November 2021 EJGP Newsletter |
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The days grow shorter. The air gets colder. And everybody is in need of a break! Before you take yours, please read on for some important updates. Let’s build an equitable and just Greater Pittsburgh together! |
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November Full Network Meeting |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our November full network meeting this week! Laura Poskin and Randi Vega of Age Friendly Greater Pittsburgh presented the results of their early 2021 survey on experiences with aging in Allegheny County. Additional resources from both presentations can be found in both meeting notes below: Age Friendly Greater Pittsburgh Attachments:
Two-page survey results summary
Slides used in our meeting
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From the EJGP Project Team Desk |
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Our third American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) info guide is now online! This guide lists and describes the different programs and projects that the federal administration is funding across many areas - from agriculture to veterans affairs. Many of these programs and projects will impact issue areas that EJGP network participants are working in—if their impact hasn’t been felt already! Check out the info guide here: |
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In mid-October, Nthando Thandiwe of the Pittsburgh Budget and Policy Center and EJGP coordinator Jason Beery met with a group from Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania to discuss ARPA and its local impacts. Representatives from several local foundations and grant-making organizations joined to learn about what money was coming to the region, how the money had been allocated already, and how they could help ensure the equitable, transparent, and community-led distribution of the ARPA funds. |
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On October 26th, four City of Pittsburgh councilpersons introduced the Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law. Unfortunately, after revisions, the proposed legislation has fallen short of its intent to protect residents from the primary routes of lead exposure. After campaign supporters expressed their concerns, the bill was put on hold, delaying a vote on the bill. The Get the Lead Out campaign is looking for supporters to help engage City of Pittsburgh councilpersons. You may have heard in the news recently that the Center for Disease Control has recently lowered the level that it uses to identify children with elevated blood lead levels, from 5 micrograms per deciliter to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. According to Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) chief epidemiologist LuAnn Brink, this change means that around an additional 200 children or so in the county (based on 2020 data) will be considered to have elevated blood lead levels. That will make those children and their families eligible for ACHD’s free home lead investigation program. Approximately 300 children had elevated blood levels already at the 5 micrograms per deciliter level. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. |
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Fair Fares for a Full Recovery |
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The Fair Fares for a Full Recovery Coalition met recently with representatives from two organizations from Kansas City that were instrumental in creating and running that region’s “zero fare” program. As members continue to learn from successful policies elsewhere, the campaign continues to build its base of support for a low-income fare program for public transit in Allegheny County. If you would like to join the bi-weekly planning meetings or learn more about the campaign, contact Sam Applefield at sam@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org. |
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If you would like to be more involved, contact Sam Applefield at sam@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org |
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Over the last several months, concerned neighborhood groups in Churchill and Lawrenceville have been organizing in opposition to proposed Amazon facilities in their neighborhoods. These groups have come together with Pittsburgh United and other organizations to push back against large-scale developers, such as Amazon, and to advocate for responsible, people-centered development across Allegheny County. They ask you to sign their letter calling for responsible development! |
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To get involved or learn more, contact Dan Davis, dan@pittsburghunited.org |
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Join the Network and Share Your Neighborhood and Topic Area Updates and Information! |
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Interested in sharing 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 Visit our website www.ejgp.org and leave your email to sign up for our newsletter! |
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Equitable and Just Greater Pittsburgh is a network convened by UrbanKind Institute. Visit our website to learn more: www.urbankind.org |
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