The Clean Air Coalition's first of three meetings on the Tonwanda PhotoVoice Project July 11 was a success as 20 residents gathered at the River Road Fire Hall.
Residents created maps of their neighborhoods, showcasing the great things about each community, including parks and the waterfront. Issues such as industrial facilities, pollution caused by trucks, and non-walkable neighborhoods were also highlighted on the maps.
The PhotoVoice Project is a way to document community strengths and challenges, and initiate change. Armed with cameras, residents go into their communities to capture challenges to the communities health. The results of these
pictures will be showcased in an exhibit in the fall, and used in meetings with political leaders to change policy to positively affect the health of residents in Tonawanda. The Clean Air Coalition believes that the knowledge residents have about their own neighborhoods is the key to create a healthy environment for healthy people.
PhotoVoice is one of the many activities sponsored by the EPA’s CARE Program, a broad-based partnership to reduce toxins in Tonawanda. PhotoVoice is open to all residents of Tonawanda.
The next two PhotoVoice Project meetings are:
- Wednesday, July 25
- Wednesday, August 8
All sessions will be held in the early evening, to accommodate working people.
Does it cost anything? No. PhotoVoice has no fee.
Do I have to own a camera? No. We will lend cameras to any person who is accepted into the program and provide training on how to use them. Although, if you have a camera you can use, feel free to use it.
Exhibit: Attend the PhotoVoice Photo exhibit on September 7 to see the photos taken throughout Tonawanda.
How do I apply? Fill out this form, and send it to The Clean Air Coalition of WNY, 341 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202. You can also apply online at www.cacwny.org. Applications are due by June 25.
