We are people of faith collaborating to grow healthy communities and advance climate justice through education, advocacy, and worship.

Dear Friends,

Small, grassroots organizations often need the recognition they deserve. Therefore, for the second week of Black History Month, I would like to amplify the work of several Black-led environmental organizations that are making history in Virginia right now.

1. Climate Action in Hampton Roads

Based in Hampton Roads is the Center for Sustainable Communities, which supports utilities, governments, businesses, schools, authorities, nonprofits, and various agencies in sustainability initiatives. CSC is led by Gary A. Harris, an expert in energy and sustainability, leads CSC. In 2019, VAIPL partnered with CSC to take clergy members from the Baptist General Convention, convening in Virginia Beach, to tour sites of environmental injustice and racism in Hampton Roads.

CSC is currently working on a number of projects, including climate organizing at the neighborhood level, and hosting leadership programs.

2. Sustainable Agriculture in Richmond

Renew Richmond is a 501(c)3, non-profit entity that uses agriculture to empower young people to build healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities in underserved neighborhoods throughout the greater Richmond region. Renew Richmond manages school gardens and a farm and has equipped children of all ages with hundreds of hours of agriculture education and community project experience.

3. Protecting Landowner Assets in the Southeast

The Black Family Land Trust is a land trust dedicated to the preservation and protection of African-American and other historically underserved landowner's assets. The BFLT utilizes the core principles of land conservation and land-based community economic development to measurably improve the quality of life for landowners, by providing families with the tools necessary to make informed, proactive decisions regarding their land and its use.

These are only a few organizations doing transformative work in our area.

Do you know of other Virginia-based environmental or climate organizations that are Black-led or that largely serve and engage Black communities? Let us know, and we will try to amplify them in a future newsletter!

With gratitude,

Faith

VAIPL was out in the commonwealth growing our faith-based climate justice movement this week. We tabled at VCU's RVA Internship Job Fair, connecting with students. If you know a young person who would be interested in interning with us, please ask them to contact us at contactus@vaipl.org.

We also attended the Resilience Reception, presented at the Student Day of Action, and our regional coordinators met faith leaders across the state for one-on-ones.

Early voting in the presidential primary has begun in Virginia! For all dates related to these elections, you may consult our civic engagement web page.

Please note that same-day registration is available in Virginia; you may register on election day at your registrar's office or satellite voting location, and vote with a provisional ballot. See here for more information.

Will you commit to voting in every election held in 2024, and beyond? If so, please sign our 2024 Faith Voter Pledge, and share with others.

The season of Lent begins tomorrow! Our 2024 Lenten Creation Care Calendar is now available.

A Spanish version of the calendar is available here / Una versión en español del calendario está aquí

Next up is our Ramadan Creation Care Calendar, which we will send out separately later this week.

Stay active throughout the 2024 General Assembly Session. Meet with Policy Director, Benjamin Hoyne for a weekly legislative briefing call.  Action of the Week calls are each Monday at 6:00 pm, from January 22 through March 4. Calls are quick and informative. This is a fantastic way to stay informed and engaged with your legislator. 

Watch new episodes live at 12pm on Facebook or YouTube, or watch the posted videos afterward at your convenience. 

It's great to be working with you!

STAFF

BOARD