Concerned Residents for South Dearborn

Project Description

Concerned Residents for South Dearborn (CRSD) is a neighborhood association that has been addressing social, economic, and environmental concerns in the neighborhoods of the South End for 20 years. They have partnered with various local organizations to address environmental concerns, are trusted in the community, and have a strong network to support this project.

CRSD will engage and educate South End residents about the area’s air quality issues, encouraging them to report violations and be engaged in air quality permitting, pollution mitigation, and supplemental environmental projects. They also plan to educate the community on the use, benefits, and maintenance of indoor air purifiers, which will be provided as a part of an agreement with Cliffs Steel, a major polluter in the area. Through this project, CRSD aims to increase: awareness of the local air quality; public awareness of health impacts (to better understand and seek medical attention); reporting on emission and air quality violations; public engagement at permitting hearings, comment periods, and public meetings; and better indoor air quality through the proper use and maintenance of indoor air purifiers.

Specifically, CRSD plans to:

• Hire an intern to lead the event planning, project design, and implementation
• Create a powerpoint presentation on Air Quality to include: Sources, Pollutants, Strategies for Reporting, and the use of Indoor Air Purifiers
• Create a brochure on reporting AQ violations to serve as future referencing for the public
• Market and advertise information on AQ and indoor air purifiers
• Schedule 2 in-person and one virtual public presentations on AQ & indoor air purifiers
• Create and distribute a flier/mailer to South End residents on the benefits, use, and maintenance of an indoor air purifier
• Conduct a survey to evaluate presentations and measure efficacy thereof

CAPHE mini-grant funds will be used to jumpstart the project with community presentations and the production of brochures and flyers. The work will continue through existing communication forums in the community.