La Semilla Community Resiliency Center tackles
environmental injustice
SAN
YSIDRO, Calif., July 31,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Casa Familiar held a
groundbreaking ceremony today for La Semilla Community
Resiliency Center, the first of its kind project marking a
significant step forward for environmental justice at the
border.
Casa Familiar's La Semilla Community Resiliency Center is
the only project in the City of San
Diego to receive an award from the California Strategic
Growth Council. Casa Familiar received a total of $8.5 million for the project. The California
Strategic Growth Council this year approved more than $93 million in funding for climate resiliency
centers throughout the state.
"The selection of La Semilla is a monumental opportunity
for Casa Familiar and the San
Ysidro community. This grant isn't just about funding. It's
about igniting a transformation. Together, we are embarking on the
creation of a groundbreaking, climate-resilient community
center—one that will stand as a beacon of innovation and progress,
the very first of its kind," said Lisa
Cuestas, President and CEO of Casa Familiar.
"This innovative new community center will give San Ysidro neighbors a place to come together
to help tackle climate challenges," said Todd Gloria, Mayor of the City of San Diego. "I applaud Casa Familiar
and the California Strategic Growth Council for turning this
creative community-building idea into a reality."
La Semilla project will transform a vacant
7,000-square-foot lot in the heart of the San Ysidro Historic
Village into a versatile multi-use center developed to serve
residents during climate emergency events. La Semilla will
also provide programming and services year-round to teach residents
how to tackle air pollution, extreme heat, drought, energy use, and
other climate/community risks.
La Semilla's main multipurpose facility, La
Estancia, will house services and programs such as emergency
preparedness workshops, environmental technology workshop,
and the Casa Verde Workforce development program. La
Semilla will act as a community civic hub and a Cool Zone in
emergencies. La Semilla will feature a community garden, EV
charging stations, and a community plaza.
"La Semilla embodies the residents' commitment to
creating a sustainable and equitable future for the neighborhood,
this visionary project uplifts decades of community resistance by
developing a much-needed climate resilient center," said
Goyo Ortiz, Community Development
Choreographer of Casa Familiar and participant in the Raza
Development Fund (RDF) J. Tommy Espinoza Fellowship.
"RDF is proud to support Casa Familiar's
La Semilla project. It's an outstanding
example of how local communities can take tangible actions to
create a climate-resilient future. We hope this innovative project
is an inspiration to many," said Annie
Donovan, President and CEO of RDF.
"La Semilla could not have happened without the
support of partners that share Casa's vision for the San Ysidro community and its
residents," said Cuestas. "Casa Familiar thanks the California
Strategic Growth Council, RDF, the Wells Fargo Foundation
Sustainability Philanthropy Program, and the Greenlining Institute
for their support of La Semilla project."
About Casa Familiar
Casa Familiar is the leading
service and community development organization in San Ysidro, providing more than 40 bilingual
programs and services at six different sites in the community.
Programs include civic engagement, health and social services, arts
and culture, and education. Learn more at www.casafamiliar.org
Media contact:
Susana
Villegas
svprcommunications@gmail.com
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SOURCE Casa Familiar