U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announces Funding Opportunity for Community Based Organizations

U.S. EPA recently has announced a request for proposals for their Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.  CARE is a unique community-based, community-driven, multimedia demonstration program designed to help communities understand and reduce risks due to toxic pollutants and environmental concerns from all sources.  The CARE grant program works with local organizations to help their communities form collaborative partnerships, develop an understanding of the many local sources of risk from toxic pollutants, and identify and carry out projects to reduce risks through collaborative action.  

National CAPACD member International District Housing Alliance (IDHA) was awarded $297,000 through the CARE program in 2007.  They used the funding for outreach campaigns and studies on issues such as waste reduction, green business practices, and vehicle anti-idling.  It was the second stage in grant funding for IDHA, allowing their member organizations and partners to build upon existing programs, pilot new efforts, and expand their outreach in the International District.

In 2008, the Pacific American Foundation, serving Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, was awarded a CARE grant to assess the impact of humans and pollutants on four area streams by gathering and consolidating existing water quality data and conducting site walks.  

To find out more information on how to apply for the CARE program, please contact Piyachat Terrell at .

2) National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Training in Los Angeles, March 2-6.

Through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Fund, NeighborWorks America will be offering courses on foreclosure mitigation and counseling during this five day event in Los Angeles.  Tuition and lodging scholarships are available directly through NeighborWorks and are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

More information on this opportunity as well as a form for scholarship applications can be found at this website.  If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Hieu Truong, Program Coordinator, at

3)  News from the Field: D.C. Chinatown Residents Organize Tenants Association

The residents of the Wah Luck House organized a Tenants’ Association and held their first meeting on January 15th.  This historic 153-unit building was built by the District government in 1982 for displaced families after a section of the historic Chinatown neighborhood was razed for the city’s Convention Center.  Since that time, ownership of the building has changed hands a number of times, sometimes even without the knowledge of the residents.

The Tenants’ Association was established after several information-sharing meetings between the Wah Luck House tenants and community partners, including the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC), D.C. Language Access Coalition, Housing Counseling Services (HCS), and the Asian Senior Center, in response to rumors of impending sale of the Wah Luck House to private developers.  

APALRC, HCS, and the Tenants’ Association have worked together to ensure that the residents know their rights, and that they have a strong organization within their building.  National CAPACD has supported the work of APALRC and the Wah Luck Tenants’ Association through ACTION, our training and technical assistance program.
 

SAVE THE DATE!

National CAPACD’s 10th Annual Convention

Celebrating a Decade of Unity: A Time of Change

June 3 – 5, 2009

Washington, DC

www.nationalcapacd.org