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Beyond Translation Initiative
Beyond Translation Forum
Related Links
Environment Matters
Podcasts
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Resources
- Access to Health Care for Asian Americans and Minorities - PDF [50pp, 1.3M]
- Health Services for Asian Americans - PDF [2pp, 209k]
Thank you for joining us for Beyond Translation Forum 2013!
“Taking Back Our Place by Greening Our Space”
Special thanks to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Urban Sustainability Forum Steering Committee for helping to coordinate a successful event.
If you were unable to join us or want to reflect on issues discussed by our many excellent presenters, materials from the forum are below. We look forward to seeing you at future events!
| You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader. |
Session A - Green Space is Safe Space
- Not Vacant: Supporting Opportunities for Community-Led Green and Garden Spaces - Amy Laura Cahn
- Reducing Violence in Public Spaces - Charles Branas
- Taking Back Our Place by Greening Our Space - David Perri
- What is the Value of Green Space? - Sean O'Rourke
Session B - Beautifying Our Communities, Preserving Our Culture
- Sheppard School Green Garden Project - Angela Paez
- Growing Home Gardens - Christian Pryzbelek
- Recycling, Energy Conservation, and Community Beautification - Michelle Feldman
Evening Panel - Transforming Environments to Engage Our Communities
- Exploring Opportunities in Community Resources - Bryan Hanes
- 4 Steps Vacancy Strategy - Eastern North (Wieczorek, Grossman, Casanas)
- How Do We Reclaim Green Spaces in an Urban Setting? - Jerome Shabazz
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The Region 3 Beyond Translation initiative began in 2009 as a replica of the Beyond Translation Initiative spearheaded by EPA-Region 6 back in 2006. Originally conceived as a Hispanic outreach activity, the initiative has been expanded to reach out to other multilingual communities. The initiative supports former Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priority of expanding the conversation on environmentalism particularly with those communities that traditionally have not been engaged in our work and activities. Our goal is to continue the dialogue beyond the one day forum so that together we can collaborate to resolve environmental challenges.
Purpose
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the growing diversity of our nation and is working to engage more communities in environmental leadership and awareness of issues affecting them. The goals of the Beyond Translation Initiative are to:
- Discuss environmental challenges and opportunities facing Hispanic, Asian, and African immigrant communities
- Explore ideas for improving services to Hispanics, Asians, and African immigrants
- Offer these communities important information on environmental issues and economic opportunities
- Enhance and expand partnerships and networks
- Learn about grants and resources available to communities and small businesses
Past Activities
The Beyond Translation Forum
The Beyond Translation Forum is an annual event which seeks to further engage local Hispanic and Asian communities in a meaningful dialogue on the environmental issues that they may be facing. Each topic is based on the needs of each individual community, which is then translated into interactive workshops between the community and other participants in the initiative. The forum then becomes the foundation of the network that is being developed through this process, with the plan for that network to expand and enhance the economic and environmental quality of the communities.
In previous years, the Beyond Translation Forum has covered topics on environmental heath, economic opportunities, and small business assistance.
2011 “Healthy Communities through a Healthy Environment”
- Our third forum in November 2011 was held at Drexel University. The forum was co-sponsored by Drexel Engineering Cities Initiative and Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management of Penn State University. Presenters from local and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community leaders engaged in a dialogue for healthier communities. They discussed environmental health issues for sensitive populations and how to get access to healthy foods.
Afternoon workshops covered:
- Edible Landscapes And Growing Fresh Food
- Urban Soil Contamination: Reducing Risk
- Environmental Issues and Children’s Health
- Cross-cultural Medical Treatment and Public Health
2010
- Our second forum in April 2010 was co-sponsored by Temple University and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Presenters from local and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community leaders engaged in the environmental sustainability dialogue. They also discussed how they may benefit from the city-wide Greenworks Philadelphia campaign.
Afternoon workshops covered: - Greening our communities
- environmental health
- economic opportunities
- small business assistance
2008
- Our 2008 Beyond Translation Forum was our first outreach to the Philadelphia Asian and Hispanic communities. It strengthened our partnerships with these communities. Participants included community leaders, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and government agencies who worked these communities' needs. Interactive workshops focused on environmental health issues, economic opportunities and small business assistance.
Other activities/events
-Women’s Career Day at McCall Elementary
-Earth Day Festival at the Academy of Natural Sciences
-Eco-Healthy Futures for Childcare Centers workshop
-Age Friendly Parks Focus Group at Juniata Senior Center
-EPA Community Involvement Training Conference
Resources
Grant Opportunities: www.epa.gov/region03/grants/index.htm
The resources on the link above will navigate you to grant applications from a variety of different EPA funded programs.
Chesapeake Bay Program Grant- supports the Chesapeake Executive Council through coordination of federal, state, and local efforts to restore and protect living resources and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and watershed.
For More Information
Norman Rodriguez, rodriguez.norman@epa.gov, (215) 814-5274
Enid Chiu, chiu.enid@epa.gov, (215) 814-3219
