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The Imperial County, where CCV was founded and continues to operate, has had a long history of environmental degradation, mainly due to the heavy presence of agricultural and military operations and the Salton Sea. The local community of Imperial County is predominantly Latinx and low-income and suffers from a range of environmental health problems, including respiratory illness, cancer, and congenital disabilities, which through research conducted by the CCV and other community partners, was linked to exposure to pollutants and toxins in the environment.

1. Comite Civico del Valle was established in 1987 with a mission to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities by promoting informed and engaged civic participation. This principle is incorporated into all partnerships, research, and civic engagement undertaken by the organization. Comite Civico has grown over the years to serve a wide range of groups and individuals in California through programs such as Promotoras, Community Outreach Events, Educator Training, Health Education, Environmental Health Research, and the Annual Environmental Health Leadership Summit. The organization collaborates with other established Environmental Justice organizations, researchers, academia, and government agencies to serve various California communities. With over three decades of experience serving the Imperial Valley and beyond, Comite Civico has become a well-respected and influential organization in the field of Environmental Justice.

2. In its early years, CCV relied on grassroots support from local residents, community organizations, and philanthropic foundations to fund its programs and initiatives. The organization was structured as a community-based nonprofit, governed by a board of directors and led by a small staff of dedicated advocates and organizers. One of CCV's earliest and most impactful initiatives was its "Promotores de Salud" program, which trained community members to become health educators and advocates in their own neighborhoods. This program helped to address the severe shortage of healthcare providers in the region and provided much-needed health education and resources to underserved communities.

1. How does the organization intend to push the Inland Empire towards a zero-emissions, sustainable, regenerative society? What does this vision look like and how can we get there?

2. How does the organization approach diversity, equity, and inclusion issues within its own structure and in its work with external partners?

3. How does the organization balance its advocacy and direct service work?

4. How does the organization ensure transparency and accountability in its operations?

The CCAEJ addresses environmental injustices and promotes sustainability within the Inland Empire community. AAdvocating for these policies that promote environmental justice engages polluters to be held accountable for their presence. The organization can achieve a more just and equitable society beyond heavy industry. The CCAEJ work to empower residents to have a voice in the decisions that directly affect their health, well-being, and homes, promoting democratic participation and good governance.  

Past media coverage sportrays CCAEJ as a vocal and effective advocate for environmental justice in California, specifically for the Inland Empire region. Their website has a resource tab that features the organization's work covered in various news outlets, including local newspapers and national magazines. Some media reports include the organization's successful campaigns, such as the Indirect Source and Advanced Clean Truck Rule.

CCAEJ functions within the environmental justice movement, a sector that seeks to address the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits that often fall along racial and socioeconomic lines. The organization is based in California's Inland Empire region, known for its heavy industry, poor air quality, and high rates of poverty and pollution-related health problems. Within this regional ecology, CCAEJ has established itself as a prominent community-based organization that advocates for the health and well-being of residents disproportionately impacted by pollution and other environmental hazards. The organization works closely with community members, government agencies, and other organizations to advance environmental justice goals and promote sustainable and equitable development.

 The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) collaborates with various organizations, including labor, faith-based, LGBTQIA, immigration, and prison reform/abolitionist organizations. For example, the organization has worked with groups such as Sierra Club, Earthjustice, Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability, and the California Environmental Justice Alliance on various campaigns and initiatives related to environmental justice.

 CCAEJ is likely to face many challenges and concerns regarding the problem spaces in which they work, which would include environmental injustice, community health, and land use planning. Some examples might include lack of political will, limited resources, complex and interconnected problems, systemic barriers, and community engagement and empowerment.

1. This organization does not explicitly state that its approach to addressing environmental justice issues is unique; however, in this project and reviewing other organizations, I was surprised to see on their website they do outwardly believe in a zero-emission future and regenerative and sustainable economies. Given precedent, this could be perceived as quite a radical approach, especially to corporations or other stakeholders seeking to profit from the industrial landscape of the Inland Empire. 

The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice produces and shares a variety of data and research related to its focus areas, including environmental justice, community health, and land use planning. The organization conducts original research, partners with academic institutions and other organizations to produce reports, and compiles and analyzes data from various sources. The organization's approach to evaluating and monitoring the credibility of the information it uses and circulates likely involves a combination of internal review and external validation.