I’ve often pondered what I have done for my family, friends and community of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where I’ve been a resident for 17 years. Because I wanted to do something meaningful for those close to my community and I, I researched organizations in the neighborhood. Before long, I found Brooklyn’s oldest Latino Community based (non-profit) organization that works towards social, environmental and climate justice. In July 2014, I joined UPROSE and became a youth justice member. I went through several trainings including environmental justice and community organizing. Through my time at UPROSE, I was able to develop skills in public speaking, communication and facilitation. UPROSE also helped me improve my analytical thinking, organizing and creative problem solving. Now I am using …show more content…
I asked a senior youth organizer if I could be a group leader in guiding young people during one of UPROSE’s Toxic Tours through Sunset Park, explaining the environmental burdens in the community and how they affect us. As we walked along Third Avenue, I talked about the 275,000 vehicles that pass over the Gowanus Expressway each day releasing toxins like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter 2.5 causing people who live in Sunset Park to develop serious illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease, upper respiratory diseases and cancer. The elevated expressway paired with a very congested 4th avenue pose a great threat to those residing in between. In fact, I learned of a woman who lived on 23rd Street between these avenues who developed bronchitis after only living in the house for 5 years. There have been studies that show a correlation between environmentally burdened communities, typically low income, and levels of upper respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, this is not the only environmental burden Sunset park is forced to live