This summer Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ) and Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice collaborated to create and lead the Summer Youth Leadership Academy (SYLA). Ten youth were chosen to participate in a community investigation around the air quality in Bayview Hunter’s Point. The youth went around the 94124 area with portable air monitors, graciously loaned by the Crissy Field Center, to measure Particulate Matter 2.5. In the five-week-long program, the youth successfully collected 75 readings of air quality. You can click here to view this link to an online map to see their data.
The ten youth also had the opportunity to learn about other forms of pollution that affect BVHP, solutions to help, and practiced different forms of advocacy. For one, they learned about diesel idling and shared with local truck drivers what are the consequences if they do. They learned how to use the website IVAN, to report any forms of pollution. The youth went around a local shopping plaza letting residents know about this wonderful resource. They also got to put their hands on the land by working in LEJ’s native plant nursery to learn how plants help clean the air, soil, and help improve the Earth. The youth also had the opportunity to create their own household cleaning products, made from natural ingredients, to help improve the air quality in their homes and the environment. Lastly, the SYLA youth and SF Rec and Parks Greenagers had the chance to go on an overnight camping trip right here in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area where they got the chance to share about what each of their programs they are learning. For many of the youth, it was their first time camping in tents and their first time ever kayaking!
Over these five weeks, SYLA had participated in so many other activities and adventures, but what most notable was that the youth presented to two very important meetings. The ten youth presented what they have learned in the program, what they did, and their findings on their air monitoring study. On July 16th, SYLA presented at the BMagic Conveners Meeting to an audience of about 50 BVHP leaders, advocates, and organizers. Then on July 17th, SYLA presented to the BVHP Environmental Justice Task Force in front of 40 BVHP finest leaders, advocates, and residences. You can find the youth’s presentation here.
We were so happy to have worked on this wonderful summer program with Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice and loved working with our ten amazing youth!
If you have questions about this project please contact the co-leaders for the project: