Environmental justice (EJ) is...

“I believe that ACE accomplishes a lot and is effectivein organizing people who wouldn't necessarily have avoice otherwise ... ACE sets out to bring authenticopportunity and voice to communities that are oftenmarginalized.”

-Meira Soloff, ACE Member

“I like REEP’s toxic tours because we take peoplearound Dudley and show them what affects ourcommunity. We can fight for our rights and makeall neighborhoods equal.”

-Ricardo Arias, ACE and REEP Member

“Environmental justice is a holistic movement, definingthe environment broadly so it includes people and asocial justice analysis. ACE makes these connections,engaging and supporting people in the work, offering

real potential for transformation.”-Trina Jackson, ACE Board Member

2181 Washington Street, Suite 301 Roxbury, MA 02119 USATel (617) 442-3343 Fax (617) 442-2425 www.ace-ej.org info@ace-ej.org

ACE builds the power of communities of color and lower income communities in New England to eradi-cate environmental racism and classism and achieve environmental justice. We believe that everyonehas the right to a healthy environment and to be decision-makers in issues affecting our communities.

Our mission

building power for

2008 Annual Report

environmental justice

As many of you know, I am transitioning from ACE at the end ofFebruary 2009 to start a full-time faculty position at the Tufts Urban

and Environmental Policy Program. As I leave ACE after 13 years, Imust thank the extended ACE family for your support and hard work.

It has truly been a privilege to serve as Executive Director. Like all ofyou, I joined ACE because of our mission to build power from the ground up

to ensure environmental justice for all.

During my time, together we transformed ACE into a membership organization with over600 members and more than 30 members in core leadership roles. We have a talentedand committed staff with combined experience at ACE of almost 70 years. Thanks to dedi-cated supporters like you, ACE has a strong base of funding and is well recognized acrossthe country as a model for community-driven environmental justice work.

I now have the honor of passing the torch to Kalila Barnett. Many of you know Kalilabecause she's been on ACE's board for the last five years, most recently serving as Vice-Chair. Born and raised in Roxbury, Kalila has extensive organizing experience, from com-munity development and affordable housing to green jobs campaigning.

Please join me in welcoming Kalila as we embark on a bold new strategic vision put forthby our board, staff and members. ACE is part of a larger movement building a green andequitable economy, uniting with our partners to build a progressive power base that canmove public policy and resources.

I look forward to continue working towards this vision as an ACE member. I am confidentthat Kalila brings the passion, commitment and experience necessary to keep us all mov-ing together. It is with enduring gratitude that I thank you all for making my timeat ACE so rich and meaningful.

Sincerely,

Penn Loh, Outgoing Executive Director

I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to work at ACE asthe Executive Director. As a member I have been able to spendthe past five years getting to know the organization, the programs,staff and leaders. ACE is truly one of the premier organizing groupsin the city of Boston and I am proud to be counted in our numbers.

ACE has never been an organization to shy away from a challenge and nowis no exception! Our vision for the next few years includes continuing to strengthen ourmembership base through more intensive leadership development with our core leaders,incorporating our analysis of economic and climate justice into our day-to-day work andgrowing ACE's presence in Dudley Square.

We are all partners in the fight for environmental justice. I am eager to carry on ACE's mis-sion alongside you.

Sincerely,

Kalila Barnett, Incoming Executive Director

Dear Members,

From left: Penn and Kalila.

22

REVENUES

FoundationsGovernmentContractsEventsMajor DonorsMembership DuesOther ContributionsWorkplace GivingIn-Kind SupportFeesInterestUnrealized Gain/LossMiscellaneousCollaborative Grants/Contracts

Total Revenues:

EXPENSES

SalariesInternsPayroll TaxesHealth InsuranceTransit BenefitRetirement BenefitConsultantsPayroll ServiceRentPostage & DeliveryTelecommunicationsPrinting & CopyingSuppliesTravel & TransportationMembership/Dues/DonationsStaff DevelopmentPublications/LibraryInsuranceUtilitiesIn-Kind ExpensesEventsMiscellaneousGrant SubcontractorsUncollectable PledgesDepreciation

Total Expenses

Net Balance:

Actual at 6/30/08

$596,487$35,151$57,572$22,351$96,619$14,625$5,507$4,423$25,030$7,624$37,806$10,280$22$55,864

$1,021,810

Actual at 6/30/08

$570,291$52,178$43,380$68,816$6,126$26,986$30,726$2,386$60,530$6,526$5,587$15,479$12,053$10,615$4,809$479$2,425$8,540$12,839$355$28,382$403$69,024$750$2,882

$1,042,566

($20,756)

Financial statementsFiscal year 7/1/07-6/30/08 (audited)

From top: Board members prepare lunch fora member retreat, game nights are alwaysmore fun with hats, interns and volunteersat Jammin’, members dancing up a storm,and Halloween at ACE.

ACE sends a big thank youto our wonderful volunteer photogra-phers whose work we are proud toshare in this report. Props to LeighHall, Max Margolis, StephPlourde-Simard and our manyother helpful shutterbugs.

2233

MEJAN VolunteersBethany A. Bartlett, Esq.Walter Boldys, Esq.Jonathan Book, Esq.Sam Butcher, LSPJonathan Cosco, Esq.Jerome Cura, PhD, LSPChris Davis, Esq.Kathryn Fogarty, LSPGary Gill-Austern, Esq.

Jeanine L.G. Grachuk, Esq.Sheryl Howard, Esq.Stacey M. Lantagne, Esq.Luke Legere, Esq.Martin Levin, Esq.Randy Lewis, ArchitectJoel Loitherstein, LSPGregor McGregor, Esq.Michael O’Neil, Esq.Kevin Pechulis, Esq.Ian Phillips, LSPPhilip P. Posner, Esq.Dylan Sanders, Esq.Tima SensenigEmily J. Smith, Esq.Neil T. Smith Esq.Jennifer L. Sullivan, Esq.Delcy Sweet-Huber, Esq.Trang X. TranKerry Tull, LSPJamie Vallee, LSPColin Van Dyke, Esq.Donald Vaughan, Esq.Sidra Vitale, Esq.Douglas Wilkins, Esq.Al Zabin, Esq.

Table of contents

10-13 Youth leadershipRoxburyEnvironmentalEmpowermentProject (REEP)

4 EJ VisionLooking to

the future

22-23 Behind the scenesFinancial statementsand the ACE family

Board ofDirectorsKalila BarnettYee Won ChongLisa Sadika EdwardsGary Gill-AusternDaniel GoodenoughTJ HellmannTrina JacksonRuss LopezNeal-Dra OsgoodDanah TenchRobert TerrellTina Wu

StaffEugene B. BensonDave JenkinsCelina LeePenn LohRené MardonesLee MatsuedaBrandon McDowellMaggie MercedDavid NoilesMarléna RoseKhalida SmallsMarina SpitkovskayaJodi Sugerman-BrozanHolly Unger

REEP YouthOrganizersRonnell AlmondRicardo AriasCherelle BallShameka Blake-JohnsonRonneshia BoldenMishon Browne*Edwin CarrasquilloJohn CollinsJalelle CosgroveMonique CropperTineshia Cureton

Who’s at ACE

Handel DixonCharles Anthony DowellDashawn DowellJazmyn FairhurstBryant HuffTavon JacobsAaron JohnsonAndreya JonesDavel JubaTrevain Keene

Whitney LopezRoy MolinaCarlos Moreno*Raymond MorenoKadian RichardsonBrianna RoseAdriana SnowAnike Staples-MartinShineekqua Walker*Alumni leaders

InternsSamantha BentonBrian BrotmanJohn CaterCindy ChangStacy ColemanCathy ChuChris Del VecchioSadie FergusonAmara FosterMeredith GrayJeremy HansonAndrew KiritsyAmy LeeHannah LeoneMeghna MarjadiMichelle McGruder

Jubilee MenziesTatianna MontanezAbby MorseKathleen O'BrienLennine PerkinsNaomi SpectorBecky SnidermanMike SnyderAnson StewartElijah Stuart

Peter Zalzal

VolunteersAdia BeyAileen BonillaAdam BuggiaAndrew CohenHarris CookseyKatie HarrisJim KeaneLauren LandrySeth LeibsonZazil MardonesMax MargolisMatt MeyerTaisha O'BryantMatt OsbornKathryn Palmer, Esq.Bill ParkerSteph Plourde-SimardAnne Rogers, Esq.Sandy RyeomBen StumpfMichele WashburnAliza WassermanLindsey WeberDenise Williams

“I volunteer at ACE because I see how effective the pro-grams are at making a difference locally and beyond!”

-Sandy Ryeom, Development Committee, ACE Member

6-9 Transit justiceT Riders Union(TRU)

5 MembershipBuilding a base for EJ

18 Emerging issuesNew campaignsand projects

19 CoalitionsWorking in partnership

October 2007-2008

20-21Membersand fundersPeople like you whomake this work possible

2222 33

14-17Strengthening communitiesServices program

From left: REEP, staff and interns,Board of Directors.

Lyons & Jed Leslie,

Catherine Maas, John MacDougall, EmilyMacMillian, Robert Madden & LourdesMurray, Shruthi Mahalingaiah & HenningWillers, John Maher, Brennan Maier &Marina Spitkovskaya, Liz Malia & RitaKantarowski, Janis Mancini, MaxMargolis, Jeremy Marin, Linda Markarian,Dwayne Marsh, Marvin Martin, LeeMatsueda, Patsy & Gary Matsueda, EricaMattison, Andrew Bruce McAmis, JoyceMcDonough, Mallory McDuff, GregorMcGregor, Michelle McGruder, JamesMcNeil, Giordana Mecagni, NabiaMeghelli, Matt Menard, Deirdre & EricMenoyo, Matthew Meyer, Claire Miller,Gail Miller, Michele Mitsumori, Rob Moir,Roy Molina, Danilo Morales, Brian Moran,Rachel Morello-Frosch & David Eifler,Raymond Moreno, Alexander & DonnaMorgan, Elise Morgan, Robert Morris,Darrel Morrison, Nicola Moscufo, KellyMuellman, Anthony Muiru, Philip Myrick,Jessie Myszka,

Pamela Nelson, Ron Newman, EveNightingale, Paul & Jane Noce, KathleenO'Brien, James O'Malley, Max Ochoa &Julie Lanz, Wilfred Oreste, Abigail & JohnOrtiz, Juan Ortiz, Matt Osborn, Willy &Lynn Osborn, Betty Jean Palmer, WilliamParker & Susanne Beck, Frederick &Anne Paulsen, Karen Payne, DorithPeleg, Marc Pelletier, Lenore Pereira,Lennine Perkins, Stephen, Sarah & MayPerkins & Phyllis Groskin, Edward Perry,Chris Peters, John Petito & BarbaraWinter, Ashley Pettus & CharlesCherington, Earl Phalen, Ian Phillips &Rachael Phillips, Johanna & ThomasPlaut, Christine Poff, Rob & AlicePomponio, Carlos Eduardo Ponce Silén,Meredith Porter & Aliza Arzt, AlvinPoussaint, Lonnie Powers, ChristinePrevitera, Rebecca Price, LouiseProfumo, Mike Prokosch & Becky Pierce,Beulah Providence, Jaime Pullen,

Andrew Rabin, Andrew Rainer &Margaret Woo, Amelie Ratliff, VanessaRedditt, Maddie Ribble, John Ricci,Ramona Richards, Kadian Richardson,Martha Richmond, Lauren Rikleen, RobertRiman, Kyle Robidoux & Jill Kimmel,Michelle Robinson, Allan Rodgers, JeffreyRoelofs, Anne Rogers, Pamela Rogers &Andrei Joseph, Maryellen Rogge, DavidRohrlich, Maria Rojas, Brianna Rose,Charlotte Rose, Nicholas Rosenberg,Margaret Rosenberry, Jeffrey Rosenblum& Jessica Kuh, Marguerite Rosenthal,Pamela & Eugene Rosi, Heather RossSchwab & Jeremy Schwab, AlanRothschild, Staci Rubin, Gerald & JoanRuderman, René & Susan Ruiz, ByronRushing, Gwen Ruta, Lindsay Ryan, Mary

Ryan, Sandra Ryeom & Sam Yoon,

James & Margery Sabin, Paul Sabin &Emily Bazelon, Amanda Sagarin, FranklynSalimbene, Ronald Sandler & EmilyMann, Tina Saxon, Madeleine Scammell,Steve Schnapp, Eveline Schneeberger,David Schoenfeld & Ellen Schoenfeld-Beeks, Andy Schulert & Joy Lucas, JudithSchwartz, Michael Schwartz & JeffKnudsen, Alicia Scott, Steve Scott,Septima Sensenig, Kitt Shaffer & TimothyTitcomb, Alane Shanks & JeremySolomons, Ari Shapiro, Robert Shatten,Peggy Shepard, Peter & Margaret Sherin,Sarah Sherman-Stokes & Chris Richards,Merril Shin, Peter & Elizabeth Shutkin,William Shutkin & Sally Handy, RuthSilman, Lauren Sloat & Richard Golay,Matthew Smith, Phyllis Smith, Robert &Lori Smith, Ruthann Sneider, RebeccaSniderman, Adriana Snow, Meira Soloff,Danielle Sommer, John Spengler, DavidSpinner, Toba Spitzer & Gina Fried, AnikeStaples-Martin, Cindy Starks, Donald &Chelene Steckler, Victoria Steinitz & ElliotMishler, David Stelnik, Nebulla Stephen,Nathaniel Stevens, Anson Stewart, CarolStreiff, Ben Stumpf, Carol & AlanSugerman, Alex & Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, Eunice & Mark Sullivan, Ching-Mi& FangKuo Sun, David & Meiji Sun, MimiSun,

Valerie Taing, Aaron Tanaka, Mari RoseTaruc, Joanna Taylor, Christine Tellez,Danah Tench, Robert Terrell, LisaThompson, Bette Toney, Jenny Torpey,Daniel & Magdalena Tosteson, HughTurcotte, Penny Turner, Ailis Tweed-Kent,Eric Twerdahl, Holly Unger, ConstanceUtada, David Van Vactor, MargaretVanDeusen & James Doyle, RamiroVazquez, Daniel Verinder, GwendolynVincent,

Kate Walker, Leandra Walker,Shineekqua Walker, John Walkey, Ann &Brad Wallace, Sherrie Waller, FrancisWalley, Ralph Walton, Michele Washburn& Michael Digris, Charlene Watson,Sharon Watson Beck, Philip Weinberg,David Weinstein & Lauren Ockene, MaryEllen Welch, Paul Welch, KatherineWeldon, Eric Weltman & Sarah Bennett,Martha Werler & David Fonseca, MarkWesterberg, Karen Wheeler & Mary AnnKopydlowski, David White & Mary Gilbert,Mariama White-Hammond, EdwardWhitney, Bruce Wickersham, DouglasWilkins & Laura Wilkins, Andrew Willis,Scotland Willis, Mary Wilson & HarveyFineberg, Maya Winfrey & LynnBenander, Mike Wolfson, Tina Wu, LesterYarbrough Dottin, Peter Zabierek, Albert& Judith Zabin, Molly Zeff, Ami Zota.

Business, Foundations,Government, Institutional &Organizational Donors:Anonymous, Arizona's Barbeque, BostonBar Foundation, Boston Public HealthCommission, Boston University School ofPublic Health, Boston YouthEnvironmental Network, CaribbeanFoundation Cultural Fund, Church of OurSaviour, Citizens for a Better Brockton,City of Boston Air Pollution ControlCommission, Clean Air Task Force,Clowes Fund, The Coalition to SaveGlendale Park, Codman Square NDC,Commonstream/Currents of Change,Community Development Corporation ofBoston, Community Labor United ,Community Works, Co-op Power,Dorchester House, EnvironmentNortheast, First Parish in Lincoln, FoleyHoag Foundation, Ford Foundation, FourCorners Action Coalition, HyamsFoundation, John Merck Fund, JohnSnow, Inc., Krupp Family Foundation,Lawson Valentine Foundation, MarislaFoundation, Massachusetts BarFoundation, Massachusetts CulturalCouncil, Merck Family Fund, MillerFoundation, New England GrassrootsEnvironment Fund, New Mission HighSchool, New World Foundation, NorfolkRam Group, LLC, Ocean River Institute,Old Cambridge Baptist Church, PlymouthRock Foundation, PolicyLink, PublicWelfare Foundation, R.E.M. / Athens,LLC, Roxbury Trust, SEIU Local 1199,Sills Family Foundation, Sociedad Latina,Solidago Foundation, TeenEmpowerment, Third Sector New EnglandDiversity, Unitarian Universalist VeatchProgram, United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency Healthy CommunitiesGrant, Watertown Citizens forEnvironmental Safety, Zell FamilyFoundation.

In-Kind Donations:Lorna Allen, Kalila Barnett, Louise Baxter,Be Our Guest, Bikes Not Bombs, BlueMan Group, Boston Children's Museum,Boston Community Chiropractic,Broadway Bicycle, Andrew Cohen,Tammy Chu, Devoted to Design, DrumlinFarm, Lisa Edwards, Furnature, GenevaBalloon Creations, Annie Gilbert, GlobalBalance, Haley House, Linda Hanson,Harpoon Brewery, Jillian's Boston, TerryGreene, Margie Klein, Ida LaMattina,Rene Mardones, McCoy Fence, Inc.,Michelle McGruder, Colleen Meagher,N.E. Design, New England Aquarium, NoSweat Apparel, William Parker, Patagonia,Amanda Sagarin, Lilia Sanabria, SouthEnd Press, Ruby Sugerman, QuitaSullivan, Ten Thousand Villages, The RedFez, Robert Sugerman, Sunny Skincare,Tropical Foods.

44

Environmental justice visionSince 1993, ACE has been building the power of communities ofcolor and lower income communities in New England to eradicateenvironmental racism and classism, and achieve environmentaljustice. We have fought-and won-many battles against dumps,toxic sites, and other polluters. However, we believe that environ-mental justice is much more than just the absence of these injus-tices.

At this point in history, we are facing the most severe economicdownturn since the Great Depression. We now know that globalwarming is a true threat to humankind and that we must end ourfossil fuel addiction and live more sustainably. Despite these mas-sive challenges, we have the Obama administration inspiring newhope.

ACE believes that sustainable and equitable development is theonly way to address our local and global challenges. True sustain-ability does not just mean the adoption of green lifestyles forthose who can afford them, but requires a shift away from athrow-away mentality where certain peoples and land are seen asexpendable.

ACE's vision for the future includes:Healthy neighborhoods for all with safe places for our childrento play, teens to learn and grow, neighbors to gather, and families to access and grow healthy food.

Community control and self-determination for our communities.

Transportation justice for all.

Sustainable, local economic wealth.

Healthy, energy-efficient homes that people can afford.

Youth leadership and support systems for young people to ensure their academic and personal success.

To accomplish this over the next five years, ACE will:Build an intergenerational, multicultural, multilingual membership of 1,000.

Provide free, high quality legal and technical resources to lower income community residents.

Build the resources and infrastructure necessary to support ACE's mission, including increasing individual contributions, possibly purchasing our own building and pursuing ownership of a community green economic venture.

Develop strategies to address root causes of environmental injustice and win systemic change locally and statewide. Some of our priority issues include the greening of the economy and protecting neighborhoods from displacement and gentrification.

Summary of ACE’s VisionApproved by our membersat the November 12, 2008Annual Meeting

“I believe insustainability-living onless-but I don't want thepoor left out. What I like

about ACE is thatthey don't

forgetabout thepeoplearound

us, whowait on us,

those who makeminimum wage.”

-Louise Baxer, ACE Member

From top: Roxbury neighborhood, detail ofvisioning mural, eviction blockade.

2211

Celebrating DudleyIn June, we organized a vibrant streetfestival, drawing hundreds of participantsto Blair's Lot in Dudley Square. EJ in the'Hood kicked off a community conversa-tion about the future of Roxbury in theface of development and gentrification.Residents expressed hopes for ourneighborhood through an interactivemural, highlighting the need for jobs,better education and playgrounds.

H. Edward & Maureen Abelson, JamesAbernathy, Benjamin Abrams, AnnAdelsberger, Patty Adelsberger, Robert &Julie Ain, Marlene Alderman & EugeneBenson, Lorna Allen, Ronnell Almond,Elizabeth Ammons, Davida Andelman,Alexis Anderson, Anonymous, ChrisAntonowich, Ricardo Arias, Spyridon &Calliope Artavanis-Tsakonas, KathleenArthur, Andrea Atkinson, Kathleen Attfield,Parsiri Audcharevorakul, FrederickAugenstern & Martha Jones, Alicia Austin,

T. Kemi Babagbemi, Judy Babikian, BrentBaeslack, Cherelle Ball, Kalila Barnett,Robert & Marie Bartlett, Louise Baxter,

Myron Belfer &

Sandra Belfer, Catherine Bell, LynnBenander, Pamela Bender, FredericBerman & Lorraine Segall, JeffreyBernstein, Donald & Ann Berwick, JosephBetancourt, Christopher Blackler, SarahBlumberg, Gavi Bogin-Farber, VictoriaBok & Dewitt Jones, RoseannBongiovanni, Suzanne Boohar, JoyceBradshaw, J. Arthur & Marguerite Brien,Brian Brotman, China Brotsky, MichaelBrown, Mira Brown & Paul Normandia,Philip Brown, Ralph & Nadine Brozan,Holly Bruno, Jamy Buchanan Madeja,Adam Buggia, Pamela Bush, Kate Butler,

Chip Cabot, III & Sarah Cabot,Christopher Camp, Mike & LauraCampbell, John Cappuccio, Jr., Barbara &J. Edward Carchidi, Melissa Carino,Edwin Carrasquillo, Robin Carton &Meredith Smith, Kathleen Castagna, JohnCater, Jacquelyn Cefola & Penn Loh,Stacey Chacker, Cindy Chang, JeanChapman, Philip Chassler, Noah Chesnin,Morgan Chessia, Yee Won Chong,Stephan & Beatrice Chorover, CatherineChu, Tammy Chu, Richard Clapp & PaulaGeorges, Lisa Clauson, Downing Cless,Andrew Cohen, Ilana Cohen, Jeff Cook,Jr., Patrick Cooke, Burleane Cooley, Mary& Thomas Cooney, Michael & DawnCosta, Beverly Craig, Laura Crandall,Gwendolyn Creary, Bill Cunningham,

PeterDanbridge, Henrietta Davis &Richard Bock, Randall Davis, DonnaDear, Andrew DeLaski & AudreyRichardson, Dan & KoKo Delisi, AaronDesatnik, Virgilius & Vilma Dibiase, CarlDierker, Alex Dorfman, Rachael Dorr,Cathleen Douglas Stone & James Stone,Charles Dowell, Dashawn Dowell, LyndiaDownie, Patricia Drake, Michael &Katherine Dukakis, Sarah Dunagan,Mayra Duran, Edith Edwards, Lisa SadikaEdwards, David Eggleton, Grant Emison& Lynn Betlock, William & MaryEngstrom, Paul & Adrienne Epstein, AnneErde, Benjamin Ericson & Rashmi Dyal-Chand, Neenah Estrella-Luna & MarcosLuna, Jon & Lucia Evans,

Lindsey Farnsworth, Susan Fendell,Barbara Ferrer, Marc Filerman & JudyShen-Filerman, Carolyn Fine-Friedman,Robert & Glenda Fishman, Kim Foltz &David Diaz, Christine Forget, DianaFrame, Walter Francolini & RonaldRemillard, Heidi Fritz, Frances Froehlich,Lisa Frost & Paul Zintl, Archon & DebbieFung,

Jovanna Garcia-Soto & Rafael Medina,Stephen Gaun, Noah Genel, ElizabethGerlach, Gary & Brita Gill-Austern, MarvinGilmore, Joseph Gindi, Vivian & ElisaGirard, Elisa Girouard, Lewis Gitelman,Sarah Glatt, Rolf & Julie Goetze, AnneliesGoger, Laura Goldin, Laurie Goldman,Liza Goldman-Huertas & StefanMansourian, R. Gonzalez, Daniel & CarolGoodenough, Lisa Goodheart, MichaelGorse, Claire Gosselin & Cole Harrison,Jane Gottschalk, Coleman Goughary,Susan Gracey, Roger Grande & DebKacanek, Alexander Green, David Green,Terry Greene, Luba Greenwood, ValerieGrimm, Marcia Griswold, Becca Gutman,

Leigh Hall, Megan & Bruce Hammond,Dana Hanson, Jeremy Hanson, John &Linda Hanson, Robert Hanson, AkanHarbiyeci, Jean Hardisty, Bertha Harris,Pamela Harvey, Jen Hashley, Emily &Tom Haslett, Francis Hatch, Whitney

Hatch, Russ Hayden, Thomas Hayes,Scott Heald, Benjamin Healey, T.J. &Rachel Hellmann, Christina Hemphill,Michael Henry, Lauren Herman, Ivy Hest,Fern Hickey, Greg Hill, Philip & BarbaraHillman, Melissa Hoffer & Robert Plotkin,Polly Hoppin & Robert Thomas, Jr.,Simca Horwitz, Susanne Howard, JamesHoyte, Sharon Hucul, Marilyn Humphries,H. Patricia Hynes,

David Myron Inkeles, Valina Jackson,Gretta Jacobs, Kira Ayn Jacobs, TavonJacobs, David Jenkins, James Jennings,Robert & Virginia Jeppson, Ameer Jihad,Aaron Johnson, Andrea Johnson,Elizabeth & Douglas Johnson, Regan

Johnson & Brian Bergmark, Davel Juba,

Heeten Kalan & Jenny Dalstein, RichardKallelis, Meredith & David Kantor, Kapriel& Amalia Karagozyan, Vusama Kariba,Linda Kato, Stephen Kaye, Felicia Kazer,James Keane, Trevain Keene, BarbaraKeiter, Crystal Kelley & Paul Calvert,Peter Kiang, Matthew & Kerry Kilroy,Margie Klein, Sue Klem, Lynn Klotz,Courtney Knapp, Katharine Knott, John &Linda Kohler, Lawrence Kolodney &Heather Nelson, Ernesta & ThomasKraczkiewicz, Elisabeth Krautscheid,Shirley & Herbert Kressel, Carl Kurz,Kwabena Kyei-Aboagye, John Kyper,

Zenobia Lai, Rae Langton & RichardHolton, Gail Latimore, Virginia Lawrence,Jae Rhim Lee, Susan Lees, SethLeibson, Bob LeLievre & Lisa Clauson,Wayne Lencer & Karen Klein, AndrewLeong & Chi Chi Wu, Jess Lerner, DonLeslie & Kathleen Puckett, Alice Leung,Ross Levinsky, Jonathan Levy, JuanLeyton & Jean Nolan, Rob Libon, RoxanaLlerena-Quinn, Cynthia Loesch, WilliamLoesch, Corinne Lofchie, Yung Ping &Sheila S. Loh, Joel Loitherstein, DarleneLombos, Whitney Lopez, Charles & BlythLord, Elizabeth Loring, Kyle & KathrynLoring, Mariann Lorray, Charles Low,Werner Low & Dianne desRoches,Debbie Lubarr, Josefina Luna, Taina

Thank you members & donors!Gifts from October 23, 2007 to October 22, 2008

Family, fun, community

Jamminmin’ ’ for JusticeIn May, members and supporterscelebrated the movement for envi-ronmental justice. Thank you toeveryone for a great night!

Pro Bono Advocate AwardSidra M. Vitale, Esq.

for her tireless work as co-counselfor Brockton and West Bridgewaterresidents fighting to stop the con-struction of a fossil fuel power plant.

Founders' AwardsNew Mission High School

for their dedication to EJ projectson affordable housing and gentrifi-cation, MBTA service, youth vio-lence and the BU Bioterrorism Lab.

ACE member Stuart Spinafor his report on MBTA bus routesthat pushed the transit agency toimprove service.

Chelsea CreekCommunities Against thePower Plantfor successfully organizingagainst a proposed diesel-burning power plant.

Building communityGame nights provided a place for membersto share food, fun and lots of laughs.Thanks for hanging out with us!

Games are enjoyed by members of all ages.

Rocking out for EJIn February, local musicians Hot Molasses,The Moving Co. and Floxy Blu performedto a packed house to raise funds for ACE.Thank you bands and guests!

From left: Floxy Blu and friend, Hot Molasses.

“I support ACE today because youth and volunteers of all agesare actively involved in addressing environmental assaults to theirneighborhoods.”

-Rob Moir, ACE Member

2200 55

The T Riders Union (TRU) organizes transit riders tofight for first class service in Greater Boston. TRU is avoice of the movement for equitable public transportationin lower income communities and communities of color.We demand respect, equality, accountability, first-classservice, accessibility, affordability and comfort.

T Riders Union

Right to the CityAllianceis a nationwide coalition confrontingdisplacement in lower income com-munities of color and collectivelybuilding a national urban movementfor housing, education, health, racialjustice and democracy.

On the Move: TheGreater Boston Transpor-tation Justice Coalitionbrings community based organiza-tions in greater Boston together toadvocate for transit justice.

Action for RegionalEquity (Action!)is a coalition of Massachusettsorganizations addressing issues ofaffordable housing, transportationinvestment and environmental justice.

Radical OrganizingConferencebrings together change makers tobuild relationships, common under-standing and united strategies tomake radical social change for ourcommunities.

Coalitions

United Youth andYouth Workers of Bostonis a coalition of Boston youth commit-ted to ending violence and creatingmore opportunities for young people.

Co-op Power Metro Eastrevitalizes local economies in GreaterBoston with quality green jobs andbrings people together for a sustain-able and just energy future.

Massachusetts DieselPollution Solutionbuilds constituencies to advocate fordiesel pollution solutions and pro-vides technical and legal support tocut 75 percent of diesel pollution inpriority fleets by 2010.

Whose Boston?is a coalition of Boston groups seek-ing to improve local planning anddevelopment processes by makingthem more democratic and account-able to city residents.

Green Justice Coalitionbuilds a broad-based constituency insupport of a sustainable, equitableand clean energy economy statewideand advocates for green jobs andprograms for residents of lowerincome communities and communi-ties of color.

From top: TRU members at a planning retreat, marching in solidarityfor immigrant rights, Chelsea/East Boston TRU members.

Community Worksis a portfolio of 32 local social justiceorganizations providingMassachusetts residentsa unique opportunity toinvest in long-term sys-temic change. Contributetoday at www.communityworks.com.

Youth

Fundraising

TransitGreen jobs

Organizing &Development

From left: ACE members rallying for CORIreform, the Boston contingent at theSustainable Energy Summit in Amherst,ACE at an immigrant rights rally.

Mystic RiverCollaborativeis a new network of grassroots andenvironmental groups remediatingthe neglect, pollution and abandon-ment of the water bodies in theMystic River watershed and ensuringthat community residents areinvolved in the process.

South End/LowerRoxbury Youth WorkersAlliancepromotes collaboration across youth-serving agencies and supports youthworkers to develop leadership andstrengthen youth programs.

Boston YouthEnvironmental Networkis a group of public and private sec-tor organizations and professionals inthe environmental education, parkstewardship, youth development andjob training fields aiming to increasegreen youth employment and envi-ronmental educational opportunities.

Don’t WasteMassachusettsis a coalition of equity and environ-mental groups committed to uphold-ing Massachusetts’ prohibition onincreasing trash incineration andadvocating for recycling and wastereduction.

Environmental

66 1199

Defeating Question OneThis fall, we joined a broad coalition ofgroups opposing Question One, a ballotmeasure that would have repealed the stateincome tax. With the support of memberslike you, the coalition defeated this proposi-tion with an overwhelming 70 percent of thevote. Had Question One passed, the state budget would have been cut by 40 percent, causing a brutal cut-back in services that would have devastated lower income commu-nities and communities of color. Thank you to everyone who votedto support our communities and promote environmental justice.

Emerging issues

Ending gentrificationIn Dudley Square, redevelopmentplanned by the Mayor will renovateand create new buildings. But willthis benefit our community or justcreate more pollution, congestionand displacement? ACE is facilitat-ing the creation of a community-designed vision for Dudley Square

throughpublicmeetings,workshopsand ourstreet festi-val, EJ inthe 'Hood.

Equitabledevelopmentinvolves theinput of resi-dents andemploys local

workers.As part ofthe 2008RadicalOrganizingConferenceSummer

Institute, we hosted a workshop ongentrification called "Stop RobbingOur 'Hood." Gentrification occurswhen money is invested toimprove a neighborhood, ultimate-ly raising the cost of housing, dis-placing lower income people, fre-quently people of color. We’ll con-tinue engaging residents and keepyou updated on this work!

From top: Housing in Dudley Square, thelibrary to be renovated, Boston City

Councilor Turner advocating for Roxburyconstruction projects to enlist local workers.

Green jobs, sustainable energyIn the rapidly emerginggreen economy, webelieve that EJ commu-nities-those who haveborne the brunt of envi-ronmental hazards-should be at the fore-front of the green revo-lution. This year, ACEhelped pass a greenjobs bill with our part-ners from the BostonGreen Justice Coalitionand the Massachusetts Green JobsCoalition. The bill provides cleanenergy start up grants, green jobworkforce developments andgreen job training for people fromlower income communities. ACE also helped launch a number of green energy working groups.In consultation with Co-op Power in Western Massachusetts, wehelped start Co-op Power Metro East to create a multi-class, multi-racial movement for a sustainable and just energy future. WithBoston-area partners, we're forming a worker-owned energy servic-es company (ESCO) to grow community wealth, create careeropportunities for the underemployed and provide energy efficiencyservices for lower-income families. And we helped create theCommunity Owned Green Business Development Network to sup-port green business development projects. REEP youth are actively involved, from conducting workshops onthe green economy to advocating for green jobs for youth. REEPand ACE have also met with key leaders of the national green jobsmovement and visited green justice groups in Brooklyn and theBronx to learn how to continue building our campaigns.From top: Green jobs rally at the State House, speaking at the green jobs bill hearing.

As part of our EJ Vision, ACE istaking action on developing issues,complementing our work againstenvironmental injustices. With yourhelp, we can ensure a just, sus-tainable future for our families,friends and communities.

Michelle McGruder com-pleted a TRU MemberInternship in Fall 2008 and isthe current Chairperson of TRiders Union.

I first heard about ACE in1997 when I became interest-ed in how often the T cleansits buses after I noticed moldin the lighting system.

In 1999, I worked with ACEon the Healthy Hair Showthat provided black men andwomen with hair care alterna-tives to relaxers. ACE is theonly organization I know that

actually finds solutions ratherthan just talking about prob-lems.

I am involved in TRU, the TRiders Union, to improve thequality of public transit in theBoston area. With TRU, I canbe a voice for others who arescared of the system or donot have the opportunity tospeak their concerns.

Recently, I have been survey-ing people about bus cuts,how they would grade busservice and potential interestin boycotting the T if fares areraised again.

I would like to pass on tofuture generations informationon how we can eradicateenvironmental injustices.

Organizing for our ‘fare’ share

Michelle McGruder, ACE Member

“I believe thatenvironmental justice is gettingour fair share andthat the problemsin our neighbor-hoods have solutions.”

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Fixing substandard bus service In March, ACE member Stuart Spina released an exten-sive report to the MBTA Board of Directors outlining hisrecommendations for improving bus service. For ninemonths, Stuart, a high school junior, researched 12 buslines chosen because of their heavy ridership and poorreputation. Most of those lines run through the DudleySquare Bus Station, just two blocks from ACE. After riding each route multiple times, tracking schedules,and talking to riders, drivers and T officials, Stuart request-ed a number of changes to make the system better for rid-ers in lower income communities of color. This led to TRUmembers meeting with Jim Folk, the Director of Bus andSubway Operations, to review the report at the MBTA BusOperations Headquarters. Some recommendations in Stuart's report are being car-ried out, such as system-wide incorporation of GPS track-ing used to monitor bus bunching on selected routes. Thiswill allow the T to examine buses by route to make adjust-ments in scheduling and operations. Another improvementare schedule changes on bus routes 22, 23, 28, and 39 toreflect actual arrival and departure times.

TRU campaigns, October 2007-2008

Fighting discriminationIn March, ACE submitted written testimonyto the Joint Committee on the Judiciary infavor of House Bill 2235, An Act Further

Protecting CivilRights. Sponsoredby RepresentativeRushing, the billwould allow peo-ple to bring claimsin state court if a

state government programhas a discriminatory impact on them basedon race, color or national origin. If passed,this bill would make it easier to bring casesof environmental injustices to court.

Continued from previous page...

Hawthorne Area Association is con-cerned about density and afford-ability of a proposed condominium development at the site of a former shoe factory. MEJAN Volunteers: Sam Butcher, LSP of Goldman Environmental; Al Zabin, Esq. of Duane Morris.

Hawthorne Area Association seeks to acquire land owned by the Department of Neighborhood Development so that they can begin to work on the community center envisioned by local youth in an architecture/design project. MEJAN Volunteers: Bethany A. Bartlett, Esq. of Sherin & Lodgen.

Holyoke Organized to Protect the Environment (HOPE) is opposed to the siting of a waste transfer facility proposed for Holyoke in an EJ neighborhood. MEJAN Volunteers: Gregor McGregor, Esq. and Luke Legere, Esq. of McGregor & Associates.*

Lucerne Gardens Residents Association seeks to convert from public housing to condominium ownership. MEJAN Volunteers: Jonathan Book, Esq. and Sheryl Howard, Esq. of Foley Hoag.

Neighborhood First! is monitoring a contaminated site in South Boston. MEJAN Volunteers: Ian Phillips, LSP and Jamie Vallee, LSP of Roux Associates.*

REEP will monitor the clean-up on 15 parcels where Madison Park CDC seeks to build housing. MEJAN Volunteers: Gary Gill-Austern, Esq. of Nutter, McClennen & Fish, and Sam Butcher, LSP.

Safety Net claims civil rights viola-tions in the placement of the BU bioterrorism Lab in the South End/ Roxbury neighborhood. MEJAN Volunteers: Douglas Wilkins, Esq. of Anderson & Kreiger.

Victory Programs, Inc. is working to develop an urban farm on the for-mer Boston State Hospital property in Mattapan. MEJAN Volunteers: Jonathan Cosco, Esq. and Colin Van Dyke, Esq. of Mintz Levin.

Whittier Street Task Force is con-cerned about the containment and removal of an oil spill at the former Whittier Street Health Center. MEJAN Volunteers: Kerry Tull, LSP; Anne Rogers, Esq. of ACE.*

*Cases closed this year.

Residents winIn a huge victory, plans tobuild a diesel power plant inChelsea were withdrawn inNovember 2007. The plantwould have overshadowedthe city's only elementaryschool in a community withsome of the state's highestasthma and stroke rates. Thecompany maintained that

their plant with 135-foot high smokestacks would have improved air qualityin the city. Chelsea residents successfully organized, protested and con-tacted state environmental and energy agencies and the city council to stopthe plant. ACE’s Legal Counsel represented residents at the EnergyFacilities Siting Board and in the environmental impact review process.Chelsea residents protest the plant.

“Residents in this community are working hardto improve Chelsea's environment and publichealth. This power plant victory is a tremen-dous accomplishment.”

-Roseann Bongiovanni, ACE member, Chelsea resident

i2008ghts

Victory for ridersAs a result of our campaign for busimprovements, the MBTA Board ofDirectors expanded service onroutes 111 and 15. ACE member Peggy Jarrettlaunched a petition drive forincreased service on bus service toFields Corner in Dorchester, as itwas extremely limited during eveninghours. When Peggy and other ACE mem-bers presented these petitions at theT board meeting in August, wesecured a meeting to discuss theseissues with Director of BusOperations Cheryl Hinton.Starting in December 2007, route 15was extended, providing increasedevening and weekend service toFields Corner Station, and additionalservice was added on route 111 dur-ing busy periods on weekdays andweekends.

“Spina, who presented his reportyesterday, has qualifications no Tofficial can claim: he's 17 years old,and rides the bus daily.”

-BostonNow, March 7, 2008

Clockwise from top: Dudley Square Bus Station where many of the routes Stuart exam-ined pass through, media at the press conference, presenting to the MBTA Board, sup-porting riders rights, Stuart answering questions from the media about his report.

Stopping noiseMembers of the RichfieldArea Neighborhood Groupin Dorchester are workingwith MEJAN attorney PhilipP. Posner to remedy the airquality and noise problemsof a road repair company.Based in their neighborhood,the company is close to agrade school, senior center,community center and earlychildhood learning center. Construction traffic in the community.

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Defending neighborhoodsResidents of Chelmsford Advocates for a SafeEnvironment (CASE), working with ACE andMEJAN volunteer Katherine Fogarty, LSP foughtthe expansion of an asphalt plant across the streetfrom their homes. The company withdrew itsrequest for approval of its plans; a major victory for cleaner air. MEJANattorney Al Zabin of Duane Morris will advise CASE on an ongoing basis onother environmental issues. Truck traffic from Aggregate Industries.

Stopping trash incinerationIn September, environmental organizations, state legislatorsand ACE wrote a letter to Governor Patrick urging him to preserve the statewide moratorium on incineration capacity,create a more aggressive, comprehensive statewide waste-reduction plan and restore the Clean Environment Fund. We are concerned that the Patrick administration may liftthe decade-long moratorium on new incinerator capacitywhen it revises the state's Solid Waste Master Plan.Incinerators, landfills, and trash transfer stations are toooften located in lower income communities and communi-ties of color and there are currently no rules preventingthose types of pollution sources from being placed inalready overburdened environmental justice neighborhoods.A zero waste plan would provide the state with green jobs,help fuel a green economy, protect public health and be abig step toward sustainability for all.

Eliminating fare increasesTRU members began a new campaign to fix the public transportation systemfrom the inside out, targeting the root of the T's problems to ensure a fiscallysound system and eliminate the cycle of fare increases. A letter writing cam-paign to Governor Patrick was started in November 2007 to remind him of hiscampaign promises for affordable fares and better service. On the table for2009 is reintroducing legislation to revamp T funding (previous legislationwas put to a study in 2007) and a new bill for accountability on the MBTABoard of Directors. Boston City Councilors Turner and Yancey at a TRU meeting.

“My goal in working with TRU is to get better service, especially busservice, for people in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. I want tomake sure they get the most for their $1.50.”

-Stuart Spina, ACE Member

Where’s my bus?In February, the Boston Herald reported that the MBTA hadsecretly cut between 1,000 and 1,800 bus and train tripswithout reflecting the change in schedules. TRU memberswrote to MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas, askinghim to eliminate bus cuts and for accurate bus schedulesshowing the level of service actually provided. The GeneralManager responded that the T would do better, but did notsay which routes suffered the most cuts or what policies theT has implemented to stop the bus cuts.In April, ACE’s legal counsel sent the T a Public RecordsLaw request asking for the number of dropped bus trips perroute, which routes were affected and how the T will stopdropping bus trips. TRUcompiled the resultsinto a report andreleased it tomembers overthe summer.We are contin-uing toreceivemonthly busreports andare monitoringthe situation forimprovements.

Working for clean airBrockton and West Bridgewater residents, includingresidents of a manufactured housing community, are ral-lying against a proposed fossil fuel power plant.Residents are working with ACE and MEJAN co-counselSidra Vitale to stop the plant, which would spew air pol-lution into an area with one of the state's worst rates of childhood asthmaand lung and respiratory diseases. In May, the Energy Facilities Siting Boardbegan hearings on the plant, where residents and experts testified againstthe project. The hearings are the first step in the administrative process,which also includes an environmental review and permitting approval.

ACE Legal Counsel Eugene Benson and Co-counsel Sidra Vitale at a hearing.

Services highlights, October 2007-Case reviewDue to client confidentiality, not all cases are listed.

Residents of a Spanish speaking neighborhood in Chelsea worked to address foul odors as well as ani-mal parts and blood dumped in the street from a tannery. The company has installed pollution-control equip-ment required by a consent agree-ment, which has greatly improved the odor problem. MEJAN Volun-teers: Chris Davis, Esq., Kevin Pechulis, Esq. and Delcy Sweet-Huber, Esq. of Goodwin Procter.*

Chelsea Greenspace Coalition hopes to acquire nearby property to use as community space. MEJAN Volunteers: Architect Randy Lewis; Jonathan Book, Esq. and Sheryl Howard, Esq. of Foley Hoag.

East Boston Chelsea Creek Action Group is concerned about the potential escape of pollutants from a proposed confined aquatic dis-posal cell that would hold dredged sediments from Chelsea Creek and Boston Harbor. MEJAN Volunteers: Jerome Cura, PhD, LSP of The Science Collaborative.*

Elm Hill Park Neighborhood Association is concerned about a failing retaining wall which threat-ens the foundation of their homes. MEJAN Volunteers: Martin Levin, Esq. of Stern Shapiro Weissburg & Garin; Joel Loitherstein, LSP.*

The Food Project hopes to acquire parcels of land from the City of Boston for farming. MEJAN Volunteers: Jeanine L.G. Grachuk, Esq. of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.; Sam Butcher, LSP.

The Forest Glen Housing Co-op Board has asked the City to forgive or postpone payment of two loans made to the Co-op, which are cur-rently due. MEJAN Volunteers: Walter Boldys, Esq. of Mintz Levin, LLP.

The Greater Bowdoin Geneva Neighborhood Association has asked for legal assistance in enforcing parking restrictions against large trucks near the Geneva Cliffs Urban Wild. The presence of the trucks is inhibiting the revival of the Urban Wild. MEJAN Volunteers: Dylan Sanders, Esq. and Jennifer L. Sullivan, Esq. of DLA Piper.

Continued to next page...

Ensuring safetyRepresented by MEJAN attor-ney Michael O'Neill ofMcGregor & Associates,Concerned Citizens ofFreetown won a Superior Courttrial challenging a subdivisionplan in the town. As a result,the Planning Board hasrequired the developer of theproposed project to deal withfire safety concerns addressed

by thecourt.Theclients aredelightedwithMike's

ongoing work on their behalf.

Learning togetherACE memberscontinued buildingskills and develop-ing campaign strat-egy through TRUretreats, video edit-ing and fundraisingtrainings.

Campaign planning at a TRU retreat.

Rider satisfactionACE members conducted over a thousand bus rider surveysin Summer 2008, covering service issues and helping to buildTRU membership. Results mirrored findings from our out-reach work: A whopping 96 percent of people recommendedimproving bus routes. Additionally, riders were asked to gradethe MBTA bus system-see the results in the chart to the left.

Building leadershipCongratulations to Lisa Sadika Edwards forcompleting her TRU internship. "It challengedme by giving me the opportunity to knowACE inside and out-I got to know the mem-

bershipmodel andused it tobuild andsupportACE."

Lisa Sadikareceiving her certificate ofcompletion.

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Freetown residents in the neighborhood.

45%

17%21%

14%

3%

C 45% 436 votesD 21% 205 votesE 14% 135 votes

A 3% 32 votesB 17% 170 votes

Grading bus service

*48 surveys received no answer

Protecting healthViet-AID, aDorchester com-munity center(right), workedwith MEJAN vol-unteers to devel-op a presenta-tion on the health effects of floor refin-ishing products. There are about 700Vietnamese floor refinishers in theneighborhood. Trang X. Tran, a publichealth graduate student, researchedand made slides for the presentationand Tima Sensenig, a marketing pro-fessional from Roux Associates, pro-duced take-home materials, both inVietnamese. The first presentation waswell-attended and will be repeated sev-eral times a year. Viet-AID is very happywith the work of Trang and Tima.

REEP invests in the next generation by develop-ing enthusiasm and commitment to environmentaljustice among youth and nurturing the leadershipof young organizers. We work with youth in ourhome neighborhood through youth organizing, aschool-based environmental justice curriculumand youth-led campaigns and projects.

Roxbury EnvironmentalEmpowerment Project

Clockwise from top: Youth Organizers at the office, out conductinga tour, at the Youth Summit, surveying bus riders in Roxbury.

Amy Gomez is a memberof the Chelsea Collaborativewho has worked on EJ issueswith ACE’s legal program.

I learned about ACE when myneighbor got me involved witha campaign to clean up thetannery company. After ameeting I was moved by howpassionate everyone was-now I've been involved formore than two years.

Chelsea's smothered by a lotof environmentally cruelthings-corporations comehere to do their dirty stuff.With the power plant case,the Chelsea Collaborative

and ACE worked as a teamwith residents.

What got me upset about theplant was the fact that it wasgoing to be put right by aschool, the one my daughterwas going to be attending. Iwas steamed! Chelsea youthalready suffer from a highasthma rate. The companydidn't care-they just wantedto make money.

Thank God we had supportfrom ACE and the ChelseaCollaborative. CombiningACE's legal assistance withthe strength of theCollaborative led us to a bigvictory!

I really praise ACE for havingattorneys involved. I was soastonished and amazed byour pro bono attorneys. Theycome to late night meetings,visit the sites and go theextra step to get informationand work with us-it's wonderful.

Working in partnership

Amy Gomez, MEJAN client and her daughter Sophia

“It's hard to go upagainst big companies, but ifyou want change,our voices have tobe heard.”

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Services provides legal, technical, and capacity building support to resident groupsworking for environmental justice. We coordinate the Massachusetts EnvironmentalJustice Assistance Network (MEJAN), a panel of over 200 lawyers, environmentalengineers, public health professionals and others who work with community groups atno cost on environmental justice issues.

Services Program

Anike Staples-Martin is aREEP Youth Leader fromDorchester.

Hi, I’m Anike and I was thefirst person to complete theREEP Stipend Program. I am16 years old and attendLincoln Sudbury RegionalHigh School. Because schoolis far away, I wanted to bemore involved and contributepositively to the future of mycommunity.

The stipend program was agreat opportunity and experi-ence. It connected me with

important issues and helpedme to become an officialYouth Organizer at REEP.

I'm happy to be here becauseI didn't want my days withREEP to end even though thework was no joke! It wasintense and not as easy as Iexpected.

I'm proud that I stuck it outand was the first to completethe program. Ultimately I'vebecome a smarter personwith a greater understandingof why things are the waythey are and who is behindenvironmental injustices.

With this knowledge, I know Ican proceed to any level.

Developing new leaders

Anike Staples-Martin, ACE Member

“Being part of astrong, positivemovement hasreally shaped howI perceive my community, the residents and ourelected officials.”

Clockwise from top: The Food Project (a MEJAN client), Sidra M. Vitale receiving an award at Jammin’,an environmental nuisance in a residential neighborhood tackled by residents of a MEJAN case.

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Youth Way on the MBTAThis campaign partners youth and adults from REEP, TRU and theBoston-area Youth Organizing Project to improve young people'saccess to public transportation. We are demanding a monthly youthpass for people 12 to 21 years old, costing no more than $10/monthand $12.50 during summer months, available at Charlie Card machinesand MBTA tellers. The current student pass costs $20 and is not avail-able to students who live within two miles of school. Additionally, the student pass can only be used before 8 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday and is invalid during the summer, on holidays andweekends, penalizing youth who need to travel for jobs, extracurricularactivities and sports. Since only about 15 percent of Boston-area youthhave access to the existing student pass, a new youth pass that meetsthe needs of all youth will promote ridership.This summer, young people organized rallies, marches and press con-ferences, and presented the campaign to the MBTA Board of Directors.This led to meetings with MBTA officials and continued our efforts tobuild youth voice and power for securing the youth pass. As part of an action, teens boarded buses with oversize representations of the youth pass.

“Being able tointeract and workwith otherteenagers makesme feel good andbecome a betterperson. One person doesn’tmake REEP. Weall work together.”

-Dashawn Dowell,REEP Youth Organizer

REEP campaigns, October 2007-2008

Working for EJ

REEP students from NewMission High School heldUnity in the Community: AForum of EnvironmentalJustice Service, the culmi-nation of a year of EJ work.Young people presentedworkshops, projects and arton topics like the BostonUniversity bioterrorism lab,public transit and affordablehousing. Then, seniors andrepresentatives of theBoston Police Departmentheld a forum on communitysafety.Panelists from New Mission.

Welcoming teensEvery Thursday, REEPopens a Teen Café, provid-ing a space for young peopleto build community, sharefood and talk openly onissues like drugs, oppressionand environmental justice.

Stipend launchThis year, REEP createda Youth Stipend Programto introduce young peo-ple to EJ issues. Theprogram is a series of 12exercises designed tobuild knowledge andskills. Graduates areawarded a $100 stipend.Responsibilities includeattending trainings, vol-unteering for REEP cam-paigns and events, mem-bership recruitment andcommunity outreach.Conducting outreach in Dudley.

Speaking for peaceYouth from the United Youth and Youth Workers of Boston (UYYWB) coalition, includ-ing REEP, testified before the Boston City Council in April about the need for morepublic funding for youth jobs and programmng. UYYWB members told personal sto-ries about the need for year-round jobs and safe neighborhoods. The meeting washeld by Boston City Councilors Yoon, Yancey and Turner. Youth jam City Hall hearing.

Collective reflectionThis summer, over 300 youngpeople convened at REEP’s YouthSummit to discuss social change,connect to youth-led campaignsand build groundwork for futurecollaboration.

With the theme Resolution forConflict and Drama: In the Heartof the City, the summit providedan opportunity for youth to reflecton issues like violence, transitinequities and healthy relation-ships while enjoying skits anddance performances.Top: REEP in a bus service skit; middle andbottom: workshop participants.

Building connectionsIn February, REEP

youth organizersshadowed localyouth groups tobuild partnershipsand develop fresh

ideas. Activitiesincluded discussing

the effects of early morn-ing schedules on teen learning to rally-ing at the State House against unjustMCAS requirements. At Project HipHop, REEP Youth Leader Handel Dixon(pictured) helped get petitions signed "tobring an end to the Safe HomesInitiative, a policy that is unfair to lowerincome people."

“REEP has inspired me to stand up for what’s right, to never giveup, and most of all, achieve my goals. Through REEP, we get achance to go to decision-makers and state our opinions. It givesus a chance to express ourselves.”

-Shameka Blake-Johnson, REEP Youth Organizer

Stopping diesel pollutionIn December, REEP youth lobbied to pass theDiesel Bill, meeting with representatives from theoffices of Senators Murray, Panagiotakas,Petrucelli and Wilkerson to present findings froma diesel mapping project. This year we alsojoined with partners inChelsea and EastBoston to train over 80youth on diesel air pollu-tion. Afterward, the youthdeveloped educationalmaterials on diesel pollution and reached morethan 600 local residents-youth and adults-through school curriculums, workshops, surveysand community events. Our work helped win a provision in the state’sEnvironmental Bond Bill in June that requires theDepartment of Environmental Protection to deter-mine costs of retrofitting-installing pollution controlequipment-on all state and municipally-owned andcontracted vehicles. This is an important first steptowards statewide diesel reduction legislation.

“Every day, people in ourcommunity, especiallyyouth, are being hurt bydiesel pollution from com-mercial vehicles. We needthe government to take thisissue as seriously as we do.”

-Ronneshia Bolden, REEP Senior Youth Organizer

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