Project Grant 97791501

DESCRIPTION: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARP FUNDED GRANT IS TO ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICES CAUSED BY THE AUTO-CENTRIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN COLUMBIA, MO, WHICH PUTS LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AT HIGHER RISK OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH HARMS (E.G., AIR POLLUTION, ASTHMA, COVID-19, LOW ACCESS TO RESOURCES) AND EXCLUDES THEM FROM DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES THAT CAN CREATE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS. ACTIVITIES: THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON COLUMBIA'S FIVE VISION ZERO PRIORITY NEIGHBORHOODS AND WILL PARTNER WITH RESIDENT LEADERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE EQUITY AND CLIMATE ACTION MISSIONS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION (E.G., DOOR KNOCKING, NEWSLETTERS, AWARENESS CAMPAIGN), GATHER INPUT AND ASSESS NEEDS (E.G., COMMUNITY MEETINGS, AUDITS OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES, STREET ISSUE MAPPING APP), AND EMPOWER RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH DECISION-MAKERS. OUTCOMES: PROJECT OUTPUTS WILL INCLUDE: RESIDENTS REACHED THROUGH DOOR-TO-DOOR OUTREACH AND NEWSLETTERS, COMMUNITY MEETINGS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC NEEDS AUDITS, AND EMPOWERED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO ENGAGING IN DECISION-MAKING. LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES INCLUDE: DECREASED EMISSIONS AND AIR POLLUTION AND INCREASED ACCESS TO DECISION-MAKING AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. BENEFICIARIES ARE THE RESIDENTS OF COLUMBIA, MO. SUBRECIPIENT: RACE MATTERS- FRIENDS WILL WORK WITH PEDNET IN COMMUNICATING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SHARING INFORMATION ON TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, HELPING TO PROMOTE PROJECT ACTIVITIES, ASSISTING WITH DOOR KNOCKING AND DISTRIBUTING DOOR HANGERS.