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Local Group Gets Funding for Environmental Work

Release Date: 03/25/2009
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543, [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA (March 25, 2009) -- Neighborhood Interfaith Movement, a non-profit in Philadelphia, is one of 40 organizations across the country to get federal funding for community-based environmental work. NIM will use a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to train people who will teach families how to create healthy homes.

"I commend the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement for its commitment to these communities and for demonstrating the kind of local leadership that is vital to building strong public health protections for all Americans," said William T. Wisniewski, acting regional administrator for EPA's mid-Atlantic region.

NIM’s environmental project will provide training to people who will advocate for healthy homes. Educational workshops and outreach will target residents in Germantown, Tioga, and Nicetown neighborhoods to reduce childhood lead poisoning and lessen exposure to pesticides and pests. Also, the project will aim to reduce the high rate of asthma in these neighborhoods.

EPA’s funding to NIM is part of the agency’s effort to assist communities dealing with environmental justice challenges. Since initiating the environmental justice small grants program 15 years ago, EPA has awarded $20 million in funding assisting 1,130 community-based organizations and local and tribal governments. For more information on the grants program see: htttp://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/index.html