Pacoima Beautiful’s programs engage community members who will be informed,involved and sufficiently empowered to be able to challenge the impact of the toxics in the community. Broadly,our work is divided into the following areas:
- Prevention and Reduction
- Revitalization
- Youth Environmentalists
Prevention and Reduction –Working to Reduce Exposure to Indoor and Environmental Pollutants
From 1997 to 2005,between 20 and 30 residents a year participated in six month trainings to learn how to inspect their neighborhoods,document environmental health hazards and how to support their neighbors in reducing and preventing those hazards. Residents learned to identify environmental hazards and access resources to address those hazards,how to increase awareness of environmental health issues and become advocates for change. From 2006 through the present,the Community Inspectors Program has focused on community wide environmental issues and to date program staff has engaged more than 220 residents in workshops and presentations in order to identify and prioritize environmental concerns. Most recently this has included advocacy to reduce the impacts of diesel pollution and to promote policies to reduce/mitigate pollution and revitalize Environmental Justice communities. For more information,contact us.
Since 2002,our Safer Homes for a Healthy Community program has provide Pacoima families with information and support to reduce lead,asthma triggers,and home health hazards,including through Integrated Pest Management trainings. Since 2004 the Promotoras have reached hundreds of residents per year through presentations at schools,churches,fairs and other venues. The Safer Homes Program has been recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a model program to prevent the impact of toxics. For more information,contact Amelia or Maria. You can learn more about our program that helps connect residents with free lead abatement here. For a helpful information on how to make your own easy,safe,and cheap cleaning supplies (created by SF Environment),download English or Spanish flyers.
Revitalization - Increasing Environmental Benefits and Promoting Alternatives
In 2008,Pacoima Beautiful was awarded a PLACE grant (Policies for Livable,Active Communities and Environments) from the LA County Department of Public Health,the only organization with an LA city-based project to receive such a grant. Through this grant,we have been working with youth,community residents and experts to create a Vision Plan to revitalize the Pacoima Wash,a tributary of the LA River. The Wash holds amazing potential as an open space amenity for our community. For more information,contact us. Some current accomplishments of the Pacoima Wash Initiative include:
- Held over 20 community meetings to get input on the project with different community organizations including:parent centers,neighborhood councils,homeowner associations,and youth groups
- Held 2 large community events including a Pacoima Wash Mobile Charette where the community walked along the Pacoima Wash and gave input which over 100 people attended.
- Successfully included our vision plan for revitalizing the Sylmar portion of the Pacoima Wash into the Pacoima Community Plan.
- Received Urban Greening Grant to create a plan for implementing vegetated bio-swales along streets in Pacoima which will capture and treat storm water runoff before it enters the wash.
- Will make cosmetic improvements to a pedestrian bridge over the Pacoima Wash used by over 200 students.
- Plan to develop a 2 acre vacant lot adjacent to the wash which is currently blight into a new pocket park.
Click here to go to our page on the Pacoima Wash.
In spring of 2010,we were awarded a RENEW grant (Renew Environments for Nutrition,Exercise,and Wellness),also from the LA County Department of Public Health. This grant is part of the Center for Disease Control’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. Through this grant,we are creating a Vision Plan for Complete Streets based on community and expert input,and working with our public partner,CRA/LA,to incorporate community priorities for more pedestrian/cyclist friendly streets into their proposed Streetscape Improvement Project for the Pacoima Town Center. As part of this campaign,we also hosted a 12 session workshop series,People’s Planning School. For more information,contact Lauren,the Complete Streets Initiative Coordinator.
Youth Environmentalists –Building the Future Generation
Our Pacoima Beautiful Youth Environmentalists program (PB-YES) trains the next generation of community leaders,giving local teenagers opportunities for meaningful community involvement and promoting leadership development,civic learning and environmental awareness.
Students get involved through year-round after-school groups,Youth United Towards Environmental Protection (YUTEP),and intensive summer service-learning Institutes on topics such as “Healthy Eating,Active Living”.
YUTEP members have helped conduct surveys on key community issues and outreach to residents. Recent Institutes have drafted policy briefs,uncovered toxic contamination in a trailer park,and created open space proposals.
Most recently,YUTEP has expanded its efforts by forming high school chapters in Arleta High School,San Fernando High School,Discovery Charter,Vaughn International Studies Academy,and a middle school chapter at Maclay Middle School.
As a youth-led initiative,students plan,coordinate,and execute their own projects.
For more information,please contact Imelda,the Youth Coordinator,or Osbaldo,the Youth Organizer.