Amelia Simpson (far right) has worked as the border environmental justice campaign director and grant writer for EHC since 2002. We asked her about her 13-year-and-counting journey with the organization. This is what she had to say.

What was EHC like when you began?

I started as EHC's Border Environmental Justice Campaign director. Magdalena, now the director, was the community organizer at the time, and she did an amazing job. She organized our Tijuana Community Action Team - there were two groups at first that called themselves "los grupos de Nena [Magdalena]."

Soon after I came on, we rented a little house in Colonia Chilpancingo and turned it into a meeting space. They chose the new name Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental. Most of the same women are still active today along with many new women. Many of their daughters and sons are in the Jóvenes Pro Justicia Ambiental Youth Group organized by Aníbal.

They're the next generation of environmental justice activists in Tijuana.

What brought you to work with EHC?

I was working as a Mexico specialist with Amnesty International when I heard about EHC's opening for a director in the border region. I saw EHC as an organization that defended human rights in Mexico, like Amnesty, and I was very happy to be hired.

What do you enjoy most about working with EHC?

The most exciting thing is having the opportunity to be with the community; the opportunity to get to know people, hear their stories and work together to make changes that truly matter.

Do any milestones stand out most to you?

The campaign to clean up the American-owned Metales y Derivados maquiladora assembly plant was a tremendous achievement for the community. Not only was the neighborhood protected at last from the dumping of 42,000 tons of toxic waste, but the effort also brought together supporters from both sides of the border, including community residents and government agencies. This was an unprecedented collaboration to address a serious human rights violation.

To donate to EHC today, please click here.

As we launch a new year I want to thank you for the incredible work you do for environmental justice. EHC is an amazing team of board, staff and community leaders and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with all of you and I am inspired by you every day.

As I think about the coming year and my own new year's resolutions I'm reminded (again) of Don Miguel Ruiz's Code for Life – The Four Agreements - which seems like a good way to start the new year!

• Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
• Don't take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
• Don't make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
• Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Happy New Year!

Diane

Congratulations are in order for latest graduates of our SALTA leadership-training course. SALTA (Salud Ambiental, Líderes Tomando Acción – Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action) is a nine-session program that provides skills training on organizing, advocacy, power, and media relations. Since 1995, more than 1,500 Community Leaders have graduated from SALTA including EHC staff members Rodrigo, Tuann, Aurora, Maria Sagura and Monique.

This SALTA course is the first ever to be taught in three different languages: English, Spanish and Vietnamese. 

“Each time I facilitate a SALTA session I am amazed and inspired by the community leaders who attend. This session was no different,” says SALTA facilitator Sarah Furman. “These women and men take hours out of their lives each week to learn how to make their communities healthier and more united - something that doesn't go unnoticed by EHC staff and members. Because of these community leaders we continue to be a strong voice and force in the San Diego region, improving our communities one action at a time.”

Student and EHC staff Aurora Zabish was equally inspired, "I liked seeing that there are people in the community that care enough about their communities to participate in a training like this." 

Associate Director Leticia Ayala comments, “SALTA empowers community members by sharpening their skills as leaders and organizers. With those abilities developed, we can take action to build power and win justice in our neighborhoods so that our communities are a clean and healthy place to live, work and play.”

But SALTA is not just a leadership-training course. It is also designed to motivate community leaders to take strong and direct action for environmental justice. Ayala says, “One of SALTA’s key goals is to help all residents to see themselves as community leaders and then make a pledge to join our cause. They can use their own power and the power of their communities collectively to move and influence decision makers. After SALTA, these leaders can create the real change we all want in our neighborhoods.”

Your passion for environmental justice made Barrio Live! a wonderful event. The afternoon began with a fully packed bus and a guided tour to environmental justice sites around San Diego.

First we first stopped in National City to see where the community will get 201 affordable housing units and easy trolley access without destroying Paradise Creek and this beautiful open space.

We drove through the Port of San Diego to learn how pollution directly affects air quality and asthma rates of children in neighboring communities and how we can work together to make the Port a healthy neighbor.

We got off the bus in Cesar Chavez Park to hear Policy Advocate Kayla Race explain how low-income communities feel the most significant impacts of climate change. Kayla says, "This is about reducing pollution while creating healthy communities and a healthy economy."

The tour ended at Strozzi’s SoCal Italian with almost fifty attendees and staff enjoying appetizers, drinks and each others’ company.

David Alvarez joined the party to talk about how, with the help of EHC and dedicated community members, Barrio Logan will continue to move forward building safe and healthy neighborhoods, beginning with a Barrio Logan Community Planning Group.

Thank you to all who attended our Barrio Live! tour and mixer. We appreciate your involvement and enthusiasm in achieving climate justice and #healthyhoods for all.

View more photos of the tour on our Facebook page.

The San Diego City Council will be choosing two new City appointed members to the San Diego Port Commission today. EHC's 30 years of working with with the Port and representing our members who live in communities adjacent to the Port tidelands gives us an important perspective on these appointments. Port Commission decisions have a direct impact on the health and well-being of all residents who live near the San Diego Bay.

EHC supports appointments of Sid Voorakkara and Rafael Castellanos to the Port Commission. Mr. Voorakkara's considerable experience in job creation and public health make him uniquely qualified to ensure the Port acts consistent with community health. Mr. Castellanos' expertise in real estate transactions will be invaluable to ensure more green and sustainable business practices at the Port.

We believe San Diego Port Commissioners should have experience in green practices so that the Port grows and operates in a way that protects the health of neighboring community residents. They must have a commitment to public and worker health and safety, protecting San Diego Bay, and to making the Port a regional leader in energy policy.

Specifically, the community is looking to the Port to support projects and planning to offset negative impacts of Port operations on neighbors in Barrio Logan and passage of an effective Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan. These actions are crucial to meeting environmental and health goals of an exemplary Port. Sid and Rafael should surely be in line with these goals.

EHC opposes the appointment of Richard Vortmann based on the legacy of pollution he was responsible for as the President of NASSCO for over 20 years. During Mr. Vortmann's tenure, NASSCO fought efforts to clean up toxic sediment and fought regulation of water and air pollution from its leasehold without consideration of the impacts on the health of neighboring communities. His legacy is not one that the City Council should allow to be continued at the Port.

We’ve said time and time again, and I’m sure you’ve heard from everyone else, that this election is one of the most important elections in many years. Sure, we can all make the statement, but where are the facts?

We’ve got them right here.

EHC’s map shows the influence of our communities of color. A majority of communities south of I-8 have a majority of voters of color.

For instance, in the City of San Diego, 63% of voters of color live south of I-8, while in National City, 68% of all voters are voters of color.

These facts and our map show that if voters in our communities get out and vote on Election Day, we can be the margin of victory to pass propositions and elect a mayor that foster healthy communities. 

With that in mind, we ask you to please get out and vote and use our EHC Voter Guide to ensure your vote protects the health of your family and community. We only support state propositions that support healthy communities, clean air and environmental quality.

Our EHC staff and community members put together a message for voters out there, young and old, to encourage everyone to participate in this election. Watch, vote and tell us you voted on our Facebook Page. Show our region that the communities of color south of I-8 are the margin of victory and should be considered as some of the most powerful communities in San Diego.

El día de las elecciones es el martes, 6 de noviembre. La EHC está trabajando arduamente para que nuestras comunidades voten. Aquí están algunos consejos para ayudarle el día de las elecciones:

1. Lea acerca de las propuestas y los candidatos. La EHC tiene una Guía para Votantes, y lista las propuestas estatales que apoyamos para continuar con nuestra misión de mantener a nuestras comunidades y medio ambiente saludable.

2. Conozca su lugar de votación. Si aún no sabe cual es su lugar de votación, visite el Registro Electoral de San Diego para averiguarlo. También recuerde que los lugares de votaciones estarán abiertos de las de las 7:00 a.m. a las 8:00 p.m. Haga los arreglos necesarios para asegurarse de tener suficiente tiempo para ir a votar.

3. Asegúrese de contar con cuidado de niño y ayude a cuidar los niños de sus amistades.

4. Conozca sus derechos. Todos los votantes tienen derechos. Por ejemplo, si usted no está en la lista de votantes registrados o si alguien le pide su identificación para votar, usted tiene opciones. Antes de ir a votar, lea los derechos de los votantes del Estado de California.

5. Usted puede llevarse una muestra de la boleta con la lista de los candidatos impresos a las urnas. También puede llevarse una lista de respaldos, siempre y cuando no incluya anuncios de campañas.

6. Si necesita ayuda para votar, a usted se le permite llevar a un miembro de su familia, un amigo(a) o a su cuidador con usted en las urnas para que le ayude.

7. Si no está seguro(a) de algo que está en la boleta, pida ayuda de un empleado de las elecciones. Que no le de vergüenza pedir ayuda.

8. No se sienta apurado. Tómese su tiempo cuando entre a las urnas.

9. Prepárese para esperar en línea. Es muy probable que en algunos lugares tenga que esperar en línea para votar.

Recuerde que si tiene preguntas puede comunicarse con la EHC llamando al (619) 474-0220 o puede enviarle un correo electrónico a Franco al Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. para mayor información. Asegúrese de ir a votar y de animar a los demás para que también salgan a votar.

After digging into recent statewide polling from the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV), EHC found that more San Diego Latino voters support environmental initiatives including renewable energy and protecting the environment to create jobs than the rest of California.

Our Latino population in San Diego County is growing. That also means we have a growing number of environmentally conscious voters that can make big impacts in the upcoming election.

The statewide data show this about San Diego Latino voters:

• 94% agree that we can protect the environment and create jobs
• 82% consider themselves “conservationists”
• Over 90% support energy conservation and renewable energy
• Over 80% feel that pollution is threatening their family’s health

These results show that our communities will have an overwhelming voice in how the environment is considered at the polls this election.

We already knew this. Our Voter Empowerment team and our Community Action Teams meet and talk with community members on a regular basis. We’ve been doing this work for over 30 years. Here’s what else we know - no matter where you live, how much you make or what color your skin is, we should all care about clean air, water and energy in our neighborhoods – especially at the ballot box.

Because we know our communities care about the health of their neighborhoods and environment, every person at EHC is working around the clock to educate voters and get them out to vote. We’re making sure “environmentally friendly” is the magic word voters think about when they’re making choices on November 6.

Please make sure you get out to vote on November 6 and check out the EHC Voter Guide for info on propositions we support. Your Vote. Your Voice.

 Yesterday, former presidential candidate and Senator, George McGovern died at the age of 90. McGovern will be remembered for his compassionate values and his fight for a better quality of life for everyone.

In the midst of our current contentious election we've lost this great leader who gave his life to social justice and human rights and who said on many occasions: “I will go to my grave believing that the country would have been better off if I had been elected instead of Richard Nixon.”  It was not an immodest statement – merely factual for anyone who then lived through the continuation of the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and assaults on civil rights.   

I volunteered for the McGovern presidential campaign that year in 1972. By the time I returned home from precinct walking and poll watching on election night, it was all over. McGovern had only won in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. It was considered the worst presidential election loss in history.  But, despite the loss, an entire generation of activists was inspired to keep working for justice. This was my first time to be highly involved in a political campaign, starting my future fighting for healthy communities. 

Today we have a new generation of activists working to elect leaders, who share McGovern’s passion for justice for all people. Our current generation of young people, families, moms, dads, are all continuing to fight for some of the same things that were fought for in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Summarizing his views on many issues in his 2011 book, the last of twelve written, he said, “Be compassionate. Put government to work to help the less fortunate. End hunger. Spend more for education. Protect the environment.”

Let’s show our compassion for our neighbors and communities and work hard until November 6 on today’s campaign, 40 years after McGovern’s devastating loss. We cannot look back on this election as a lost opportunity – let’s recommit ourselves in these last days to elect candidates who will carry on his legacy.

Si se puede!

Did you know that the last day to register to vote is October 22? Or, that you don’t have to have an I.D. in order to cast your vote?

It’s very important that you know your voting rights before you go to the polls on November 6, because unfortunately, not everyone is aware of them.

It’s been said before, but this election is one of the most important in our history as a community and an environmental justice organization. EHC would like you to go to the polls feeling excited that you’re doing your part as a citizen – and comfortable knowing the rights you have as a voter. EHC is working hard to make sure that everyone who can vote does vote, because our communities are key to supporting environmental justice in San Diego.

For instance, you may not know what to do if you show up to your polling place and find that you’re not on the voter list. What are your options?

• First, ask the poll worker to check again. There are a lot of names on that list, so a quick double check is always helpful.
• Secondly, call the voter registrar to make sure that this is the correct polling location for you. This just takes a few minutes by calling 1-800-345-VOTE (8683).
• Finally, ask for a “provisional” ballot. This allows you to vote at any location, so long as you’re a registered voter.
  

Additionally, here are a few key dates you should know about before the election:

• October 22, 2012 at midnight is the last opportunity to register to vote in the November 6 election. If you haven’t registered or don’t know if you’re registered, you can do this online at www.sdvote.com.
  
• October 30, 2012 is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot, which allows you to send in your ballot through mail, if you’d rather not go to the polls.
• November 6, 2012 is election day. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. You can find your polling place at www.sdvote.com.

Check out the ACLU of San Diego’s Voter Rights Guide to follow simple instructions to help you make a difference on November 6 or download the Voter Rights Postcard.

For more in-depth information, visit the ACLU of California’s Voter Rights page.

We have a vision. We bring our voices to the polls to ensure that vision prevails, to resist oppression and to engage in the most powerful demonstration of our collective strength as communities of color.

Thank you for joining us on April 19 to celebrate our dedication to civic engagement and shifting the culture of voting at our 2018 Annual Awards Celebration: United to Vote.

We kicked off #UnitedToVote with an intimate conversation with Mustafa Santiago Ali, senior VP of the Hip Hop Caucus, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) senior advisor for environmental justice and our environmental justice champion awardee.

Mustafa spoke about the necessity for action to achieve environmental justice and the power we have when we come together. He reminisced about his young days as environmental justice was just beginning to earn attention at the national level and how the movement has grown to become more important than ever. 

"Our vote translates into power, and sometimes we forget that," he told us.

Afterward we were joined by more than 400 of our allies in the environmental justice and civic engagement movement. With our incredible keynote speaker Senator Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore and San Diego City Councilwoman Georgette Gomez, we recognized our 2018 awardees:

• Mustafa Santiago Ali - Environmental Justice Champion Award
• Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher - Spirit of Justice Award
• National City Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo-Solis - Spirit of Justice Award
• National City Councilwoman Mona Rios - Spirit of Justice Award
• California Environmental Justice Alliance - Building Power Award
• Engage San Diego - Building Power Award

Twitter buzzed with #UnitedToVote inspiration throughout the evening as our guests chronicled their favorite moments. 

It will take all of us to change the culture of voting. Thank you for helping us celebrate the trailblazers at the local, state and national level championing environmental justice and the right of all people to have a safe and healthy place to live work and play. 

See you next year!

Annual Awards Celebration
UNITED TO VOTE
Thursday, April 19, 2018 - 5:30-8:30PM at the Jacobs Center 

2018 – an election year like no other.
Let’s celebrate the power of voting and our vision of justice.

Join us and be inspired. For tickets click here. 

EVENT ATTENDEES - What to expect

Location: The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation  - 404 Euclid Ave, 92115.  

For Directions click here 

SCHEDULE

5:30PM - Outdoor reception with live music, beer from Stone Brewery, organic CA wine from Quigley Fine Wines, and a delicious meditterranean dinner (self-serve vegetarian dinner from 5:30 - 6:50PM)

7:00PM - Program begins in Celebration Hall

8:00PM - Coffee and Dessert in Celebration Hall

8:30PM - End of event

Keynote: Senator Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore-designee

Guest Speaker & Awardee: Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior VP, Hip Hop
Caucus; former EPA Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice

AWARDEES

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher - Spirit of Justice Award

National City Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo-Solis - Spirit of Justice Award

National City Councilwoman Mona Rios - Spirit of Justice Award

Mustafa Santiago Ali - Environmental Justice Champion Award

California Environmental Justice Alliance - Building Power Award

Engage San Diego -  Building Power Award

Awardee Information:  click here

Sponsorship Information: click here

For event or sponsorship questions, please email Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. 

Passion is contagious. Don't miss our 2018 Awards Celebration: United to Vote with keynote speaker Senator Toni Atkins as we recognize the following environmental and social justice leaders.

With limited seating and a history of selling out, be sure to buy your tickets today. 

Mustafa Santiago Ali: Environmental Justice Champion Award

Ali has worked to alleviate the impact of air, water and industrial pollution on vulnerable communities across the nation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 24 years. He was instrumental in developing the U.S. EPA Office of Environmental Justice and sent a strong message to the current administration upon his resignation in March 2017.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher: Spirit of Justice Award

As the first Latina in California history to chair the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the first woman and person of color elected CEO and Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, she has championed the needs of our community with state legislation that set national precedents. Her leadership has resulted in protection for children from lead in water at schools; supported women by combatting sexual assault; and fought climate change by expanding urban tree canopy. In 2017, she lead the passage of AB 805, that reforms SANDAG and enables transportation justice efforts to grow rapidly.

Councilwoman Ale Sotelo-Solis - Spirit of Justice Award

As Councilwoman of National City, her efforts have had enormous benefits, especially through her tireless work to ensure a historic Westside Specific Plan to protect both community health and business and her leadership that resulted in 201 new and affordable homes for National City residents. At the state level, her advocacy to gain adoption of California’s first environmental justice element requirement is unparalleled.

Councilwoman Mona Rios - Spirit of Justice Award

We applaud her lifetime work and to transportation justice as Councilwoman of National City. Rios’ tireless work to ensure passage of AB 805 is enabling transportation efforts to grow rapidly, particularly in transit-dependent communities. Her commitment as Vice Chair of Metropolitan Transit System is a momentous opportunity for a regional reset to transit and clean air, especially in the South Bay.

 California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA)  - Environmental Justice Champion Award

For their commitment to environmental and social justice in California has had enormous benefits to the San Diego-Tijuana border region. CEJA’s leadership is unsurpassed and has lifted the environmental justice movement to new heights to address climate change, air pollution, healthy neighborhoods, clean and accessible energy and so much more.

Engage San Diego - Building Power Award

Engage San Diego is a regional civic engagement network whose mission is to build power to win social and economic justice through integrated voter engagement and community organizing. Engage San Diego seeks to build a culture of voting and achieve equitable vote share across all demographics in San Diego County. Engage brings together local organizations with diverse issues, constituencies and organizing styles and provides them with the space and leadership for innovative and effective civic collaboration.

On October 19, EHC invites you to support community efforts preserving neighborhood character, reducing air pollution and combating displacement in Barrio Logan.

Please join us for the BarrioLive! Tour - our environmental justice tour of Barrio Logan.

Together, we'll explore the many victories and challenges in the community, including:

• The shutdown of Master Plating
• The creation of the Chicano community herb garden and mural
• The community plan update, and much more.

Can't make it to the tour? Join us at Border X Brewing from 5:30 - 7 p.m. to enjoy wine, beer and yummy vegetarian tacos for a suggested contribution of $10.

This is an intimate tour that few people get to experience. Please reserve your seat today by clicking here or contacting Giuliana at 619-773-2132 or Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

On April 20, our annual awards celebration, Leaders United for Justice, recognized the everyday advocates making our communities better places to live, work and play.

This year, we forgot the seated dinner party of the past. Instead, we treated guests to an evening of outdoor mingling, social media sharing, live music, inspiring photo displays and, most importantly, the stories of people leading our neighborhoods toward a healthier future.

Elected officials and community leaders spent the night celebrating the progress of our leadership development program, SALTA, and helping us award three icons of environmental justice.

• Keynote Speaker and Spirit of Justice Award: Dolores Huerta
  • As a civil rights activist and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, Huerta helped champion the rights of workers in agricultural fields. Her legendary work continues to empower communities to demand equality and social justice.
• Environmental Justice Champion Award: Georgette Gomez
  • San Diego City Councilwoman Georgette Gomez grew up in Barrio Logan, where environmental injustices shaped her future in advocacy. Prior to her election to City Council, Gomez served as EHC’s associate director for policy where she spearheaded the effort for a new community plan for Barrio Logan and fought for climate justice.
• Leadership Empowerment Award: Beatriz Barraza
  • Barraza was instrumental in developing the “promotora” model for peer-to-peer community health promotion, which EHC adopted for SALTA. Twenty years later, SALTA has trained more than 2,500 community members to become leaders for environmental justice in neighborhoods around the world.

Now that the lights have dimmed on a spectacular evening, we want to say thank you. Thank you to every guest who attended and shouted “sí se puede” with us in unison. Thank you to each sponsor for heartfelt dedication to growing leaders from the ground up. Thank you every person who now proudly wears "I am EJ" or "Yo Soy EJ" pins. Thank you to those who could not attend to the event, but still want to make a donation to continue this important work.

Want to relive the celebration? Us too. Visit us on Facebook to see more photos from the evening.

From our social justice awardees, our 2,500 SALTA graduates, our community members and our team at EHC – thank you and see you next year.

Irma believes, “anyone can be a leader,” even those who can’t read or write.

Irma and her fellow EHC leaders don’t put up walls around their communities – they open doors and pathways to leadership for everyone. With her infectious energy, Irma inspires her neighbors to get involved, raise their voices and make Barrio Logan a safe and healthy place for all people to live, work and play.

On April 20, please join us to honor Irma and her fellow visionaries at our awards celebration, Leaders United for Justice.

To Margarita, environmental justice means, “staying informed about what’s happening in our city,” and empowering her community to have a voice in the process. 

Margarita lives in National City, where poor air quality threatens the health of children and families. She goes door-to-door with EHC to inform her neighbors about the toxics in the air they breathe and she encourages them to demand change.

On April 20 at Leaders United for Justice, we’ll introduce you to leaders like Margarita who embody community leadership. Purchase your tickets today.

To Roddy, environmental justice means, “everybody has an equal right to clean air.”

As a City Heights resident, Roddy refuses to stand by while his neighborhood suffers from poor transportation options and air pollution. He channeled his concerns into action at EHC’s SALTA leadership-training program and has been a powerful advocate for his community since.

At our annual awards celebration, Leaders United for Justice, we’ll celebrate leaders like Roddy, who work every day to make our communities healthier places to live, work and play.

Will you join us on April 20? Click here to purchase your tickets today. 

If you attended our annual awards celebration, One People, Una Frontera, you met our very special guest speaker Sergio De La Torre, co-producer of the documentary film Maquilapolis. Since the event, we've received many inquiries about his film, which tells a compelling story and highlights important issues in border justice.

Maquilapolis resonates very strongly with us and our communities. EHC has worked in the border region on social and environmental justice issues for more than 20 years. We collaborated extensively with the Maquilapolis film crew more than ten years ago – we even had one of our Community Action Team leaders as a protagonist in the documentary: Lourdes Luján.

While the film was released ten years ago, the issues it addresses the ongoing and ultimately imporant environmental and social justice issues in our communities.

Please join us for EHC's first-ever screening of this eye-opening documentary on Wednesday, July 6, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park (2921 El Cajon Blvd, 92104). 

With only 40 seats available, reserve yours today for a suggested contribution of $8. Click here to share the event on Facebook and invite your friends, and to learn more about Maquilapolis, click here.

On April 14, our Annual Awards Celebration, One People, Una Frontera, recognized the individuals and groups that have dedicated their lives to building a healthy, unified border region.

With a room full of people passionate about cross-border environmental justice, we celebrated One People, Una Frontera and EHC's 36th Anniversary with an uplifting night of inspiration, awards and friendship.

Elected officials and community leaders alike spent the evening celebrating the progress of our Border Environmental Justice Campaign and helping us award those spearheading cross-border efforts. These heroes include:

• Spirit of Justice Award
  • These government agencies worked to confine more than 42-tons of lead-contaminated waste from a Tijuana battery plant. This award recognizes their leadership and steadfast commitment to the health and safety of our neighborhoods.
    • SEMARNAT
    • EPA Region 9
  • Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins: As the leader of the California Assembly, Speaker Atkins received a perfect score for environmental justice bills in 2015. Her own bills created seats on the California Air Resources Board for environmental justice representatives and directed new resources from penalties to be directed to impacted communities.
• Environmental Justice Champion Award 
  • From producing powerful documentaries to ensuring healthy development practices on the Alamar River, these awardees display unparalleled professional effort and commitment to equitable, balanced development in cross-border communities.
    • The Rodriguez Griswold Family
    • Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre
    • Enrique Medina
    • Ana Elena Espinoza
    • Saúl Guzmán
• Healthy Neighborhoods/Barrios Saludables Awards
  • These groups have offered opportunities for concerned Tijuana citizens to get involved in their communities. Their advocacy and organizing efforts have led to toxic site cleanups, preservation of declining natural space and a strengthened concept of environmental justice in the border region.
    • Consejo Consultivo Para el Desarrollo Sustentable
    • Tijuana Calidad de Vida
    • Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental
    • CICEA Papalotzin
    • Red de Ciudadanos para la Mejora de las Comunidades (RECIMEC)
    • Colectivo Chilpancingo
    • Jóvenes Pro Justica Ambiental
  • Neighborhood leaders: 28 adults and youth were recognized for their outstanding civic engagement in the struggle for healthy neighborhoods.

The celebration was highlighted by a video sharing the victories, challenges and vision for the future of the San Diego/Tijuana region.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors, including our presenting sponsor, Pacifica Companies, for your support and leadership in merging two cultures into one unique way of life.

To everyone who attended, contributed and volunteered to make One People, Una Frontera a success, we can’t thank you enough. Because of your dedication, we are closer than ever before to creating a region where all people can live, work and play in a healthy and safe environment.

View more photos from the event on Facebook.

Thank you, and see you next year.