Environmental Health

FreshMinistries was one of 30 organizations nationwide selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement an Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving grant in East Jacksonville. FreshMinistries has partnered with the University of North Florida (UNF), the Duval County Health Department, the City of Jacksonville and the First Coast Black Business Investment Corporation to examine environmental and health issues with neighborhood residents.

Gail Eubanks served as community coordinator and organized an Eastside community advisory committee, which is meeting monthly. Gail and the committee generated a community newsletter as they looked at contaminated sites in East Jacksonville with the assistance of Michael Hartman, the technical consultant from UNF. The purpose of the EPA grant is to engage communities in addressing environmental justice issues in their community.

East Jacksonville was selected due to the presence of a large number of contaminated sites in the area and other revitalization initiatives of FreshMinistries in the neighborhood. Working with University of North Florida, FreshMinistries facilitated education and problem-solving in neighborhoods affected by chemical contamination from the former Kerr-McGee pesticide plant.

View Maps, studies and government reports at http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/npl/nplfln/kerrmcfl.htm.