As we observe Black History Month, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.(among countless Black American leaders), whose vision of justice, equality, and unity continues to guide our work today. His leadership and teachings remind us of the power of collective action and the responsibility we share to keep pushing for equity, even in the face of deep challenges.

This moment also calls our attention to the ongoing work needed to achieve justice for those who have been left behind. In today’s political climate, immigrants and other marginalized communities continue to face barriers to safety, opportunity, and stability, and many are feeling the weight of uncertainty and loss.

We want to pause and check in with our community and ask: Are you okay? So much has happened recently, and many people are grieving. We are horrified. We are angry. We are not okay and it’s important to name that.

We also know the environmental justice movement is built on resilience and on our ability to transform adversity into growth and collective care. Dr. King reminded us, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” That hope sustains us as we continue to show up for one another. 

Along with the hope, February also brings Valentine’s Day that reminds us of the power of infinite love for our communities, for one another, and for the future we are fighting to protect. The Lunar New Year also invites renewal and fresh beginnings, reminding us that every act of care, every raised voice, and every step forward helps build stronger, more resilient communities.  Check with your neighbors, your elders, the youth and those who are not always vocal. 

With hope, love, and renewal, we rise together. 

In community, 

Paulina López

Executive Director

Clean Air

NEW REPORT FINDS THAT SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR DISPROPORTIONATELY EXPOSED TO HARMFUL FREIGHT TRUCK EMISSIONS

READ! A new report released about Seattle drayage truck emissions WITH an environmental justice analysis (first time). The analysis found a racial disparity in levels of NOx emissions from drayage trucks. Results also show that idling is a major contributor of drayage pollution, particularly in neighborhoods affected by multiple health inequities.

Based on these findings and aligned with our work and approaches, we must 1) transition to zero-emission trucks and 2) target idling reduction in overburdened neighborhoods. 

ASH GROVE UPDATE & PUBLIC COMMENTING RESOURCES!

DAISY TEAM

Do you know what the Community Advocacy Team (CAT) is? This is a community-engaged research group that prioritizes engaging and empowering local youth and other community members of color.  The CAT is part of our DAISY Program that aims at reducing high rates of childhood asthma in the Duwamish Valley.

Climate Policy 

COMMENT PERIOD ALERT: Request public access to our River after cleaning up Terminal 25!

Terminal 25 (T-25) South is on the southeast bank of the East Waterway at 2917 East Marginal Way South. The EPA’s cleanup plan includes habitat restoration but does not plan to allow ANY public access. DRCC will be submitting comments, and you can too! Email region10@epa.gov to express your thoughts on the plan. 

LISTEN TO OUR SR. CLIMATE AND EVIRONMENTAL POLICY ANALYST, YAYA!

Why airport communities deserve clean air and reduced noise on our website!

Duwamish Valley Youth Corps 

Our winter cohort is off to an incredible start! Every year we look forward to participating in the annual MLK Youth March & Rally, hosted by Seattle Parks & Recreation. Although the cold was biting, the sun was warm and shining as we gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. We brought every student from across our various programs to participate in this significant event in the hopes that they recognize the power of their voice in unity with others. Our students participated in chants, marching and holding signs calling attention to the significance of Dr.King’s message of collective action fighting for the better world that we know is possible. We heard an incredible, powerful, inspirational and moving speech by Michelle Lang-Raymond, owner of local coffee shop The Scene! She reminded us that there is no better time than now to fight for the future we want to live in. From the park we marched to the Rainier Community Center and shared a fabulous meal catered by Wally’s NW Soul. If you’re ever craving some mouth watering soul food, go support this wonderful restaurant! We continue to be inspired by the amazing youth we are so privileged to work with every single day.

Advocacy and Community Resilience

Our Advocacy and Community Resilience Manager continues to explore best practices to support economic justice and resilience for Duwamish Valley community members. We know that there are hundreds of thousands of jobs in the Valley and the Port/Maritime industry, and that only two percent of residents are employed locally. We believe that a series of pathways, including building relationships with local employers, connecting neighbors with training and opportunities and supporting events like job fairs and career navigation events will increase anti-displacement and help folks to thrive in place.

For over a year, we have joined Seattle Public Utitiles (SPU) and Lake City Collective (LCC) in a cohort facilitated by the US Water Alliance tasked with developing a water workforce pilot program. We are very close to launching our pilot: an 8 week job training and career exploration program in partnership with Seattle Jobs Initiative. LCC and Duwamish Valley Youth Corps will engage 5 young people from our respective communities, with the goal of moving 100% of them on to the next steps towards a career at SPU.

We have worked very hard to develop this pilot, in hopes of serving the diverse needs of LCC, DRCC, and SPU. We know that drawing our BIPOC, immigrant, and low-income youth into these well-compensated careers can be challenging but we strongly believe that is one of the root causes of issues like lack of generational wealth and displacement. Providing a pathway for folks from communities suffering from legacy and ongoing pollution and other acts of disinvestment are a core tenet of restorative justice for  the effects of social disenfranchisement.