There are real, everyday impacts of climate, energy, and health policies. They impact the air we breathe, the jobs we can access, and what we pay to keep the heat on and stay in our homes.
At WSCO, we respond to day-to-day environmental and health concerns impacting our community – but we also go beyond that to demand systems change. By looking at the big picture, together, we can be the architects of the safe, healthy, and just future we deserve.
All of us– Black, Brown, and white– deserve more than protection from environmental harms. We want to create systems that promote climate justice. We want access to thriving natural spaces where people can play, heal, and build community.
No matter what we connect around– food, flowers, or advocacy for environmental justice– our connections are powerful in and of themselves.
Current Projects
10 Year Community Plan
It’s time to create the next 10 year plan for our community to decide what the West Side will look like, and how we want to grow together. This is a comprehensive plan that includes many elements, and environmental justice is one of them. We believe West Siders should be directly involved in planning for our shared future: a vibrant and safe neighborhood where new development and wealth creation benefit all West Siders, no matter what we look like or where we come from. Affordable housing, investment in local businesses, access to public transportation and green spaces– let’s make sure these and other important elements are included, and reflect the needs of our neighborhood!
Past Projects
We've held a wide variety of community activities, including a public forum on solar power and racial justice, advocating to local elected officials, and connecting West Siders to solar cooperatives. We crafted a summer series centering local Black, Indigenous, and People of color healers and artists. We strengthened community connections through sharing free seeds, crafts, marigolds, and veggies. Check out these projects and more, below!
- Recreation as Resistance 2020
- Recreation as Resistance 2022
- GROWS: Growing Resilience on the West Side
- The Marigold Project
- Racial Justice and Solar Power forum
- Don't Waste Our Future: community input on the MetCouncil incinerator
- West Side FreeSA
- Bus Rapid Transit
- West Side is Outside!
- West Side Walking Wednesdays
- Beans on the Boulevard
- Good Hearts Gatherings
- Blessing of the Dogs