Peoplestown Revitalization Corporation (PRC) was selected to be one of four community organizations in the Partnership for Southern Equity’s Just Communities Pilot Program. The program, funded by the Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America’s Cities Initiative, gives regrantees the resources and technical assistance needed to promote equitable and regenerative development in their neighborhoods. The pilot is based on PSE’s Just Communities Protocol, which is a performance framework that guides the implementation of neighborhood development projects. Funding will support urban greening and workforce development initiatives in accordance with the protocol and the Just Communities values.
Recent initiatives and progress supported by Just Communities funding include:
- Supporting efforts to promote green jobs and workforce development within the Peoplestown neighborhood
- Being awarded funding from Park Pride to design and build significant improvements to the Four Corners Park in Peoplestown (link to following section)
- Hosting a three-day intergenerational Environmental Justice Academy in partnership with Community Cares in October 2024 and April 2025, engaging a total of 184 residents
- Engaging youth in a neighborhood tree planting project, bolstering climate adaptation measures in the neighborhood
- Engaging residents, community leaders, and city government in creating a strategy and community vision for the Intrenchment Creek Community Stewardship Council, advancing stormwater management and flood protection activities
- Mapping and collecting information about existing affordable housing in the Peoplestown community in conjunction with Housing Justice League
- Improving PRC’s administrative support and communications platforms