Dear Friends, Partners, and Community,

My name is Mamudou Kuyateh, a Rooted in Vibrant Communities (RVC) fellow placed at Duwamish River Community Coalition. I am proud and delighted to be at DRCC and super grateful for all the support from staff and community members alike. There is no better organization to be placed as RVC fellow than DRCC. Currently at DRCC, we are on the verge of launching a cohort of 10 community members  for Duwamish Valley  Climate Resilience Cohort 2022-2023 . This 6 month long project will give cohort members the opportunity to build connections and become acquainted with one another while also getting a better understanding of climate change resilience, adaptation, and testimony giving. We invite you to visit our website and  take advantage of this opportunity. Please click on the link below for all the information.   https://tinyurl.com/drccclimatecohort

Our team  has had a really exciting and busy month in August, yet September is here and full of many more events happening. We started off this new school year by contributing to a community backpack giveaway.  In our effort to keep the Duwamish River clean and healthy for the community, we invite you to join us in the upcoming  round table meeting to discuss the future plans for river clean up this month. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming events and we appreciate the trust that our community members and partners place in us. We work hard to exceed  expectations at all times.

Sincerely,

Mamudou Kuyateh.

Table of Content

1. DRCC Program Updates

2. Community Highlights

3. Upcoming Events

1.DRCC PROGRAM UPDATES

Superfund

Climate Justice

Dear Community!

We are so excited to reach out  to you about a new participatory program opportunity!

Open now: Apply to the Duwamish Valley Climate Resilience Cohort starting this fall, hosted by DRCC.

Submit your interest by September 23, 2022 by applying to the interest form here:

About the Duwamish Valley Climate Resilience Cohort

Participants in the cohort will receive a $150 monthly stipend for 6 months (October 2022 - March 2023) for participating in the opportunity to learn from peers, guest speakers, be involved in community participatory advocacy workshops, connect with decision makers and lead a personal project related to climate resilience that will inspire ways to act and reduce the impact of climate change in the Duwamish Valley.

The Climate Resilience Cohort Program seeks to

provide a wide range of exploration and insight on ways to prepare and engage in public comment as well as decision making related to climate resilience. Cohort members will receive a certificate upon completing the 6 months of programming.

This is the first cohort with 10 spaces open including in-language focus groups.

Interest Form due September 23, 2022 followed by interviews and  then an invitation to join the cohort October 4, 2022.

More program information including application details and program overview:

Health Equity

The months of August and September are well known in our areas to bring in wildfire smoke and related health impacts due to lasting hot temperatures, drier summers, and the impacts of climate change. 

Wildfire smoke carries the same health risks as wood smoke, except there can be a lot more of it. Smoke is full of small particles, which can be especially dangerous for sensitive groups — infants, children, and people over 65, or those who are pregnant, have heart or lung diseases (such as asthma or COPD), respiratory infections, diabetes, stroke survivors, or are suffering from COVID-19.

It is so important to be prepared and ready to protect yourself and your family from wildfire smoke before the smoke hits. Below are a few ways to take care of yourself and loved ones throughout smoke days:

• When the air looks and smells smoky, it may not be the best time for outdoor activities. Limit vigorous physical activity when the air quality is poor. This includes running, biking, physical labor, and sports.

• Know where the nearest “cooling center” is located. Cooling centers, such as libraries or community centers, can be a good place to avoid smoky air.

• If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, make sure you have an inhaler or other medications that you might need. Make an asthma management plan with your healthcare provider.

• Set up a do-it-yourself "filter-fans.” A box fan with an attached filter provides an easy and more affordable way to clean the air inside of your home.

More resources: 

1. Air quality near you: https://secure.pscleanair.org/AirQuality/NetworkMap

2. https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health/toxins-air-quality/wildfire-smoke.aspx

Duwamish Valley Youth Corps

DVYC is starting a new Cohort Sept 8th!   Do you know any local Duwamish Valley youth  ages 13- 19 interested in Climate and Environmental Justice ?  Please contact carmen@drcc.org 

2. COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE WILL REOPEN!!!

We are so pleased to hear the news that the West Seattle Bridge will reopen on Sunday, September 18. Our communities of South Park and Georgetown (along with Highland Park) have borne the weight of thousands of extra commuters daily since the Bridge was shut down in 2019. These extra cars have driven our air quality baselines even lower, as well as made our walking and biking routes less safe. We look forward to a return to earlier traffic levels and less crowded streets. Both the Georgetown Community Council and the South Park Neighborhood Association are partnering with Seattle Department of Transportation to host celebrations following the opening; you are invited to attend both parties! GCC’s party info is to be posted, while SPNA’s party is on Saturday, Sept 24 at El Rio event space (836 S Kenyon St 98108) from 2-5 pm. Both events are free to everyone!

BACK TO SCHOOL! - Wishing the best to our local youth and Children

We wanted to take this opportunity to wish our students a very successful school year. Looking forward to continue working with you caring and loving our community! 

We were very grateful that together with our partners we were able to provide more than 350 backpacks and school supplies to our local youth and children!

3. UPCOMING EVENTS

Beer and Chocolate coming up:  

Don’t forget to come and enjoy together in community!

Space is limited- Please Register here  https://m.bpt.me/event/5547691 

You can’t come but still would like to donate? 

Save the Date:

• September 22 - Beer and Chocolate Fest

• October 1- Cleanup events: Georgetown & South Park

• October 15 - Duwamish Alive

• November 19th- Environmental and Climate Justice Youth Forum - South  Park 

• Community engagement events:

  • El Mercadito 09/20/22, 10/18/22, 11/22/22, 12/20/22,

  • South Park Food Bank: 9/22, 10/27, 11/22, 12/20