The Environmental Expo will run for 4 weeks from May 15 to June 15. Learn more about the Expo workshops and sign up here.
Mon May 17th, 7pm – 8:30pm
Community Action Works, Basic Organizing
How do you go from a community concern to a winning campaign? Come to this workshop about community organizing to find out! We’ll talk about clarifying what residents are worried about and what change they want to achieve, understanding the pathways to that change, and honing in on the most strategic course of action. These skills are applicable to any issue that may be impacting your community.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Weds May 19th, 6pm- 8pm
Livewell Springfield, Climate Change Health and Equity
The Live Well Springfield Coalition under the Public Health Institute of Western Mass is working to address climate change and health equity issues in Springfield. With funding from the Kresge Foundation, the coalition has identified 2 policies for the Springfield Healthy and Just: Climate Action Resiliency Plan (CARP) to advocate for implementation in Springfield. The coalition is working with a resident and stakeholder committee to narrow and identify four policies that could significantly impact greenhouse gas immersion, health, equity, and racism. The coalition is committed to a clear, transparent, narrowing process that transforms change. Transformation change can be accomplished by keeping the community connected to the process and informed about our community engagement results.
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Thurs May 20th, 7pm – 9pm
Arise, Environment and its deeper connection to capitalism, I.e. housing, voting, census, economics
Our workshop will explore the deep impact that capitalism has on the environment. We will examine how decisions made about housing, voting, and economics relate to environmental justice and who is affected by those decisions.
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Sun May 23rd, 6pm-8pm
TBD, Housing
Learn about housing and how it impacts our communities. You will leave with additional understanding around how housing has been a way to disempower our communities and how our communities can work together to create our own solutions to the housing crisis.
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Tues May 25th, 6pm-8pm
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
Listening to Puerto Rico, Learning from Puerto Rico: Community Response to Climate Disaster in the Aftermath of Hurricane María
Approximately six weeks after deadly Hurricane María made landfall in Puerto Rico, a student-faculty team at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez began a mass-listening project that stretched across the archipelago to collect oral histories and other biographical narratives related to the disaster. While the over 100 collected narratives reveal massive government-level failures in distribution of relief supplies and aid, they simultaneously highlight the courage and ingenuity of individuals and communities who developed innovative strategies to survive the aftermath. In this presentation, members of the UPRM team discuss the project with a focus on food insecurity, including a look at some of the mutual aid groups that were formed in disaster and continue to serve the people through the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion to follow.
Dra. Ricia Anne Chansky with Gabrielle Armstrong Velázquez, Natalia Betancourt Malave, Aleyshka Estevez Quinones, and Yarelis Marcial Acevedo
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Fri May 28th, 6pm-8pm
John Snow Research and Training Institute Inc
Presentation on the results of a study conducted around problem gambling and how it has impacted the City Springfield.
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Wed June 2nd, 6pm-8pm CANCELLED
Jobs with Justice,
Our workshop will consider issues of labor and the job market. We will explore job creation and how green jobs fit into Springfield’s future and the future of safe, reliable, and sustainable employment opportunities.
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Sun June 6th, 6pm-8pm
Biomass
Learn about the resistance to placing a biomass plant in a city that was named the asthma capital of the nation for two years in a row. From revoking the permit at the city level, to battles in court, to a battle at the statehouse and additional rulings, this has been a rollercoaster for a community that can not afford any additional pollution for it’s vulnerable youth and elders.
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Tues June 10th, 6pm-8pm
Lower Valley Mutual Aid
Based on a Solidarity, not Charity model; Looks at creating new systems, when the current one failed us. The time is now for us to step into our power as a community. We are in a moment in history that will decide who we are, and where we want to go. The hope of the Neighbor to Neighbor Mutual Aid Lower Valley is that the crises we are living through will bring us closer together, and bring safety, peace of mind, and good health to each member of our community. As your neighbors, we are reaching out to ask for your help in fulfilling this hope, in whatever way you can. We are asking you to step up and play an active role in building true relationships within your community, while giving support to your neighbors during this difficult time. Today might be their turn to receive help, but tomorrow might be their turn to provide it.
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Sun June 13th, 1pm-2:30pm
Resistance Center
Our workshop will discuss the impact of the military industrial complex and the effect that increased militarization has on communities and the environment.
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Mon June 14th, 7pm-8pm
Community Action Works, Basic Organizing Skills
How do you go from a community concern to a winning campaign? Come to this workshop about community organizing to find out! We’ll talk about clarifying what residents are worried about and what change they want to achieve, understanding the pathways to that change, and honing in on the most strategic course of action. These skills are applicable to any issue that may be impacting your community.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Tue June 15th, 6pm-8pm
Neighbor to Neighbor Presents
The story of Gerena: Its past and present: Where does it go from here?
Neighbor to Neighbor presents an exploration of the German Gerena Community School. This workshop will look at Gerena’s past and the crucial role it has played in the community, how that role has changed and what those changes will mean for the future of Gerena and the North End.
Register in advance for this meeting: