2020 was a challenging and inspiring year for our work in the District of Columbia. Our accomplishments would not have been possible without the on-the-ground leadership of our Anacostia-based members in the District Wards 7 and 8.
We continued to coordinate our Anacostia activities with members of Clean Water and the Anacostia Park & Community Collaborative (APACC), a network of organizations working together to make the Anacostia River and its park system the best possible resource for residents of the District of Columbia.
2020 Census
Our long-time ally, the Anacostia Coordinating Council, a founding member of APACC, is leading outreach efforts to inform people about COVID-19, provide tests and help keep the community safe. In addition, Clean Water supported member-led programs to disseminate information about the 2020 Census in an effort to increase our communities’ response rate, which will help the District unlock funding and other resources in the future.
The Anacostia Park & Community Fund
When the pandemic struck, we worked with our members to reconfigure our internal community grant fund to focus on providing organizational capacity and resources to members engaged in COVID-19 response programs and other critical support to urban communities in DC Wards 7 and 8. Since then, we have provided $154,105 in capacity building funds to support local community leaders directing Anacostia COVID-19 response programs, including technical assistance to local organizations, access to training and information technology, use of video and voice software, and other means to reach community residents and resources without physical contact. The fund is made possible with generous support from the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network, Chesapeake Bay Trust, National Park Foundation, The Conservation Fund, the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Prince Charitable Trusts, and from Clean Water members like you.
The Urban Nature Healing Fall 2020 Webinar Series
APACC’s Urban Nature Healing Fall 2020 Webinar Series, featuring APACC members Akiima Price and Brenda Richardson on Best Practices in Engaging Vulnerable Communities in Nature. The webinar series was sponsored by APACC with generous support from The Conservation Fund.
Your financial support will help make Clean Water stronger and better able to respond urgently to immediate issues and build power toward the larger change needed to combat climate change, protect our most vulnerable communities and defend our democracy.
Make a special gift to support clean water and environmental justice in the District today.
