🌻 A Word to the Mother 🌻

For Those Mothering Everywhere

Art by TeePublic

Dear Community,

As May unfolds, we come together to celebrate several significant observances: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Mental Health Month, and Mother's Day. This edition of the UPROSE newsletter is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the rich history, culture, and resilience of the AAPI community, while also raising awareness about the importance of mental health for everyone and celebrating the nurturing spirit of those who mother.

Throughout history, the AAPI community has made invaluable contributions to our society, overcoming challenges and breaking barriers. At UPROSE, we acknowledge the incredible achievements and recognize the struggles the AAPI community continues to face. In tandem, Mental Health Month serves as a crucial reminder that well-being is a fundamental aspect of our lives. This month, UPROSE is committed to fostering conversations around mental health, sharing resources, and advocating for support systems that promote well-being for all.

We are also thrilled to spotlight author, environmental justice scholar, and native New Yorker Julie Sze, whose groundbreaking work highlights the intersection of environmental justice, public health, and the AAPI community. Her interdisciplinary approach, combining scholarly research with grassroots initiatives, has shed light on the critical intersections of race, class, and the environment, while developing a generative model of the work that's possible to uplift communities as an academic activist. Julie Sze's unwavering dedication to climate justice and community empowerment, deeply rooted in her connection to New York City, has left an indelible mark in the realm of environmental activism.

Join us as we embark on a journey of appreciation, reflection, and understanding this May. Together, let's honor the remarkable history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, prioritize mental health in our daily lives, and cherish the invaluable role of mothers and mother figures in our lives. We encourage you to participate in our upcoming events, engage with our work, and spread the word to help cultivate a more just, equitable and compassionate world.

With care and lightness,

Elizabeth and the UPROSE team

Academic Activist Julie Sze

As an author and educator, Julie has been instrumental in raising awareness about the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities, particularly the AAPI population. Her commitment to uplifting the voices of those most affected by environmental injustices has inspired countless individuals and organizations to join the fight for a more equitable and sustainable future. We honor Julie Sze's exceptional contributions, and we are grateful for her steadfast passion and tireless efforts to create a world where every community thrives in harmony with the environment.

Seeking Community Stories

Time Sensitive Request

Are you worried about truck traffic in your neighborhood? Do you or your family members live with asthma or feel concerned about the health impact of air pollution?

UPROSE is looking for Sunset Park community members who are willing to share personal stories of how increased truck traffic in Sunset Park impacts your health and wellbeing. Please reach out to Sarah at UPROSE if you are interested in this opportunity to be interviewed so we can show elected officials and policymakers that last-mile and other huge facilities popping up in environmental justice communities need to be regulated for community protection.

Please reach out to Sarah at info@uprose.org ➜

RECENT EVENTS

Happy International Workers’ Day ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼

“A time of celebration and opposition throughout the world, except in the United States where it began. May Day commemorates the May 1st, 19886 nationwide protest for the eight hour day and the followinv “Haymarket Affair,” a pivotal event in the history of workers’ and anarchist movements in which four labor organizers were hanged by the State in Chicago. May Day is also the ancient celebration of Spring and rebirth — the traditional time for planting new seeds in the old ground”

Art by Eric Drooker

Our last Learning Circle on April 29, 2023

So much appreciation to our community members who showed up on a Saturday to learn best practices and share resources on preparing for hazardous weather events!

Seen in the photos are community members winning prizes for knowledge about climate justice and resilience. Please note that we will definitely be hosting more in the near future so stay tuned.

Join Us for a Film Screening on May 25, 2023

UPROSE's work was honored and amplified recently at Rooftop films' screening on April 4, 2023 at Brooklyn Grange in Sunset Park. They are hosting another screening at the Green-Wood Cemetery and we would like to invite you to join us! Please visit this link for more information.