Justicia Juntos (Justice Together) is a fresh initiative aimed at assisting Latino communities in Tucson, Arizona, particularly in southern Tucson, in coping with extreme heat. The program encompasses three primary objectives:
- Formation of a coalition comprising environmentally conscious advocates to discuss the impact of heat on families and work towards an inclusive environmental plan in alignment with the city’s initiatives.
- Education of Latino leaders in the southside and neighboring areas on coping mechanisms for heat and environmental awareness.
- Development of two dedicated spaces, termed Climate Resilience Hubs, where individuals can cool down, connect with others, and access assistance, all while honoring and celebrating our cultura.
Supported by Mayor Regina Romero as part of Tucson's commitment to fostering equitable and inclusive environmental actions, the program aims to foster dialogue and affirmative environmental engagement within the community. By highlighting the direct impact of environmental issues on local residents and offering practical solutions, the initiative seeks to empower the community to address these challenges collaboratively. The program's unique approach involves evaluating progress through a mixed-method approach, incorporating community opinions and experiences. This includes qualitative techniques recognized for their efficacy in evaluation, alongside quantitative analysis to track the adoption of cooling strategies. Focused on the Latino communities residing in zip code 85706 and adjacent areas of South Tucson, outreach efforts employ culturally resonant strategies such as pláticas and cafecitos, facilitated by a collaborative coalition. Engagement with various stakeholders, including leaders in community gardens, schools, faith-based organizations, health clinics, local businesses, community centers, government, and technology centers, aims to build a robust support network.
Initial funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will kickstart community involvement, education, and activism. Subsequently, efforts will concentrate on securing local resources to establish and sustain culture-centric safe spaces known as climate resilience hubs, with the aim of garnering ongoing support from municipal leadership. Through collaboration with the Mayor's Office and the cultivation of new partnerships, the program seeks to alleviate the adverse effects of summer heat and the heat island phenomenon, particularly for those most vulnerable within the community.