The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with its main office located in Riverside, California. The Center's goal is to bring groups of people together to find opportunities for cooperation, agreement and problem solving. We work with community groups in developing and sustaining democratically based, participatory organizations that promote involvement of a diverse segment of the community in ways that empower. We accomplish this by facilitating and providing assistance in the following areas:
Partnerships are the cornerstone of the organization. The Center creates partnerships with organizations that are working on issues related to environmental justice, social justice and economic development. The partnerships are created to broaden agendas and effectively disseminate resources. The goal of the Center is to build a strong movement for change that recognizes the connections between environmental and worker exploitation, and oppression on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation and class, and incorporates that connection in the primary activities of the Center. We accomplish this goal by actively seeking opportunities to bring together groups of people working on a variety of social, economic and environmental justice issues. We believe that by exploring the interconnections among issues and seeking common ground for cooperative actions, we enhance the ability to create fundamental change. The Center 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 in the Third World. President: Surekha Acharya is a resident of Riverside and passionately committed to a healthier, toxic-free environment. Professionally, Surekha is an associate professor of English at Riverside Community College and also holds a doctorate in anthropology from the University of California, Riverside. Additionally, Surekha is trained in research, media and public education with a master’s degree in broadcast communication. As a mother and community member, Surekha strives towards creating a safer environment for her children and the community, and has a strong conviction to, as Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see.” President-Elect: Maggie Hawkins has 20-years experience as an activist, educator, trainer and program administrator with various civil rights, health and education organizations in the Inland area including Healthy Families Children's Health Insurance, Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center at the University of California, Riverside. She is currently does project coordination for the Partnership for Health Program at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, a national program that works with HIV medical providers and clinics. She has a degree in Communication Studies from CSU San Bernardino, a Masters of Public Health from the USC and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Secretary: Karen Bradford is a writer and photographer who has been public relations manager for the largest newspaper in Riverside County, The Press-Enterprise. She is now the public relations manager for the University of California, Riverside. Karen has been a long-time community volunteer and leader, especially in women’s issues serving on the County’s Commission on the Status of Women. Karen participates on the Community Awareness and Monitoring Project (CAMP) and on our Fundraising Committee. Financial Officer: Nancy White is a Resource Teacher in the Redlands School District. Nancy was born in China and continues her international perspective by traveling to far off places around the world. Nancy is a longtime political activist recently finishing her term as Chair of the San Bernardino Central Committee for the Democratic Party. Nancy serves on the Safe Schools Project and on the Personnel Committee. Parliamentarian: Deenaz Coachbuilder is a retired principal of an alternative education school for developmentally delayed students and students with social and behavioral challenges, and an adjunct professor at California State University, San Bernardino. A native of India, she holds a dotorate degree from Bringham Young University, an M.S. from Utah State, an M.A from Bombay University, and is a Language-Speech Pathologist. Deenaz is a published poet, an artist specializing in oils, a current and past board member of several community and educational orgaizations, and a wife and mother who is passionately concerned about her environment. Renae Bryant is a 5th grade teacher in the Corona-Norco School District. Renae was instrumental in developing a comprehensive recycling and environmental program run by students in the San Bernardino School District. Recently she was given the teacher of the year award by her school district. Renae serves on CCAEJ's Safe Schools Project and on the Events Committee. Renae is a rock musician and publishes a feminist Rock music "fan-zine". Kim Carter Wendy Eads Cynthia Lopez-Elwell is a wife and a mother of three children, Kenneth, Madeline and Eric. She has worked as a school administrator and teacher of preschool, elementary and graduate students. As a researcher, writer and professional educator, her interests include educational policy reform, community and individual social capital and the nexus between high quality learning communities and quality of life issues in the public sphere. Her recent study, Educational Reform and Mandated Curriculum: A study of the initial implementation of No Child Left Behind and its impact on teachers, was prompted by her latest classroom experiences and those of colleagues. ADVISORY COMMITTEE Leannah Bradley Patricia Byrd, MPH Catherine Barrett-Fischer Terry Lopez Patricia Prickett Anna Riviere Linda Spinney Penny Newman is the Executive Director for the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ), a non-profit organization working on environmental justice issues. The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice is one of the oldest and most accomplished environmental justice/health organizations in the nation. CCAEJ’s believes the key to effectively solving community problems lies in bringing the diverse segments of the community together in democratically based, participatory organizations and networks in ways that empower. Penny Newman has gained wide recognition for her work on Environmental Justice issues with the emergence of toxic waste sites in the early 80’s. Her activities at the Stringfellow Acid Pits, California’s top priority Superfund site, led to extensive public policy changes on the state and federal level. Penny’s primary expertise on public participation methods and community organizing has made her a highly sought speaker on environmental health and justice issues. Penny’s received an Associate of Arts Degree (with Great Distinction) from Riverside City College (now Riverside Community College) in 1979, and a BA Degree (with Honors) from the California State University at Fullerton, majoring in Communicative Disorders in 1981; and has graduate work towards a Masters Degree in Speech and Language Pathology with an emphasis in neuropathology. Penny worked as an Instructional Aide for the Jurupa Unified School District and then a Substitute Teacher for the district as she was completing her university work. Upon graduation, Penny took a position as a Special Education Teacher for Riverside County Superintendent of Schools teaching Severe Disorder of language (SDL) class at Jurupa Jr. High School. Penny is a 39-year resident in the community of Glen Avon, California, living with her husband, Jan-- a retired Fire Chief, with the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection. They have two sons- Eric (age, 37, owner of Kustom City Design Works, providing signs/banners and auto aftermarket products, and designing custom cars, hot rods and custom motorcycles); and Shawn (age, 34, Firefighter Engineer with CDF/Riverside County Fire Dept.) Shawn and his wife Cindy have two children - Ashley, 14 and Logan 10. Jan and Penny’s hobbies include traveling and classic cars-- owning a red, 1956 Chevy pro street race car. Ms. Newman has written several guidebooks and articles on organizing and pollution issues and is widely published in numerous journals and periodicals. The most recent publications include the following:
Ms. Newman is also featured in many books on environmental justice, the most recent being:
AWARDS:
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Presentations:
 Front row, from l to r: Claudia Mendez, Rachel Lopez, Cindy Newman, Betty Stinson, Josie Gaytan, Penny Newman (Gwyneth, the dog), Tom Orth, Simon Washburn.
Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) |