Fresh Voices for Clean Air

Are you a high school student in grades 9-11? GASP invites you to apply for an innovative new program: Fresh Voices For Clean Air.

The program will pair a small group of high school students in both Allegheny County, PA, and Birmingham, AL, for a year-long collaborative partnership.

Throughout 2021, the cohorts in each city will gather monthly via virtual meetings to participate in discussions with each other and guest speakers both to learn more about air quality and to build skills that will help them become more effective environmental advocates.

By the end of the program year, participants will together have created, developed, and executed an air quality-related project of their own choosing, with the support of adult mentors in both Pittsburgh and Birmingham.

The partnership between air quality-focused non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh and Birmingham reflects our cities’ similar industrial and environmental history. A century ago, Birmingham was nicknamed the “Pittsburgh of the South.” Both cities have experienced some of the worst air quality in the nation. Discovering and discussing the similarities and differences between experiences in these two regions will be a key component of the collaboration.

Relevant interest areas: air quality, pollution reduction, environmental justice, environmental advocacy, environmental law, public health, local history, non-profit careers, media.

Program Details

Application Deadline:
February 19, 2021 (NOTE: The deadline has been extended to March 5 for students in Jefferson County only.)

Program Duration:
March 2021 - December 2021

Eligibility:
- Enrolled in grade 9, 10, or 11 at a high school in Allegheny County (PA) or Jefferson County (AL)
- Willing and able to participate in Fresh Voices for Clean Air until the end of 2021 - the program year spans part of two school years and includes the summer in between
- Equipped to participate in virtual meetings on a laptop, desktop computer, or smartphone
- A parent/guardian's consent will be necessary to participate in the program.

$250 Award:
Upon completion of the full program year (ending in December 2021), participants will earn a $250 award. Participants who do not complete the program year will not be eligible to receive the award.

Accessibility:
Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding program accessibility. We want to make sure anyone who is eligible for this program will be able to participate fully.

Program Partners:

Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), a non-profit founded in 1969, works to improve air quality in southwestern Pennsylvania in order to safeguard human, environmental, and economic health. GASP is a diligent watchdog, educator, litigator and policy-maker on a variety of air quality issues impacting our region.
Find out more about this organization at: www.gasp-pgh.org

Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution (GASP), a non-profit organization working in the greater-Birmingham area in Alabama, advances healthy air & environmental justice through education, advocacy, and organizing. They strive to reduce air pollution, to educate the public on the health risks associated with poor air quality and to encourage community leaders to serve as role models for clean air and clean energy development.
Find out more about this organization at: www.gaspgroup.org

Program website:
www.voicesforcleanair.com

What to expect:

Got questions? Join our Virtual Info Session on February 16th.

Virtual Program Info Session
Tuesday, February 16th

Learn about the program, ask questions, and get a chance to introduce yourself to program advisors. The info session is a resource if you have questions or want to connect before the application deadline - it's not mandatory for applicants to attend.

Program Overview (Zoom/Facebook Live)
4:00PM EST (3PM CT)
Followed by Drop-In Office Hours (Zoom)
4:15-6PM EST (3:15-5PM CT)

Zoom Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsfuqsqTsrGdeGzzquHALSnHvMuLfVqNjS

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/679976469336576

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