Dear GCF Community,
As we wind down National Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15/23-10/15/23), we continue to celebrate the roots, stories, diverse cultures, and environmental, economic and social justice contributions of Hispanic and Latine Americans – those in our GCF community, other local NY communities and across the country.
We are proud to uplift the talents and leadership of our Hispanic and Latine Corps Members and alumni (on average, 1⁄3 of each GCF cohort identifies as Hispanic), as well as staff, board members, partners, supporters and city leaders who are making positive change each day for a more equitable and sustainable NYC.
People of color including Hispanic and Latine Americans are disproportionately vulnerable to environmental hazards and health impacts from living and working on the frontlines of the climate crisis (read more: The Climate Heritage of Hispanics; Climate change hits home for Latinos) and, according to a 2023 Climate Change Communication study, are also the most concerned about global warming. With these lived experiences, drive, knowledge, unique gifts, activism, and community power, Hispanic and Latine climate and social justice leaders are at the forefront of progress and meaningful solutions.
Everyday heroes and fellow changemakers, from the Hispanic and Latine workers (often in migrant and other frontline communities) who maintain the US food industry we all benefit from, to those working in construction, infrastructure, community organizing, policy and beyond, are crucial to our workforce and collective efforts in making a more just future a reality.
In service and solidarity,
GCF