OCEJ has conducted several studies to highlight the environmental disparities within Orange County. Notably, this includes campaigns like Communities Organizing For Better Water !Plo-No! Santa Ana and Environmental Justice Organizing Academy
As a new organization, OCEJ is focused on building awareness and advocating for environmental justice issues in Orange County. The main initiatives illustrative of the organization’s work include; advocating for clean air, addressing water contamination, climate change action, and community engagement. They seek to advocate for marginalized communities disproportionately exposed to and impacted by environmental harms.
This organization utilizes its website and social media to disseminate information, share updates on its work, and engage with the public community.
Funding information for the OCEJ is not readily available. Still, given it is a nonprofit organization, they likely receive funding from various sources, including grants from government agencies, private foundations and individual donors, and fundraising events. Additionally, the dues for membership probably go to supporting operational costs.
“The OCEJ comprises a general body, staff members, and an advisory board.” The staff members are responsible for the day-to-day tasks and operations of the organization, leading various projects and campaigns for the organization within the local community. The advisory board shapes the direction the organization will go towards in the future. This organization has a unique role for members as they play a significant role and hold the power to make collective decisions. Members are initiated through an orientation process and pay dues (a $25 donation) to support the organization's collective power, or members can commit to two hours of volunteer service.
OCEJ’s mission, as stated on its website, is the following: “Our mission is to fight for environmental justice by mobilizing and empowering marginalized community members.”
Data produced by the OCEJ has had a significant impact on the organization's evolution as they revealed through their studies that there were high levels of air pollution in some regions of the county, contaminated water sources, and the impacts of climate change, including increased temperatures and more frequent wildfires. Historically, Orange County has placed many toxic waste sites and other hazardous facilities in low-income minority communities.
The OCEJ is committed to developing grassroots leadership to advance a larger environmental justice agenda within the ancestral homelands of Acjachemen and Tongva Nations, now known as Orange County, California.
The Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) was founded in 2016; they initially launched a countywide needs assessment for disadvantaged communities. The early organizational structure was around the OCEJ, contributing to reports in collaboration with UC Irvine Community Resilence Projects. They also worked with other EiJ organizations to host collaborative efforts to study various data, including; toxic lead exposures in Santa Ana, soil samples from homes, community gardens, and significant roads and parks in Santa Ana. The early structure consisted of volunteers and advocates who were passionate and concerned about disadvantaged communities in the Orange County region.
How has Comite Civico Del Valle evolved, and what changes have been made to respond to emerging issues or new challenges?
What are Comite Civico Del Valle's most significant accomplishments in its work towards environmental justice and community health?