Happy February, everyone! The groundhog predicts six more weeks of winter, but we move on with the sun in our hearts! Here are some updates to keep you warm. Let’s build an equitable and just Greater Pittsburgh together!

EJGP Meetings

February Full Network Meeting

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first meeting of 2022! Stephanie Lewis of Remake Learning and Chef Claudy Pierre of The EAT Initiative shared their perspectives on challenges and ongoing work in the local education and food justice areas. They also spoke to the vital connection between education and food. Following the speakers, the 70+ attendees engaged in a rich conversation about creating an equitable and just education and food system. Check out the links below for the meeting notes and resources that were shared in the chat!

Check out the links below for the meeting notes and resources that were shared in the chat!

2022 Meeting Schedule

To allow everyone more time to plan to attend our network meetings, we’ve set the schedule for the year!

Our meetings will be:

Tuesday, Apr 12, 9-10:30 a.m. 
Tuesday, Jun 14, 9-10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug 9, 9-10:30 a.m. 
Tuesday, Oct 11, 9-10:30 a.m. 
Tuesday, Dec 6, 9-10:30 a.m. 

Zoom links and calendar invites will follow. 
 

From the Desk of EJGP

Numbered Platform

Version 1.3 of the Platform for an Equitable and Just Greater Pittsburgh is now available on our website. In this version, all of the items are now numbered! We hope that having numbers for each item will make it easier to use and refer to the platform. 

We encourage everyone to refer to the platform items in your campaigns!

For example, are you working to get lead out of schools, you might include in your materials:

This proposal lifts up the following items from the EJGP Platform:

Environment 1.6: Replace lead pipes and mitigate environmental lead and other hazardous elements/materials especially in places frequented by children.

Health 6.0: Prioritize funding for schools that invest in infrastructure and advance environmental health strategies”

EJGP Survey

We’re continuing to collect feedback on your experiences with EJGP and what you’d like to see in the future. Please complete the short survey below. Thank you to those who have filled it out already!

Campaign Updates

Get the Lead Out

The Get the Lead Out campaign has been working with City of Pittsburgh Councilpeople and their offices to build out the new Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law. In preparation for the May 2022 rollout of the law, the Get the Lead Out Pittsburgh campaign and the City of Pittsburgh are creating four committees that will convene stakeholders to create equitable action steps for implementation. All committees will have participation from community partners and the City. If you are interested in joining a committee, see the information below.If you are interested in joining a committee, see the information below.The committees are: 

Policy & Regulation Development

Committee members will provide input on the regulations developed for lead inspections in rental homes and child-occupied facilities, and lead-safe demolitions. They will review the ordinance language and ensure its intent is reflected in new city policies and regulations.
 

Budget & Financing

This committee will identify existing and potential funding sources for lead hazard remediation in homes, vacant lots, and child-occupied spaces. Public and private sources of funding will be explored.

Communications & Training

This committee will have two areas of focus. First, outreach to each of the audiences impacted by the ordinance (ex: renters, landlords, childcare center directors, contractors). Second, coordinating and promoting lead safety training for contractors. They will collaborate with the City on the communication and branding of the ordinance’s implementation and progress.

Water

This committee will collaborate with Public Works to inventory city-owned/leased properties where children spend time, and ensure certified filters are installed at all sources of drinking water and cooking stations in these spaces. They will also coordinate communication with the four water authorities serving City of Pittsburgh residents about the need to cease all partial lead service line replacements.
 

If you are interested in joining any of these committees, please contact info@gettheleadout.org

Fair Fares for a Full Recovery

Image from www.pittsburghersforpubilctransit.org

The Fair Fares for a Full Recovery Coalition is developing a proposal for how a Fair Fares program might operate. They are taking into consideration the feedback that they’ve received from bus riders and bus drivers about opportunities and concerns about such a program. They welcome more input and involvement from others!

If you would like to join the bi-weekly planning meetings or learn more about the campaign, contact Sam Applefield at sam@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org. 

Get Involved!

Join the Network to Share Your Neighborhood and Topic Area Updates and Information

Want to share your upcoming initiatives and events with our network? Here’s how:
 

1. Follow us @ejgppgh on Facebook and Instagram
2. Email your upcoming event petition, report, survey, job opportunity, or #EJGPtopic related event to info@ejgp.org
3. Don’t forget to include any vital information such as deadlines, registration links, and/or eligibility criteria
4. Like, follow, and share our #EJGPtopics post to grow the network!

 
Looking for information related to a specific topic? Search the hashtags #ejgpfood #ejgphousing #ejgplivelihoods #ejgpenvironment 
#ejgpeducation #ejgptransportation #ejgphealth #ejgpneighborhoods 
 
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