Our partners and donors are there for us in countless ways and for many different reasons. Here, we feature a few stories so you understand how Front and Centered is vital to ensuring equity and environmental justice for all communities in Washington State.
Sherry Richardson
Why have you chosen to support Front and Centered?
“The F&C coalition has the wisdom, leadership, and power to forge a transition to a healthy, resilient, and sustainable future for people and planet. I hope to help to lift and amplify their voices above those that currently hold power and privilege.”
Have you learned anything from being a part of the Front and Centered community that may be meaningful to others considering supporting environmental and climate justice work?
“Environmental and Climate Justice issues are directly linked to the many other systemic problems such as inequality and patriarchy. Being part of F&C has helped me to clearly see those connections, question the status-quo, and motivated me to look to those most impacted to drive the systemic solutions we need.”
What has been your greatest reward giving to Front and Centered?
“The priority placed on trust-building and intention is so inspiring. While that work is time consuming, the coalition has still managed staggering growth and it has firmly positioned them as trusted, go-to leaders in all aspects of public policy in Washington state and beyond. Their voices are finally being heard, understood, and respected and as a result, I have tremendous hope for our communities and planet.”
Jordan Goldwarg & Sam McVeety
Why have you chosen to support Front and Centered?
“We’ve chosen to support Front and Centered because of their proximity and accountability to frontline communities. During this time of accelerating inequality and displacement, we believe that organizations must be accountable to our most vulnerable and marginalized communities.”
Have you learned anything from being a part of the Front and Centered community that may be meaningful to others considering supporting environmental and climate justice work?
“We’re each on our own journey of understanding our relationship to wealth and giving. While we recognize how the urgency of climate change can drive folks to want to “maximize” their impact, we’ve found it important to deconstruct the idea that giving capacity corresponds to decision making and vetting authority, and instead give up that power to organizations that are working to build a just climate movement. While we’re grateful for the opportunity to give, we also recognize that those circumstances are driven by chance and privilege, and see unrestricted giving as one way of giving up some of that unearned power.
We have also learned how so many past efforts to address environmental problems in Washington have not taken into account the needs of communities of color (like our first attempt to pass a carbon tax at the ballot box), so we are grateful that Front and Centered has expanded our understanding of environmental justice.”
What has been your greatest reward giving to Front and Centered?
“We’re grateful to be part of a movement that continues to show that communities can and do rise to the challenges that they face.”
Dave Woolley-Wilson
Why have you chosen to support Front and Centered?
“From the earliest days, Front and Centered inspired me with their brilliant political grass roots strategy to place the needs, concerns and wisdom of communities of color, indigenous peoples, and lower income communities at the center of confronting environmental racism and climate justice. Their growth and impact on shifting the politics around climate change by organizing these groups statewide is impressive and consequential. I enthusiastically support their vision and the work of their member organizations.”
Have you learned anything from being a part of Front and Centered community that may be meaningful to others considering supporting environmental and climate justice work?
“I have learned that my role is to listen to those on the frontline of crisis who have the knowledge, expertise and understand what their communities need. Rather than offer advice, I listen and ask how I might be of service. These groups know the problems and best solutions to help their communities. Their voices should be at the center of creating climate justice policies and continue to guide my actions.
For those who want to support an organization that is confronting climate justice across the state and making a difference in peoples’ lives, there is no more consequential organization deserving support than Front and Centered.”
What has been your greatest reward giving to Front and Centered?
“My greatest reward is seeing the voices of Front and Centered helping their communities and harvesting their communities’ wisdom to shape the political dialogue and generate policies that can create environmental and climate justice for all Washingtonians and be an example for the nation and the world.”
Brady Walkinshaw
Why have you chosen to support Front and Centered?
“Front and Centered does extraordinary work connecting, elevating, and supporting communities and leaders across our state at the forefront of the movement for a more just, sustainable future and climate. I’m a passionate believer in the focus of Front and Centered’s work to build the power from the communities most directly impacted by our historic and current emissions that risk the future of our planet.”
Have you learned anything from being a part of the Front and Centered community that may be meaningful to others considering supporting environmental and climate justice work?
“Front and Centered’s approach to network-building and leadership is a powerful long-term approach for campaigns that will win on key policy issues at local levels, in the State Legislature, and at the ballot. The model is one that can be shared for other movements and similar efforts in other states.”
What has been your greatest reward giving to Front and Centered?
“I’m excited by the progress that I know will come in the future!”
Paulina Lopez
Why have you chosen to support Front and Centered?
“Front and Centered has been a great support for our organization. As we know there are some significant challenges that grassroots nonprofit organizations led by POC face. Some of these challenges speak of the lack or capacity we have. Front and Centered has been key providing culturally responsible consulting, helping build a system support providing process and helping build our capacity.
We are also very grateful to be able to work together on meaningful environmental justice policies and campaigns making an impact in the State of WA. We have been working on gathering and document data, stories and work on important impactful actions. Feels good not to be alone in the fight for justice, instead, be part of a network.”
Community is at the center of Front and Centered. What does that mean to you?
“We are all community centered. We don’t represent organizations only, we prioritize always community voice . Those voices who have usually been oppressed and or kept quiet for a long time.”
