Swansboro West Civic Association Receives CGA Mini-Grant from Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2024

Contact: Sarah Wilkinson, sarah@southsidereleaf.org

RICHMOND, VA — The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has awarded Swansboro West Civic Association a $20,000 Community Green Access (CGA) mini-grant to conduct a visioning process to transform the area behind Swansboro Elementary School into a community park. Southside ReLeaf is serving as the Association’s fiscal agent.

The goal of this project is to engage community members of Swansboro West and teachers, staff, students, and parents of Swansboro Elementary School to develop a common vision for how the space behind the school can be re-developed to better meet the needs of residents.

“Creating access to quality green space for the community is critical,” said Amy Wentz, co-founder of Southside ReLeaf. “We’re honored to be able to support Swansboro West Civic Association as they build community consensus around what a new park behind the elementary school could look like. Neighbors in Swansboro know best what they need, so the fact that they will be the ones to design future park upgrades is so exciting.”

In the Richmond 300 master plan, a stated goal of the City of Richmond is for all residents to be within a 10-minute walk of a park. While there is a sizable area behind Swansboro Elementary School, it currently lacks many of the amenities associated with a community park and the playground equipment requires upgrades. The area is not currently designated as an official city park.

“Green spaces to meet and gather help make a community strong and vibrant. It really is the community’s heart and soul,” said Denise Payne, Swansboro West Civic Association President. “Swansboro West has lacked this for many years, and more importantly, our children have lacked that their entire lives. They already know Swansboro Elementary as a wonderful school. Now we have to show them it can be a beautiful, safe, and fun park as well.”

Swansboro West Civic Association is a volunteer-led organization that represents Richmond residents between Hull Street and Forest Hill Avenue from Clopton Street to just before Belt Boulevard and along Reedy Creek. By engaging with neighbors, the Association solves problems pertaining to community safety, health, and quality of life in order to make the Swansboro West neighborhood a better place to live. In partnership with the Richmond Tree Stewards, the Association is currently in the process of planting more than 100 trees in the community to reduce urban heat islands and improve air quality.

The Alliance for Chesapeake Bay engages communities, companies, and conservationists to build a more resilient landscape and foster deeper commitment to improving communities, lands, and waters in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As part of this work, the Alliance offers financial and technical assistance to local groups through their Community Green Access (CGA) mini-grants program. The aim of the program is to increase environmental access for community members in historically underserved areas.

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About Southside ReLeaf

Southside ReLeaf is an environmental justice nonprofit committed to improving health outcomes and the quality of life for Southside Richmond residents. By building green spaces, connecting with neighbors, and advocating for people-centered policy, Southside ReLeaf seeks a healthy, equitable, and sustainable environment for all residents in South Richmond. Get involved at southsidereleaf.org.

Southside ReLeaf Receives $25,000 Capacity-Building Grant from Robins Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2024

Contact: Sarah Wilkinson, sarah@southsidereleaf.org

RICHMOND, VA — Robins Foundation has awarded Southside ReLeaf $25,000 in operating funds to support the organization’s capacity to grow and sustain its programming.

“We’re grateful for our relationship with Robins Foundation and the support they’re providing to the organization, including critical resources to build our infrastructure,” said Sheri Shannon, co-founder of Southside ReLeaf. “We’ve been able to fund new positions, start fundraising, and see much new growth, both within Southside ReLeaf and our broader community of neighbors.”

The working relationship between Southside ReLeaf and Robins Foundation began in February 2023 and has since grown in a shared support for transforming communities into dynamic places to live. Last year, a mini-grant from the foundation supported the creation of the organization’s first paid staff member, as well as access to fundraising coaching and relationship management software through the Jumpstart program. To reach neighbors and other stakeholders, Southside ReLeaf can build capacity through staff to green spaces, connect with neighbors, educate neighbors, and advocate for resources that benefit Southside residents. 

The Robins Foundation was founded on Claiborne Robins’ belief in the power of education to transform lives and society. Robins Foundation continues that legacy through a focus in early childhood care and education. The foundation honors its commitments by investing in organizations that are contributing to the culture and vibrancy of Richmond’s dynamic community.

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About Southside ReLeaf

Southside ReLeaf is an environmental justice nonprofit committed to improving health outcomes and the quality of life for Southside Richmond residents. By building green spaces, connecting with neighbors, and advocating for people-centered policy, Southside ReLeaf seeks a healthy, equitable, and sustainable environment for all residents in South Richmond. Get involved at southsidereleaf.org.

Southside ReLeaf Applauds the City on Finding New Location for Fire Training Facility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2023

Contact: Amy Wentz, hello@southsidereleaf.org 

RICHMOND, Va. - Today, Richmond’s Acting Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders issued a memo to City Council President Michael Jones and 8th District representative Reva Trammell announcing the withdrawal of a new burn tower at Hickory Hill Community Center for the Richmond Fire Department training facility. The memo proposes a “compromise” for the burn tower to be built in Sandston, Va. to replace the current structure. RFD would still occupy classrooms at the community center for training classes.

Southside ReLeaf issued the following response:

“The city made the right decision by listening to community members and finding an alternative location for the burn tower. Given the environmental racism Southside residents experience daily due to discriminatory policies and decisions, it’s important for city leaders to stand by their commitment to protect and expand green spaces. The mayor’s administration and Richmond City Council have a responsibility to create a healthy, safe and climate-resilient city and removing valuable green space in a predominantly Black and Latino community is unjust. 

“Parks and green spaces mitigate the effects of the urban heat island effect, improve air quality and mental health, reduce flooding, and act as gathering places for community. Community members have rallied for years to preserve the community center and improve the space with newly planted trees and a community garden. We hope the city will make greater investments at Hickory Hill to build an accessible park that benefits neighbors. 

“Southside ReLeaf encourages city leaders to keep an open dialogue with community members to determine the best path forward on how the community center should be used.”

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About Southside ReLeaf

Southside ReLeaf is a community and volunteer-driven organization committed to environmental justice in South Richmond. Our goal is to improve the life expectancy and quality of life for Southside residents by increasing green spaces, reducing pollution, and improving infrastructure. We believe in uplifting voices that are often unheard and people-powered advocacy as we build climate-resilient neighborhoods. Get involved at southsidereleaf.org.