WASS Selected as Regional Convener for Grantwriting Assistance

WE ACT for Environmental Justice has launched the EPA Region 2 Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC), serving New York, New Jersey, and 8 Indian Nations, and Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS) has been chosen as one of its Community Voices participants! As one of the designated TCTAC Community Voices, WASS will help Westchester County Environmental Justice communities access grant and funding opportunities to advance and address environmental, climate, and energy justice issues. We are focusing our outreach efforts in Peekskill, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Port Chester, and the other Community Voices participants will be offering their services throughout New York and New Jersey.

WASS and WE ACT will offer training and support with connecting communities to technical assistance (TA) to build capacity for navigating grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals, effectively managing grants, and engaging in environmental and energy justice decision-making. By focusing on smaller regional organizations like WASS, the TCTAC program amplifies the voices of underserved people by engaging with them personally and directly to understand their needs and keep open communication, then connecting them with the powerful support of the EPA.

WASS will be providing outreach to local community organizations that work on environmental, climate, and energy justice issues to provide the resources and TA they need to apply for grants. Amplifying community voices at the grassroots level is a crucial component of addressing these issues, and the TCTAC program aims to meet these community needs directly. Outreach efforts will specifically focus on community-based organizations and municipalities in the EJ communities of Peekskill, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, Port Chester, and New Rochelle. Our audience includes nonprofits, community-based and grassroots organizations, underserved communities and organizations, educational institutions, and local governmental units.

The news was welcomed by the City of Peekskill, who said, “Over the last few years, WASS has helped steer Peekskill’s Government Operations Climate Action Plan and Climate Vulnerability Assessment toward achievable measures that will bring the greatest benefit to those in the greatest need. Now Peekskill, like our neighboring town, is poised to benefit from technical assistance through WASS and WE ACT to implement those measures. We are pleased that WASS and WE ACT will help bring more resources to Peekskill.”

The environmental advocacy organization Peekskill100 remarked, “Peekskill100/CURE100 congratulates the Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS) on being chosen to partner with WE ACT in the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) program. The City of Peekskill depends upon grants to move vital green initiatives forward, including climate change mitigation and extreme weather response planning. Not only will this resource help us to access economic benefits, it has the potential to improve health and save lives in our community, as it will in other Environmental Justice communities in Westchester.”

“Most grants are competitive, meaning EJ communities which are often undersourced, understaffed, and overburdened can’t compete with wealthier communities. Our goal is to level the playing field and prioritize EJ communities by getting them the resources they need to be competitive so they can bring in funding to address their needs,” said Courtney M. Williams, PhD, founder of WASS and a Peekskill resident.

WASS will work with WE ACT to deliver one in-person training based on our communities’ needs. In addition, Community Voices participants will play a crucial role in connecting our community to the full array of resources and technical support provided by the WE ACT TCTAC, joining a network of environmental justice organizations to achieve movement-building goals throughout New York and New Jersey. Sarah Salem, Director of Community Engagement for the WE ACT TCTAC, said, “We are excited to be working with the Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS), one of the leading voices for environmental justice in Westchester County, to connect local communities to a full array of resources and technical support provided by the WE ACT TCTAC. WASS will also help us determine regional environmental, climate, and energy justice priorities.”

Organizations from around Westchester are eager to take advantage of this opportunity.
“As the Director of Sustainability for a majority-minority city, I am proud to see the launch of the EPA Region 2 Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) and the selection of the Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS) as a Community Voices participant. This partnership provides an incredible opportunity for Environmental Justice communities in our region, including Mount Vernon, to gain the tools and support needed to access critical funding for environmental, climate, and energy justice initiatives. Historically, these communities have been left behind, often facing greater environmental burdens with fewer resources. Through this collaboration with WE ACT and WASS, we are changing that narrative. By building local capacity, engaging our residents directly, and ensuring their voices are heard, we can finally level the playing field, address long-standing inequities, and make meaningful strides toward a more just and sustainable future for all." Shayne M. Brooks, Director of Sustainability, City of Mount Vernon, NY

“This is an invaluable opportunity to address historical issues that have not been prioritized by our regional representation in government. A partnership with WE ACT, an organization with ties to the White House and was founded through organizing community power against the impact of the North River Sewage Treatment Plant, will help us build authentic community power to be taken seriously.” Paul Presendieu, Co-Founder of WASS, New Rochelle Ecology & Natural Resources Advisory Committee Chair

“We look forward to working with WASS on this initiative. They will make a powerful contribution towards making sure the grassroots and the frontlines get their fair share of funding to combat environmental injustice and the climate crisis.” Raya Salter, Founder of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center

“The Beczak Environmental Education Center, a volunteer group in Yonkers, stands with WASS and other environmental community groups in Westchester. It is hard to believe the environmental and health challenges in our own communities. We share one of the richest counties anywhere, and we ourselves live and work in communities that are challenged in so many ways by pollution and environmental peril. We are also called to clean the Hudson River, which is our backyard, and to provide a safe and affordable home to our families and neighbors. Given the challenges to funding and grants, we at Beczak are thrilled by the support and opportunities provided by the Flourishing in Community team, including TCTAC and WASS, and plan to work together, for the next generation as well as ourselves.” Robert Morrow, Beczak Environmental Education Center, Yonkers, NY

Organizations and municipalities can contact the WE ACT TCTAC if they need support in the following areas:

• Navigating and applying to grants
• Community organizing and engaging with decision makers
• Building partnerships and connecting EJ groups with academic partners
• EJ policy and regulatory analysis
• Energy justice and energy projects
• Environmental and climate justice projects
• EJ needs assessments
• Post grants management

WASS will dedicate their February 2025 Zero Waste Task Force meeting to seeking input from Peekskill, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, Port Chester, and New Rochelle community members. Those interested in providing input or learning more about the TCTAC effort in Westchester can request more info here. Visit the WE ACT TCTAC website to view upcoming training and funding opportunities. Sign up here for an email newsletter to stay informed about the WE ACT TCTAC's services.

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