Downwinders is a group seeking deep social change through the prism of air pollution: who's exposed to it, why, and how to best reduce it. This concern makes us confront issues of racial and income equity, participatory decision-making, disparity in public health protections, and land-use planning. It's made us into citizen scientists as well as zoning experts. We see cleaner air not just a goal by itself, but connected to a host of other democratic, grassroots changes that can increase individual and community sovereignty.
The most important tool we have is the region's only staff devoted to coming to the aid of DFW residents who are fighting for their neighborhood's health. When a community finds out they've been targeted by a polluter and discovers no government agency will help them and better-known environmental groups don't have the local resources to come to their aid, Downwinders is there to fill the gap. When government meetings take place during the workday to decide a community's fate Downwinders makes sure to show-up. When a "done deal" between polluters and officials needs to get undone by citizens, Downwinders leads the fight. Our reputation is about being persistent and getting good things done against big odds. After 29 years of successes ranging from Midlothian cement plants to Frisco lead smelters to Dallas's Shingle Mountain, we're known as one of the most successful and resourceful grassroots groups in Texas.
We need your help in making sure our staff are fully funded and our operating budget is big enough to be able to provide the kind of assistance necessary to come to the aid of distressed neighborhoods.Alicia Kendrick, Community Organizer for DownwindersÂ
Board Members Evelyn Mayo and Misti O'quinn with Alicia at Oak Cliff Earth Day
"Downwinders at Risk is dedicated to taking effective action on behalf of those being harmed by air pollution. Our goal is to build a strong grassroots constituency and create new strategies for clean air in North Texas. We do this by informing, connecting and mobilizing citizens to become active participants in the decision-making that affects the air we breathe. In doing so, we improve both the quality of our air and the quality of our democracy. We're committed to working for environmental justice with communities impacted by the worst pollution; to deliver the best science to those communities; to making decisions about pollution and polluters more democratic; to providing solutions to the problems we spotlight, and to funding staff devoted to grassroots empowerment."
Fully funded, full-time local staff to assist neighborhoods in distress.
Buy and maintain air quality monitors to distribute to frontline neighborhoods
Funds to wage effective public campaigns for change
Downwinders at Risk is committed to ensuring our Board and Staff are reflective of the communities we serve. Towards this end, we have a majority Women of Color Board of Directors and Staff. We also recruit members of the communities we serve to our Board of Directors.
Organization name
DOWNWINDERS AT RISK EDUCATION FUND
Causes
Environment & Conservation, Human Rights, Civil Rights & Advocacy, Racial Equity
Operating Budget
$100,000 - $249,999
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Parker, Tarrant, Wise
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
1808 S. Good Latimer