaged from the exposures. We were able to obtain funding from the state that paid for residents on private wells to connect with Jurupa Community Services District, increasing the service area for JCSD. Stringfellow is the only toxic site that has its own section with DTSC, its own dedicated staff and its own budget.
Our efforts also set the stage for major changes in state and federal policies dealing toxic chemicals. Among the policy changes we pushed for in California are:
Our groundbreaking programs established the model for public participation process in the federal CERCLA (Superfund); Technical Assistance Grants (TAG); Community Advisor Committees; and the statutory right of communities to participate in decisions made at toxic sites
In 1993, we settled the largest toxic tort case in the nation for more than $114 Million for 3,000 plaintiffs suing 250 major corporations and the State of California and the County of Riverside. Following these major victories the community decided that since our communities were targeted for every bad facility proposed by industry, we needed to have an institution that can assist neighborhoods to fight for their rights. In 1993, the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice was born.
1993 - CCAEJ continues its work to oppose the >strong>Eagle Mountain Landfill proposed near Joshua Tree National Park. Just this year, after 18 years of battle, we won the federal lawsuit challenging the land exchange, presenting a major hurdle to continuing the proposal.
June 1993 -CCAEJ establishes LA office with Co-Director Triana Silton. Focus of work is the formation of the Lead Collaborative; Breast Cancer Coalition (linking environmental , womens health and women of color organizations together to broaden the perspective on breast cancer from merely early detection to its root causes and impacts; and Battery Recycling Awareness Program to raise the issue of exporting used batteries to the Philippines, where children and families use hammers in their bare hands to break the batteries apart for recycling. CCAEJ wins agreements with several cities not to send recyclables oversees.
Inland Valley Focus
1997Auto Nation USA proposes to build a car reconditioning facility that would have 11 paint-spray booths and would not be required to install pollution collection technology, resulting in more than 52 tons of chemicals into the air5 times the federal standards. CCAEJ files an appeal of their permit. By Nov. Owner J. Wayne Huizenga walks away from facility and turns in his permitsthe first time a corporation had turned in a permit at South Coast AQMD.
Goods Movement
1997- ARB declares diesel emissions a Toxic Air Contaminant and begins CCAEJs research into trucks and air quality of the area.
1998 -Old Dominion Freight Lines proposed placing a trucking facility in Glen Avon. After mounting a successful campaign (which resulted in an editorial column entitled Due respect for Glen Avon) , the Board of Supervisors overturned the Planning Commissions approval.
1999- Tri-co Drum proposes placing a drum recycling facility in the heart of Glen Avon. After CCAEJ publishes pictures showing the mess at its current facility in Fontana, the company withdrew its application the morning of the hearing.
1999 -Warehouses proposed by IDI (Industrial Developments International) for the Mira Loma area come under scrutiny. CCAEJ objects to these 2.8 million square foot facilities going in without an EIR (County issued a negative declaration and fast-tracked the permit). CCAEJ sues the corporation and county on grounds of inadequate study of traffic, air quality, plants & animals impacts.
June 28, 2000,- CCAEJ wins lawsuit forcing Riverside County and developers to conduct EIRs on all projects.
2000- Glen Avon Revitalization Committee begins meeting with Tavaglione to address lack of code enforcement and services.
Jan. 17, 2001- Opus West Corp. and Pannatoni Development Corp. propose more Industrial buildings totaling more than 12 million sq. ft.
Feb. 8, 2001- CCAEJ holds Townhall meeting where USC outlines the results of their Childrens Health Study. Mira Loma children have the slowest lung growth and weakest lung capacity of all children in southern California.
Feb 14, 2001- Mapei Corporation proposes places a grout making plant with 12 story tall towers in Glen Avon. Ultra fine particles would add to air pollution levels. CCAEJ kills proposal.
Feb, 14, 2001- Planning Commission Hearing to hear all proposals on 9 warehouses. John Snell Jurupa Commissioner is quoted as saying, We cant just close our eyes and keep going forward with projects that keep bringing more trucks into the area.
Feb 16, 2001 -Insignia/ESG proposes 6 warehouse buildings.
March 4, 2001- Article Milking a Profit by the Press Enterprise comes out. Alan Sharp of IDI states, The right to breathe clean air is not a right...Its a luxury.
March 2001 - John Tavaglione forms Mira Loma Committee. Goal is to draft guidelines for future developments, "in three months.
2001- Tavaglione holds Townhall meeting on crowing fowl, garage door fences and code enforcement. LAST meeting the supervisor has held in the community.
April 26, 2001- Ground breaking for Glen Avon Heritage Park.>
Aug. 2001 - Tavaglione commissions CE-CERT at UCR to study Indoor-Outdoor air quality in Mira Loma.
strong>2001- CCAEJ begins investigating Wyle Labs in Norco.
Feb 2002- Preliminary Results given on CE-CERT study at Mira Loma Committee. Dr. Joseph Norbeck tells committee Open your windows because Indoor air is worse than outdoor air. Mira Loma Specific Air Quality Study by South Coast AQMD is also presented. They find that even if new trucks and low- sulfur fuel are used the mere increase in trucks will keep pollution levels where they currently are. Recommended that if we are going to put in warehousing we should at least provide a 1500 foot buffer between diesel source and sensitive land uses (i.e. homes, schools, hospitals, etc).
Aug. 2002- Major article by Press Enterprise on Industry and Environment.
Nov 2002- Air Quality workshop at Planning Commission USC, AQMD, CCAEJ, UCR gives presentations on air quality for Commissioners.
2002- Bellegrave Triangle stopped. Planning commission unanimously voted to deny the warehouse projects. County agrees to enforce 1500 foot buffer zone between warehouses and homes. More than 700 acres are saved from industrial development.
March, 2003- CCAEJ and CAREE file lawsuit on March Global Port industrial park.
May 18, 2003- CCAEJ holds Air- Water Symposium at Riverside Convention Center with more than 300 Riverside County residents. Special guest is Erin Brockovich.
September 30, 2003- Cal EPA adopts Environmental Justice Recommendations incorporating cumulative impacts, precautionary approach and vigorous public involvement.
Oct. 2003- Union Pacific expands Auto Distribution Center. County claims it cant stop it, and agrees to taking $2.2 Million in Impact fees.
Oct. 2003- CCAEJ, CAREE and March JPA settle the lawsuit. Community gets reduction in amount of land for warehouses, all warehouses will be along freeway and away from homes, restrictions on truck routes and increasing the use of cleaner fuels. In addition, we were able to get land for a police/fire department and park.
2004- IDI proposes 425 homes to be built on land previously slated for warehouses. Community proposes a buffer area of retail, commercial and service commercial as a transition between industrial and residential. CCAEJ files CEQA lawsuit.
Feb. 2004- CCAEJ joins the Environmental Justice Working Group and the California Alliance, a progressive coalition of base building organizations throughout California.
Board President - Maggie Hawkins, MPH, CHES
•Program Manager/Master of Public Health Program
•Claremont Graduate University
•School of Community & Global Health
President Elect - Nancy White
•Retired Math Teacher
•Chair, San Bernardino Community Action Partnership
•Member, San Bernardino County First Five Commission
Financial Officer - Jean Kayano
•Chief Administrator, Knotts Family Agency
•Disability Rights Legal Center, Inland Empire Program Advisory Board
Secretary - Irma Pithey
•Spanish Translator
•Moreno Valley resident
Wendy Eads
•Board Past President
•Retired Teacher
•Master Gardener
•Member, Friends of Riversides Hills
•Working to preserve open space in Riverside
Teresa Flores-Lopez
•Resident, City of San Bernardino
•Former Police Commissioner
•Former staff member of CCAEJ
Penny Newman
•Founder, Executive Director CCAEJ
Where is CCAEJ located?
- 7701 Mission Blvd.
The goal of CCAEJ is to build a strong movement for change that acknowledges the connections and is committed to challenging:
We incorporate the recognition of the interconnections among them in the primary activities of our work.
We accomplish this goal by actively seeking broad inclusiveness and collaboration with all whose lives are touched and who choose to apply their skills and interest to the issues at hand. We convene open dialogues as opportunities to bring together groups of people working on a variety of social, economic and environmental justice issues to listen, learn and share leadership. We believe that by exploring the interconnections among issues and seeking common ground for cooperative actions, we enhance the ability to create fundamental change. We honor and help to develop the leadership and expertise of each individual, especially those who have traditionally been marginalized because of race, income or age.
CCAEJ recognizes that in addition to our work locally, we must also work on a global level. Not only do we live in a global natural environment, but also a global economy, culture and social system. The corporations polluting in our communities also pollute and oppress throughout the world. Our work seeks to link struggles for justice in the United States with struggles for justice around the world.
The mission of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice is to bring people together to improve our social and natural environment. We do this by developing indigenous leadership, community organizing through strategic campaigns and building a base of community power in order to create safer, healthier, toxic free places to live, work, learn and play.
CCAEJ Vision Statement
The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) is a progressive, base-building, non-profit organization whose focus is to bring communities of people together to find opportunities for cooperation, agreement and problem solving in improving their social and natural environment. Using the lens of environmental health to achieve social change, we work within communities to develop and sustain democratically based, participatory decision-making that promotes involvement of a diverse segment of the community in ways that empower the community. We accomplish this by facilitating and providing assistance in the following areas:
CCAEJ's work is grounded in place. We recognize that communities are not simply groupings of buildings filled with consumers, customers, or clients whose behavior is studied, managed and manipulated by powerful outside forces. Communities are families, neighbors, and individuals, who recognize the necessity of sharing power and sharing responsibility. Their voice brings perspective to the public debate of those most directly affected in ways that can refocus attention to the most urgent needs of our families, neighbors and fellow residents and can breathe new compassion, creativity, and responsibility into the public debate and decision.
