R.I. gets $75K in EPA ‘healthy communities’ aid

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded nearly $75,000 to two Providence-based nonprofits to promote ongoing environmental and public health initiatives.
Receiving a share of the $380,426 awarded by the EPA’s regional office in Boston to 14 organizations across New England under the agency’s Healthy Communities Grant Program are:
• The Childhood Lead Action Project, receiving $35,000 for its Immigrant and Refugee Lead Prevention Project. The program aims to reduce lead-hazard exposure among children of immigrants and refugees via “a culturally and linguistically sensitive education and outreach campaign on childhood lead poisoning and prevention methods,” the EPA said.
• The Southside Community Land Trust, receiving $29,740 for its Urban Gardening Education Initiative. “The project will create a hands-on educational curriculum – on integrated pest management, rain water collection, rodent-proof composting, lead testing and soil remediation – to transform urban land into safe, productive food gardens,” the EPA said.
The Healthy Communities program brings together resources from nine EPA programs to target environmental and public health issues in New England communities. The grants may be used to restore or revitalize the environment; provide education, outreach and training; and organize and conduct community planning.
“Especially in these tough economic times, EPA is very proud to be able to help out local programs that are helping to improve peoples’ health and our environment,” said Robert Varney, the agency’s New England regional administrator. “Working together, we’re making great progress for a cleaner environment and healthier communities.”
For additional news and information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England (Region 1) office in Boston, visit www.epa.gov/region1. Southside Community Land Trust, founded in 1981, is a nonprofit organization that helps city dwellers gain recreational space and greater self-sufficiency by transforming empty lots into community gardens. To learn more, go to www.SouthsideCLT.org. Childhood Lead Action Project, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island via education, patient support and advocacy. To learn more, go to www.LeadSafeKids.org.