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Dear Community,
August is a month of profound growth and impactful initiatives for UPROSE. As we continue our journey to champion climate justice, we're excited to unveil a significant milestone that promise a brighter, more sustainable future for our community.
π± The Climate Justice Center β A new expansion on August 18th
We're thrilled to announce the expansion of our space, aptly named "The Climate Justice Center." Set to open its doors on August 18th, this center will serve as a hub for climate activism, community engagement, and just transitions. Positioned at the heart of our mission, The Climate Justice Center is not just a spaceβit's a commitment. A commitment to nurturing local leaders, incubating green projects, and fostering a collaborative spirit to face the challenges of our changing climate.
August promises to be a month of collective progress. We're taking the frontline led, radical, transformative steps demanded by climate change and the political moment. Be part of the process of operationalizing our collective reimagined future and mark your calendars! We can't wait to share, collaborate, and build.
With love, care and expansion,
Elizabeth and the UPROSE team
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To the opposition of the new respite site for new migrants in Sunset Park, here is a response from our staff members: | Andrew Seger / Fordham University | |
Dear community members of Sunset Park and beyond,
With warmth and a shared sense of responsibility, we, the Asian staff members of UPROSE, reach out to you. Our diverse community, the tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories, is one of our most enduring strengths, and it is this diversity that fuels our vibrant spirit. As we pen this letter, we are deeply moved by the opening of the new migrant respite center in Sunset Park. The center isnβt just a symbol of hospitality; it embodies our shared values of compassion, resilience, and unity. Many of our ancestors, not too long ago, set foot on unfamiliar shores, filled with dreams and aspirations but equally laden with uncertainties and fears. It is the support from communities like ours that turned those uncertainties into opportunities and those fears into hopes.
In the heart of this bustling city, amidst the blending aromas of international cuisines, the sounds of countless languages, and the colors of varied traditions, stands this respite centerβa haven for new migrants. It stands as a beacon, signaling to them that they are not alone, that they are welcomed, and that their dreams are valid. In standing in solidarity with the migrants who arrive in our community, we are not just upholding our collective values but are also celebrating the diverse strands that make our community fabric so robust and beautiful. Every story, every journey adds a layer of richness to our shared narrative. We must remember that at various points in history, many of our families were the newcomers, the outsiders seeking acceptance and opportunity.
We call upon you, our cherished community members, to support this initiative. Extend a hand, share a smile, volunteer your time, or even just spread the word about the center's mission. Together, letβs ensure that Sunset Park remains a shining example of what true community spirit looks like. In a world that is sometimes divided by borders and beliefs, let us be the bridge of understanding, compassion, and unity. For in supporting our newest neighbors, we strengthen not just their futures, but our own as well.
With deepest respect and hope for our collective future,
Asian Staff Members, UPROSE
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Introducing UPROSE's Climate Justice Interns!
Visit our website to learn more about them + the rest of our talented team
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Allahji Barry
Allahji (he/him), born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, is a rising senior in the Berkeley Carroll School of Caribbean and African descent. Despite still being enrolled in high school, he is a passionate advocate passionate for environmentalism, studies of undocumented immigration, and spreading awareness of racial prejudice. He seeks to combine his passions of programming, chemistry, and filming to give voice to the unheard. Through his work, he aspires to shed light on societal issues and make a positive impact on the world. In his free time, he likes to read, play chess, and explore nature.
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Elva Gao
Elva (she/her) is a Climate Justice Intern at UPROSE and will be a junior at Hunter College this fall, where she is majoring in environmental science. Her interest in the environment was sparked by her first job at the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, where she took care of bioswales, a native plants nursery, pruning, and more. She was also certified as a citizen pruner by Tree New York. Elva hopes to explore different fields of environmental study and learn more about environmental justice during her time in the program. Her hobbies include drawing, taking scenery photos, and sleeping.
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JC Venus Villon
JC Venus (she/her) is a second-generation Sunset Park Native of Dominican and Ecuadorian descent, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology while minoring in Latin American, Iberian, and Latina/o Studies at Bryn Mawr College. Growing up in Sunset Park, she has actively organized and fought against injustices in her community, particularly focusing on housing rights. In her free time, she enjoys reading, music, art, and traveling with family and friends.
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Leon Fu
Leonidas (he/him), also known as Leon, is an 18 year old artist. He is going to school in the School of Visual Arts in September and is going to study Graphic Design. Leon is also learning how to skateboard. Leonidas is excited to learn about climate justice this summer!
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Reimagining the BQE β See you on August 16th!
Before we open our new center, we invite you to join us on August 16th for a transformative gathering: "Reimagining the BQE." The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has long been an emblem of urban infrastructure. As we strive to reshape our urban landscape in a climate-conscious manner, this gathering will explore visionary ideas to reinvent the BQE for the 21st century. Your thoughts, insights, and passion can play a pivotal role in turning these visions into reality.
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Our Climate Week Forum this coming September | |
On July 22, 2023, Sunset Park was alive with more than just the hum of a summer's day; it was the heart of a community coming together in unity and purpose. Our team at UPROSE transformed the front of our building into a sanctuary space of celebration, learning, and activism with our Climate Justice Block Party. As laughter and music rippled through the air, attendees were given a rare and beautiful opportunity to delve deep into the essential work UPROSE has been pioneering for climate justice. Every dance, every conversation, every shared meal was a testament to the power of community and the importance of collective action. It wasn't just a block party; it was a beacon of hope for a brighter, more sustainable future. π | |
What We Are Following in the News | |
New migrant respite center in Sunset Park draws opposition from first-generation immigrants
August 6: Article Link
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The 2023 Brooklyn Power 100
The political royalty of Kings County.
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UPROSE is an intergenerational, multi-racial, nationally-recognized, women of color-led, grassroots organization that promotes sustainability and resiliency through community organizing, education, leadership development and cultural/artistic expression in Brooklyn, New York. | |
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