The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the allocation of a half-million-dollar grant to the South Bronx organization We Stay/Nos Quedamos. This funding, provided under the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement Program (EJ CPS), is aimed at supporting a climate resilience and emergency preparedness project in the area.
The project, titled "Climate Justice, Community Resilience, and Emergency Preparedness Curricula for South Bronx Youth and Adults," will equip local residents with skills to address climate change impacts such as flooding, blackouts, and urban heat islands. The grant will also support infrastructure improvements at three public sites, transforming them into climate resiliency hubs equipped with solar panels, wireless charging stations, water catchment systems, and other amenities. These hubs are intended to serve as refuges during emergencies and climate-related events.
“As we combat extreme heat and other climate issues, EPA is happy to support organizations like Nos Quedamos leading the way towards sustainable, healthier communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This grant, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act will help support climate resilience efforts in communities such as the South Bronx in a very real way.”
"We Stay/Nos Quedamos is excited to receive the EJ CPS grant from the EPA," said Nos Quedamos’ Basil Alsubee. “Our curriculum is produced through a joint collaboration with the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance and the City University of New York.” The curriculum includes field trips, movie screenings, board games, mapping activities on GIS, and other interactive learning tools aimed at preparing youth to be community organizers and planners.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand emphasized the importance of such initiatives: “EPA’s EJ CPS program is vital to advancing environmental justice.” She expressed her enthusiasm about Nos Quedamos receiving this federal funding that aims to enhance climate resilience in the South Bronx.
U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) commended Nos Quedamos for their work: “It is my honor to stand with Nos Quedamos and their critical work of fostering resilience.” He highlighted his commitment to working with federal agencies to provide more opportunities for grassroots environmental organizations.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar applauded federal efforts: “I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration...for their continued commitment and investments.”
The EJ CPS program offers financial assistance to organizations addressing local environmental or public health issues. It builds on President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 by creating funds specifically for small nonprofit organizations that may not have previously applied for federal funding.
Nos Quedamos was among five New York City-based community organizations selected for EJ CPS grants last year totaling nearly $1.8 million.
Since its inception under President Biden's administration in August 2022 with Congress passing the Inflation Reduction Act into law, achieving environmental justice has been a priority. The act allocated $3 billion for grants and technical assistance aimed at advancing environmental justice across various communities.
For more information about EPA Region 2 initiatives or updates on this program can be followed on their official social media channels or website.
