Solutions for Humanity, Community, and the Environment is currently involved in the
following events/activities:
Find an Hour Mini-Planning Retreat.
(2011). Solutions-HCE's Executive Director lead a multi-jurisdictional group of professionals through a strategic
planning process. This mini-retreat focused upon vision and values development, setting strategic objectives, goal
prioritization, and resource assessment.
7th Annual "Women of Color Cancer and Health Awareness Day: Live, Laugh,
Love." (2011). Solutions-HCE's Executive Director was invited to MC this important community event aimed
at raising cancer awareness and promoting health in communities of color. The event, hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church,
included keynote speaker Dr. Natalie Ellington, in addition to featuring activities for women, young ladies, and community
members.
First
Creek Middle School's "RSVP" Program. (2011). Solutions-HCE's Executive Director works collectively with other
concerned parties to improve student performance at First Creek Middle School in Tacoma. Invited to participate
in this hands-on approach, the Executive Director serves as a co-facilitator bridging discussions between middle-school students
and educators during this innovative process.
Seattle University School of Environmental Law. (2011).
Solutions-HCE's Executive Director participated in a panel discussion on Environmental Justice in the Northwest at Seattle
University. Solutions-HCE focused upon the topic, "Humanity in the Context of Environmentalism: Sustainability
and Interdependence." Other panel members presented represented the Environmental Protection Agency, the Community
Coalition for Environmental Justice, and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition.
Find an Hour Campaign. (2011). The Solutions-HCE Chair and Executive Director participate
in this consortium in support of enhancing educational outcomes locally. To learn more about the campaign,
please contact Tacoma 360 at www.tacoma360.org
Environmental
Protection Agency. (2011). Executive Director was invited by the EPA to join a panel discussion on how to incorporate equity
into practices at the EPA. Solutions-HCE appreciates it's long-standing partnership with the EPA.
Governor's Interagency Council
on Health Disparities - Education Advisory Committee. (2009). Chair Bates currently sits on the Education Advisory Committee
for the GICHD, advocating for the elimination of the achievement gap, as education is viewed as a human right.
Puget Sound Regional Council.
(2009). A letter was submitted with regards to the DEIS proposed by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC).
Information and education were provided with regards to environmental justice elements proposed by the PSRC, and several major
corrections were recommended in order to assist the PSRC in removing biased language from the document. Further, it
was recommended that the PSRC address the potential for disparate impacts upon populations, as is the purpose of ensuring
fair environmental burdens. The current language does not seem to reveal legitimate efforts aimed at ensuring that
environmental impacts and burdens would be actively addressed.
The Black Collective of Pierce County. (2009). A Solutions
representative prepared a short briefing for the Political Action Committee of the Black Collective of Pierce County regarding
the status of Environmental Justice issues, local concerns, Executive Order 12898, and the relationship between environmental
conditions and human health.
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Advisory Council Environmental Justice Representative. (Appointment). Amy Bates,
Chair of Solutions, was appointed by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) to represent environmental justice issues in
the Puget Sound region on their Advisory Council. The Advisory Council meets on a monthly basis in Seattle, Washington.
Chair Bates is an active participant, educating on behalf of under-served populations with regards to the impacts of environmental
policy and the relationship between air quality and human health.
Bioregion Training Workshop with Evergreen State College and the University
of Washington, Tacoma. (2009). Solutions was invited as a guest lecturer and local expert during this seminar aimed
at providing continuing education for social and environmental scientists, instructors, and college professors. Solutions
offered a presentation aimed at clarifying the relationship between the social determinants of health, human health, environmental
policy, and sustainability.
Environmental Justice Lecture at Pierce Community College (Ft. Steilacoom). (2008). A Solutions
representative was invited as a guest lecturer at Pierce College, focusing upon environmental justice and the relationship
between humans, health, and the environment.
Bioregion Training Workshop with Evergreen
State College (Olympia). (2008). During this two-day workshop held in rural Pierce County, Solutions presented information
about environmental justice, the social determinants of health, and the relationship between human health and environmental
policy. The audience for this two-day session included instructors from Puget Sound area universities and colleges,
local experts, environmentalists and scientists.
Forum on Environmental Public Health Tracking. (May 2008).
A Solutions representative will attend this one-day-training in SeaTac, WA.
Washington State Department
of Ecology. (May 2008). A Solutions representative plans to attend a GMAP session at WA ECY in Lacey, WA.
Environmental Justice Workshop. (May 2008). A Solutions representative attended this one-day-training
offered by the Environmental Protection Agency (Region 10) in Seattle Washington.
Puget Sound Partnership
- Human Health Forum. (April 2008). A Solutions representative participated in this forum, which was held at the Tacoma
Landmark, in Tacoma. Solutions promoted the inclusion of diverse communities in environmental policy planning, implementation,
and enforcement. Solutions explained that, based upon the EPA's definition of Environmental Justice, the inclusion of
diverse populations is necessary, otherwise an injustice is affected upon impacted and excluded communities. Further,
Solutions affirmed that environmental concerns such as safe communities, walkable neighborhoods, and relative access to healthy
food choices. Solutions seeks to educate policy makers and other environmental interests in regards to the relationship
between environmental equity and health.
Gov. Interagency Council on Health Disparities. (Ongoing
2007 - 2008). A Solutions representative participates and communicates in order to provide information in regards to
Environmental Justice concerns that result in health disparities.
Lead CAP Advisory Committee Member:
Washington State Department of Ecology. (Ongoing 2007-2008). A Solutions representative was invited to participate on
this important Advisory Committee. Solutions advocated for intentional consideration of communities suffering from
multiple sources of lead exposure. Further, Solutions requested that the committee take a community approach when
addressing lead concerns, rather than the current method that looks at individual sources, but fails to address cumulative
impacts. Solutions advocated that the precautionary principle be used when addressing areas with the potential
for disparate impacts due to multiple sources of lead exposure.
Health Coalition
for Communities of Color. Tacoma, Washington (2008). A Solutions representative participates in this grass-roots
organization for the purpose of learning more about the concerns of communities of color, current projects aimed at addressing
health issues, and working towards eliminating health disparities.
Washington State Department of
Health: Race and Obesity. (December, 2007). A recent study in Seattle, Washington links obesity rates with population
locations within the city. The researcher presents his study methods and findings.
Collaborative
on Health and the Environment (CHE-WA) meeting at Antioch University. (December, 2007). A Solutions representative
attended this meeting for the purpose of determining potential environmental justice partnerships within the Puget Sound bioregion.
Partnerships were established with appropriate agency personnel.
Pierce County Coalition for Environmental
Health Priorities (December, 2007). Solutions will participate in this meeting with the Pierce County Board of Health
officials.
Honoring Cultural Communities of in an EBP World 2007 Conference (December, 2007).
Solutions will participate in this conference for the purpose of assessing Evidence Based Practices (EBP) and further strengthening
human-environmental advocacy potential within the organization and community.
Select Committee on Environmental
Health. (November, 2007). A Solutions representative attended this hearing at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington
in support of eliminating the use of lead in children's products. Solutions also supported actions aimed at reducing
human exposure to mold-related pathogens/allergens, which are closely associated with sub-standard housing.
Public
Health Grand Rounds. (November, 2007). Participated in broadcast event in support of community health promotion.
Health Coalition for Communities of Color (HC3) Meeting at Allen. (November, 2007). A Solutions
representative attended this meeting and confirmed membership for the purpose of assisting communities of color in promoting
healthy communities.
City of Tacoma Community Advisory Panel Meeting (November, 2007). Solutions
elected to participate in this advisory panel. Additional information will be provided at a later date.
Social
Justice and Global Warming (November, 2007). A Solutions representative met with Van Jones in Seattle at the Community Forum:
"Social Justice and Global Warming." Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Grass roots Seattle community
leaders and Solutions are networking with Van Jones to find ways to resolve social, economic and environmental disparities.
"The chief moral obligation of the 21st Century is to build a green economy that is strong enough to lift people out
of poverty. Those communities that were locked out of the last century's pollution-based economy must be locked into the new,
clean and renewable economy. Our youth need green-collar jobs, not jails." - Van Jones
Washington
Toxic's Coalition (October, 2007). Solutions was invited to attend this annual event, which took place in Seattle, Washington. The
Washington Toxic's Coalition (WTC) seeks to reduce toxic chemical exposure, particularly as it relates to the exposure
of children.
We Can Do Better (October, 2007). A Solutions representative attended
this community based collaborative sponsored by the Pierce County Medical Society, TPCHD, Franciscan Health Systems, MultiCare
Health System, Centro Latino, Community Health Care, and the Eastside Lutheran Mission. The objective of the collaborative
was to cooperatively problem-solve for the purpose of developing a sustainable healthcare system in Pierce County. Solutions
advocated for equitable healthcare for all of Pierce County's diverse populations, in addition to equitable outcomes.
Puget SoundKeeper Alliance's Annual Salute to the Sound (October,2007). Solutions supported this annual
event hosted by the Puget SoundKeeper Alliance, which was held in Seattle at the Seattle Aquarium. Puget SounKeeper
Alliance is an environmental advocacy organization that enforces the Clean Water Act. The Puget SoundKeeper Alliance
is a member organization of the WaterKeeper Alliance.
Washington State Public Health Association
Joint Conference on Health (October, 2007). Solutions worked collaboratively staff at Tacoma-Pierce County Health
Department (TPCHD), and conducted a presentation and round-table discussion on the relationship between environmental and
public health.
Health Care for Pierce County (October, 2007). Solutions participated in a
group discussion aimed at creating a model healthcare system for Washington State. Solutions contributions focused upon
access and equity in health care.
Tacoma-Pierce County Earth Charter Committee Meeting (May, 2007).
Solutions-HCE was represented during this meeting wherein Carolyn Hartt and Sylvia Hoodenpyle presented the need for more
collaboration among groups in our area working toward a socially and environmentally sustainable future for all.
Local Hazardous Waste Management Plan Update Advisory Group (May, 2007). Solutions-HCE provided
a representative for this advisory group. Work is currently ongoing at this time.
Pierce County Coalition for Environmental Health
Priorities (May, 2007). Solutions offered a presentation to the Coalition in regards to environmental justice.
Environmental Justice was defined for participants, and international and national examples provided. The
presentation was opened up for discussion following the presentation.
City of Tacoma Environment and Public Works Committee
Meeting (May, 2007). Solutions-HCE offered a short presentation to the committee in regards to Environmental Justice issues
in Tacoma, Washington. Analysis information was also provided for public and City Council Member review.
This meeting took place at the Tacoma Municipal Building.
