Transformative Communities Fellowship
Building the climate community leaders of tomorrow
After multiple community conversations nationwide, one of the most commonly identified hurdles in moving forward climate infrastructure projects is the lack of capacity.
Our Transformative Communities (TC) Fellowship is a direct response to this need and aims to increase capacity for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to access climate funding, advance climate infrastructure projects, and educate communities about climate infrastructure projects.
Through this program, CBOs have the opportunity to enlist a local community member as a Fellow to help their organization. CBOs are able to choose how the TC Fellow contributes to the program’s overarching objectives of fund acquisition, project advancement, and community engagement in climate projects.
The Transformative Communities Fellowship was created as a direct response to local communities highlighting the lack of capacity to move climate projects forward as a significant barrier. With billions of dollars opening up at the federal level we need to ensure that organizations are well equipped to take on these federal funding opportunities to fund community-led climate infrastructure projects. The addition of a Fellow will directly provide support to where the organization needs it most. Examples of the work that Fellows are taking on include:
- Climate project management
- Research
- Collecting data
- Community engagement (i.e., organizing/attending stakeholder meetings and debriefing relevant folks)
The Transformative Communities Fellowship simultaneously creates capacity for Community Based Organizations to advance community-led infrastructure projects while also bringing new community members into the meaningful work of equitable climate projects. Climate injustices will unfortunately continue to persist if we do not equip leaders from the same communities that have been the most impacted. Through our Transformative Communities Fellowship, we are building the local leaders of tomorrow that will create generational change for many futures to come.
Fellows participating in the Transformative Communities Fellowship gain access to a number of benefits that ensure they will be successful during and after the fellowship. This includes:
- Connections to Transformative Communities Fellows across the US
- Network building through direct exposure to climate work
- Insights into their local climate projects
- Resources catered to their specific needs as it relates to advancing climate projects
- Access to additional Dream.Org offerings
- Many more resources and opportunities!
Adriana Sanchez, a recent graduate of California State University, Sacramento, holds a master's in public health with a focus on Community Health and Policy. She has been supporting LFCC with grant management for approximately one year. This new project involves various activities addressing climate action. Adriana will conduct research on climate action and devise a strategy to engage community members. Additionally, she will work on climate adaptation strategies, data collection, and grant writing. Through community engagement, she will gather input on needed services and provide education on climate action.
Carolyn Catlos was born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan and has spent the last 14 years living in Detroit, with a brief jaunt to Houston. She began working closely with Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) after organizing, as a resident, around concerns about traffic violence, traffic fatalities, and trucking in her neighborhood. Carolyn is currently working on the Southwest Detroit Chargeway, a resident-led, network of community-owned greenspaces, that will house community-owned electric mobility solutions. She also coordinates a city wide table geared toward reducing environmental triggers of asthma, through development of truck routing and regulation. Carolyn finds joy in learning from the incredible network of Environmental Justice organizations who have operated historically in Detroit. She has developed a passion for grant finding and writing. It is her pleasure to seek and secure support for resident-initiated solutions to environmental abuses. She hopes to continue to support residents working toward land-based, restorative, and remediative projects.
Born and raised in Southern California, Daniela is passionate about building and restoring justice within her community of Bloomington, CA, and similar communities facing disinvestment and environmental inequities. As an architectural designer and researcher, she has developed a strong interest in housing policy and community-engaged design practices and is working to address the negative impacts of the built environment on communities. As a Dream Fellow collaborating with The People's Collective for Environmental Justice (PCEJ), Daniela aims to broaden her expertise in addressing issues related to environmental racism and grant writing and research.
After growing up in San Bernardino and returning from pursuing my degree out of state, I am currently organizing community for renters rights and the production of affordable housing in San Bernardino; simultaneously I’m producing a family television show centered around Media Literacy and the role of journalism in civic engagement. In the coming years I look forward to working with stakeholders on developing jobs beyond the logistics industry, which has monopolized the Inland Empire. I‘m excited to create career pathways through renewable energy vehicles that overcome the opportunity gap and overwhelming air pollution in my community. Green jobs are a pillar of tackling climate change sustainably and I’m beyond excited to bring those opportunities to San Bernardino.
My name is Mary Wagner, a previously undocumented immigrant who feels a profound responsibility to uplift, support, and advocate for my community. As a leader and member of Make the Road Nevada in Las Vegas, NV, I have organized environmental participation through Doñas Academy, a women's group aimed at organizing, educating, and mobilizing Spanish-speaking women in our community. Additionally, I have helped campaign to provide street vendors in our area with the opportunity to obtain business licenses, among many other advocacy efforts. I am excited to be part of the environmental movement and hope to bring new knowledge to my community. Together, we can organize and mobilize to take action and fight for our right to clean air, clean water, and a healthier future.
Yvonne Jones, affectionately known as Shade’, was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. I currently live in Atlanta, Georgia in the historic English Avenue neighborhood. I attended Central State University in Ohio and graduated from Purdue Global University with a BS in Health Sciences with a concentration in Health and Wellness. As a young adult I developed strong spiritual beliefs, and a love for African culture and truth. I believe in respecting the environment and Mother Earth by living a natural way of life.
It is in English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods that much of my environmental and holistic wellness advocacy work is done. In addition, I have developed programs serving the public that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. My passion for holistic living has fused a partnership within the community with the HBCU Greenfund which has provided a gateway to global environmental perspectives.
As an entrepreneur I founded Green Is LYF,Inc. (GIL), an eco-sensitive consultant company that provides engagement, education, and elevation to communities, businesses, and institutions about wellness awareness. This engagement style provides the entire Community with a sustainable approach to living LYF. With a Public Service background spanning over twenty years, I have developed a strong understanding and ability to interpret and implement collaborations between political processes and community relations.
I currently serve as NPU-L Chair, a liaison between the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods and the City of Atlanta. As a community leader and advocate, I have cultivated relationships with community stakeholders, community leaders and elected officials. I am committed to the dissemination of relevant information to the public and encourage their participation in planning processes. I also serve on the advisory committee of the Neighborhood Westside Tax Allocation District (Westside TAD), the Vice Chair of the Alliance to Activate Cook Park. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a partner to the HBCU Green Fund.
