DataCenter is pleased to invite Bay Area Environmental Justice organizations to join us for two days of training and strategizing to build our research capacity and create more successful grassroots organizing campaigns.

When: Wednesday, February 1st, and Thursday, February 2nd, 2012, 9 AM to 4 PM (both days)

Where: Central Building, 436 14th St, 2nd Floor, Downtown Oakland

(Location made possible through a generous in-kind donation by the Akonadi Foundation)

Guest presenters will include Michael James, Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, Youth United for Community Action (YUCA) and the Pacific Institute.

About the Training Academy

The DataCenter believes research is a key element in the struggle for environmental justice. Research helps ensure communities can effectively access knowledge, leverage that knowledge to make their voices heard, and turn research into informed, calculated and strategic action, building their own political power grounded in the strength of their own culture and community — to create positive social change. This Academy is a unique and intensive capacity-building program that combines various forms of learning in a safe, supportive, and stimulating setting for organizers at the forefront of the environmental justice movement.

The annual Environmental Justice Training Academy began in 2007 and is designed to:

• Increase the effectiveness of community based organizations working to improve the environmental health in low income communities in the Bay Area
• Build research capacity and support critical data-collection skills.
• Facilitate equitable research collaborations between low-income communities and research institutions.
• Train organizers and community members to conduct their own research.

Generously funded by the Environment Program of the San Francisco Foundation, this training is provided at no cost to the participating organization. Each organization is encouraged to send a minimum of two participants to better ensure that knowledge and skills are transferred back to the organization. Breakfast and lunch will be included.

All Academy participants will receive:

• A resource binder and accompanying tools to replicate trainings with their staff and community.
• A 1 hour, pro-bono consultation with an experienced DataCenter staff member following the Academy to help facilitate the implementation of all the tools and skills that will be acquired during the Academy.

Past Participants Talk About the Academy

Past participants in the Academy include the Asian Pacific Islander Environmental Network, representatives of the Winnemem Wintu tribe, Youth United for Community Action, Greenaction, and the Pacific Institute.

What they are saying:

“Research seems less painful and there are numerous sources to use to find the information you need.  I will use this in helping my staff do research for their campaigns.”

“It will definitely improve the way I approach policy makers.  I will be better prepared.”

“There were a lot of resources provided…and how those resources can be used for our community and specific EJ Issues of our community.  I can use the info in future campaigns and recruitment efforts.”

How to Apply

If your organization is community-based with a history of grassroots capactiy-building and leadership development, we hope you will take advantage of this valuable opportunity to expand your strategic research capacity and, thus, strengthen your Environmental Justice campaigns and community.

Please complete the online Environmental Justice Training Academy Application form.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3YDG8HS

Please submit one form per organization by January 15th, 2012. Space is limited, so please fill out your application ASAP! The Academy is open to community-based organizations working on environmental justice issues within the Bay Area and greater California.

For questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Jinee Kim Rebouh, Lead Consultant (jineerebouh@gmail.com; 415.987.1016).

By Miho Kim | Executive Director

DataCenter has partnered with the Washington, D.C.-based Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG), a national philanthropic affinity group of social justice grantmaking institutions, to design and conduct a membership-wide survey for longitudinal use and in preparation for a strategic planning process to commence in January 2011. The data generated from the survey is designed to provide NFG with an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of the member foundations and their current relationship to and involvement with NFG. This will inform NFG’s future strategic direction, programming and services.
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By Christina Fletes | Research Fellow

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DataCenter shared information on how to design a survey?from the types of questions to the structure of the survey. We led activities in which retreat participants were able to practice writing survey questions, learn about the qualities of good and bad questions, and dialogue about what they were learning. During group discussions, we came to understand the importance of having each and everyone one of us present. Sometimes while discussing a question we would hear from those with previous survey experience. This helped us understand the effectiveness of the question and the ways in which to modify it. At other times, domestic workers would give us unique input on why a question was confusing or was not getting to the core of the issue.

This week was a testament to why participatory research, like the one the DataCenter engages in, is so important to organizing our communities and pushing for change. We all bring unique experiences, knowledge and expertise.

By Haruki Eda, DataCenter Fall 2010 Intern

Miho and I, as a new DataCenter intern, co-facilitated this workshop during the National Youth Organizing Training Institute (NYOTI) by School of Unity and Liberation (SOUL), hosted at Center for Third World Organizing (CTWO) in Oakland.  A total of 15 youth organizers from the Bay Area, New York City, Boston, and Arizona actively engaged in activities and shared in discussions, to learn the why and how of using research for their work.  Our aim was to demystify research and investigation, and to reframe it as a strategic tool to build the power behind their voices in campaigns.

We began with a bingo game that reaffirmed we are already using research every day, and that our communities are experts.  “Of course we are experts in our lives, we know that! But what does society say about youth of color?” Miho asked.  “Problems,” “criminals,” “stupid,” the participants replied.  When Miho asked how they and their own communities see themselves as youth of color, however, we heard “We are the future!” “Strong!” “Beautiful!” “Smart!”… It was very powerful.
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