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May 2023 Newsletter

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SWEA News & Updates

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Message from

Our Founder & Executive Director

Welcome May!

Greetings South Ward Family,

All I can say is wow, April was a whirlwind of activities and victories. Let's start with a thank you to the Mighty South Ward for supporting our 2nd Annual Environmental Summit, Now & For the Future, Saving Lives One Block at A time. The New Jersey Landmark Environmental Justice Rules were released. President Biden signed an Executive Order on Environmental Justice. SWEA participated in a roundtable with Senator Booker, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Dr. Holmer Wilkes and White House Senior Advisor for Clean Energy and Innovation and Implementation John Podesta. The next meeting was a TCTAC roundtable discussion with EPA Administrator Michael Regan and the Region 2 partners for the EPA Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center. South Ward Environmental Alliance and Clinton Hill Community Action cosponsored a Hurricane IDA community meeting with New Jersey Resource Project to discuss funding opportunities for residents and homeowners.  Lastly, the Coalition for Healthy Ports organized an Environmental Justice Tour of the Port of Newark, East and South Wards led by the next generation of EJ leaders representing; SWEA, ICC, NJEJA and Clean Water Action.


Power to the People.

In Solidarity,

Kim Gaddy, Executive Director

SWEA 2nd Annual Summit

South Ward Environmental Alliance (SWEA) held it's 2nd Annual Environmental Summit on Saturday, April 22nd. The conference was attended by 176 participants who were served breakfast and lunch. The opening performance by NJPAC artists included the Black National Anthem and African drumming to give honor and homage to the ancestors. Congressman Donald Payne, Jr welcomed the participants via video. He highlighted his environmental priorities and support of SWEA's work in the South Ward.

Kim Gaddy, Executive  Director led the Plenary session which included remarks from EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia, NJDEP Commissioner  Shawn LaTourette and South Ward Councilman Patrick Council. Each panelists spoke on the importance of residents ensuring their voices are heard at the local, state and national level to stop the pollution impacting their quality of life.  The Air Monitoring moderator Asada Rashidi introduced panelist Vivek Ravichandran from the Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Jusitce, and Health at the University of Maryland to provide some updates on an ongoing academic-community-government partnership between SWEA, Friends of Earth, NJDEP, and EOSHI-Rutgers University in regards to the development of a hyper local air quality monitoring network in the South Ward.  Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is important to study because these particles are small enough (under 2.5 microns in diameter) to enter your bloodstream and this leads to a wide array of cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes that follow socio demographic lines such as asthma, COPD, and stroke. Another common term in the  EJ space is Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP), which consists of emissions from cars, trucks, and airplanes. In addition to air pollution, TRAP can decrease quality of life with excessive noise which can impact sleep duration and stress.


Azania Heyward-James introduced the The D.A.P.P. a culturally reflective and relevant moniker that stands for Translating Health and Environmental Community Data for Actionable Practice and Prevention  SWEA’s  newly developed  community resource and tool to deliver understandable information about the environmental justice and equity work. 


Luis Lim, Chief Bureau of Air Monitoring, NJDEP  discussed how to engage with NJDEP and their role in community monitoring. Lastly, he discussed what were lessons learned in this Hyper Local Air Monitoring project and how this project can be replicated in other EJ communities.


The last two panels focused on Reflections from United Nations Conference of Parties 27; Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Path to COP 28 and Voices from the Next Generation of EJ Leaders. Miaisha Mitchell, Dr. Amandla Shabaka-Haynes Michelle Dawkins and Azania Heyward-James discussed the lessons learned at COP 27 and how we can prepare our community for COP 28 by thinking globally and acting locally. The Voices of the Next Generation panel, Tiarra Lee, Asada Rashidi, Tolani Taylor and Chris Tandazo  discussed their respective roles and why they are engaged in the environmental justice work. The passion and commitment was evident through their discussions on topics of environmental education, air quality, climate and water justice. Newark and New Jersey look out for these future advocates who are ready to lead and fight for Environmental Justice. The conference concluded with the sounds of the Essex and Union County Marching band. Thank you for participating and looking forward to seeing you next year!


Upcoming Events:

SWEA Monthly Meeting via Zoom at 6pm on Wednesday May 24th 

CHCA Updates 

  • See Flyers below for more information  

Newark's 2nd Annual Green Fair

  • June 10th from 12pm-4pm at Military Park

NJDEP Has Released a Request for Proposals for a Facilitator Skills Development Program

Through this RFP, DEP is seeking a partner to create a Facilitator Development Program with the goal of helping DEP employees to effectively communicate complex environmental issues, solicit and interpret stakeholder feedback, and demonstrate the agency's commitment to make use of that feedback in future decision-making. Deadline to submit proposals is June 29, 2023. Questions can be submitted until June 2, and answers will be publicly posted after that date. 

Governor Murphy Announces Nation’s First Environmental Justice Rules to Reduce Pollution in Vulnerable Communities

On Monday, April 17th, Governor Phil Murphy announced the final adoption of regulations to implement New Jersey’s landmark Environmental Justice (EJ) Law. The EJ Law and implementing rules are the first in the nation aimed at reducing pollution in historically overburdened communities and communities of color that have been subjected to a disproportionately high number of environmental and public health stressors. The EJ Rules pioneer a community-first approach to planning and permitting certain pollution-generating facilities. 

NJDEP Launches Interactive Dashboard to Provide Regularly Updated Information on Water Infrastructure Investments

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection launched an interactive dashboard that provides regularly updated information to help local governments and the public track the progress of funding for much-needed drinking water and clean water infrastructure projects that are important to the health and economic vitality of the Garden State. 

Murphy Administration Launches NJ-TAP to Help Disadvantaged Communities Deliver Safe and Reliable Drinking Water

DEP Commissioner LaTourette announced the launch of NJ-TAP, an initiative providing enhanced technical assistance to help disadvantaged communities provide safe and reliable drinking water to residents.

NJ-TAP (New Jersey Technical Assistance Program) will prioritize aid to communities identified as disadvantaged or overburdened to identify lead service lines, develop asset management and capital improvement plans, and identify sources of state and federal funding to assist with important water-quality improvement projects. This aid is being provided free of charge to participating water systems. Water system representatives interested in participating in NJ-TAP should contact the NJDEP using the web form available online.

Hurricane Ida Recovery Programs Update

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has launched the Small Rental Repair Program (SRRP) as part of its storm recovery assistance programs. SRRP provides zero-interest forgivable loans to owners of rental properties with one to seven units that require repair and/or elevation as a result of damages from Hurricane Ida, as well as improvements that will make structures more resilient in future storm events. Apply for assistance and learn more on the Hurricane Ida Recovery program page.

National Action Network Convention 2023 

The National Action Network convened their annual convention in New York April 12-15, 2023 at the Sheraton New York Time Square Hotel. The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of NAN annually hosts this convention to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., who was assassinated in April of 1968, to continue to ensure his dream for social justice is realized.


SWEA was represented at this year’s convention attending the various panel discussions and forums addressing issues that are impactful to our community and nation.The highlights this year included the Keeper of the Dream banquet where Tyler Perry, Filmmaker, Producer and entrepreneur along with many other notables were honored this year. The Honorable Kamala D. Harris, Vice President, United States of America gave a plenary address. Michael Regan, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported on the environmental progress and funding that the Biden-Harris administration employed to fix the infrastructure and plans to abate environmental issues that are plaguing this country. There was an array of sessions that dealt with health, criminal justice, technology, entrepreneurial opportunities, education and other topics that were presented with key professional presenters addressing these subject matters.


SWEA Senior Advisory Board Member Highlight:

Linda Washington

This month SWEA would like to highlight another member of our Senior Advisory Board representing the Dayton Street Community. The Honorable Linda Washington, Commissioner of the Newark Housing Authority, Secretary to Essex County Advisory Council, member of the NJ Transit (CAC) and Chairwoman of the Talent Show for the South Ward Strong, brings energy, commitment and life experiences as a senior community advocate to our organization. Linda

Washington, known for extraordinary fashion presence, is also known in the Newark community for her celebrity impersonations of stars like Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner and Etta James. She mesmerizes her audiences with her beauty and entertaining performances as a senior member of the Newark community. She is truly fascinating and an inspiration.


Environmental issues that affect her community are also a cause for her advocacy for environmental justice. She is the current president of the Kretchmer Elderly Tenant Association that is located on Frelinghuysen Avenue that is in the heart of the industrial area. Ms. Washington shared that her fears of the incessant tractor-trailer and truck traffic mixed with the pedestrian traffic continues to be a major concern for her senior residents living in that area.

Her community is also burdened with noise pollution, as well as the releade of airplane fuel and the speed of commercial vehicles.


Ms. Washington sees her role to be one of continued advocacy and educating her community on identifying the problems and working with SWEA to eradicate these environmental problems.


The Coalition of Healthy Ports

EJ Tour

On April 24th, The Coalition for Healthy Ports embarked on an Environmental Justice Bus Tour. The tour was coordinated by South Ward Environmental Alliance Environmental Justice Organizer, Asada Rashidi, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance Program Manager, Dyna Anderson, Ironbound Community Corporation Environmental Justice Organizer, Chloe Desir, and Clean Water Action NJ Zero Emissions Warehouse Organizer, Tolani Taylor. 


The EJ tour traveled through the Port of Newark, the Dayton Street Neighborhood of the South Ward and Ironbound section of East Ward. The purpose of the tour was to educate and inform residents and partner organizations about the hefty amount of industrial facilities and trucks that contribute significantly to the decline in the quality of life of Newark residents. The community members that live in the South and East ward, experience a disproportionate amount of pollution on a daily basis. The polluters are literally in their backyards. These conditions would not be acceptable in more affluent neighborhoods yet populations with people of color and lower incomes are subjected to these circumstances. The EJ Tours serve as motivation to uplift these environmental injustices and strengthen the fight to cultivate healthy and vibrant neighborhoods.

IDA Community Meeting 



South Ward Environmental Alliance and Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) cosponsored the IDA Recovery community meeting with New Jersey Operating Project(NJOP) on Saturday, April 29th at the Early Childhood Center. NJOP is a community organization that has a proven track record that empowers everyday people in New Jersey to take action together to make changes that our communities need. 

They were founded almost 8 years ago in a library basement by eight Superstorm Sandy survivors who wanted to get families back in their homes.

NJOP discussed what grant programs were available to homeowners and renters of the South Ward. Homeowner Assistance and Recovery Program (HARP) deadline was May 1st and the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) deadline is June 5th. CHCA assisted the participants on site with completing their applications with the assistance of housing counselors and Department of Community Affairs representatives.

The IDA recovery meeting was attended by 100 residents who were seeking financial assistance for repair damages to their home or apartment. It's been almost two years after Hurricane Ida, both renters and homeowners are still struggling with no true recovery in sight. We are thankful for the New Jersey Organizing Project for connecting with other survivors and standing together to demand that IDA survivors get the the recovery they deserve.

April 2023 Truck Count



On April 26th and 27th, the South Ward Environmental Alliance hosted their third Truck Count and Air Monitoring Project activity in the South Ward of Newark. The goal was to highlight the extensive amount of truck traffic and diesel pollution that comes through the South Ward each day.

During the truck count days, participants counted over 4,000 medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks traveling through five intersections of the South Ward from three designated time periods of one hour.


Why is air quality monitoring essential?

Monitoring helps in assessing the level of pollution in relation to the ambient air quality standards. These standards are a regulatory measure used to set the target for pollution reduction and achieving clean air.


South Ward Truck Hotspots Monitored:

Lyons Ave + Fabyan Place

Elizabeth Ave + Meeker Ave

Frelinghuysen Ave + Meeker Ave

Frelinghuysen Ave + Empire St

Frelinghuysen Ave + Evergreen Ave

SWEA stands with our residents to fight towards a healthy Port of Newark, one that minimizes air pollution and maximizes community benefits and local jobs. Together, this initiative will engage a base of Newark residents ready to fight for a clean and healthy Port of Newark.

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