Mission

Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ) is an urban environmental education and youth empowerment organization created specifically to address the unique ecological and social concerns of Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco, and the surrounding communities of Mission, Potrero Hill, Visitacion Valley, and Excelsior. LEJ engages urban youth in traditional environmental problems by drawing concrete linkages between the state of human health, the environment, and urban quality of life. Through experience they have learned that once these inter-relationships are recognized many young people feel compelled to become involved in the cause of creating a "livable" city. Students leave their programs with skills and a shared experience of positive and visible work.

Issues

Toxics, Environmental health, Renewable Energy, Air Quality, Renewable Resources, Water Pollution, Habitat Restoration, Urban Redevelopment, Environmental Design, Wetlands/Endangered Species, Education, Community organizing, Food security, Sustainable Communities, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Racism

Activities

Education, Organizing, Leadership Development, Community Capacity Building, Youth Employment

Programs/
Projects

LEJ staff members teach and/or employ young people to research, design and organize educational, neighborhood improvement projects. LEJ offers free educational programs for public schools and paid high school youth leadership programs. LEJ works both in the public school system and in partnership with other community-based organizations. Environmental Justice Projects typically focus on a current community initiative such as air quality, environmental health or a redevelopment project. Currently, there are six LEJ environmental justice projects. Heron's Head Park is a wetland ecology and wetland restoration project. The Living Classroom -- to be completed in 2003 -- will be an off-the-grid greenhouse and classroom at Heron's Head Park, and an educational model for alternative energy systems and sustainable design. Youth IMPACT is a youth-led evaluation of city-funded youth service agencies. Youth Envision employs and trains high school-aged youth as community organizers around Bayview's food security and environmental justice initiatives. Youth Promoting Green Energy employs youth to promote renewable energy and to organize for the shut-down of the Hunters Point Power Plant. Finally, Slough Youth is a watershed monitoring project-based employment program that trains youth ages 16-20 in wetlands monitoring at Yosemite Slough in Bayview Hunters Point.

Constitutency

Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco, and the surrounding communities of Mission, Potrero Hill, Visitacion Valley, and Excelsior; Youth; Low income communities of color.

Geographical Focus

Southeast San Francisco

Staff

11

Youth Interns

40 paid

Volunteers

5

Membership Base

Membership by fee includes semi-annual newsletter and action alerts

Publications

Semi-annual newsletter

Annuual Budget

$500,000 - $1,000,000

Year Founded

1998