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Our Mission and Vision
LJRN’s mission is to support our frontline communities of Southern LA as we survive and thrive from climate disaster and environmental injustice.
Our frontlines are many! And they shift, depending on the the crisis at hand. We prioritize supporting communities
- on the fence lines of large polluting industries
- living at the edge of our eroding coast
- heir property homeowners
- workers in disaster construction and the petrochemical plants
- fishing communities
- migrants
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Our network
We are an informal network of organizations and individuals supported by a small team of part-time contractors and consultants. We work under the guidance of grassroots climate and faith leaders in Southern Louisiana, and understand our work as part of the long lineage of the southern environmental justice movement. Our relationships predate Ida, and our local climate and environmental justice community has grown stronger through connecting and caring for one another.
We have received funding, in-kind donations, and in-kind support from a number of individuals, grassroots organizations, local and national non-profits, including Greater NOLA Climate Reality, 350 Nola, XR Nola, SBP, Gulf South for a Green New Deal, Rebuilding Together NOLA, Power Coalition, Orphan Grain Train, CORE Response, Rebuilding Hope In New Orleans, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, The Descendants Project, Inclusive LA, Foundation for LA, Urgent Action Feminist 2.0 Fund, Black Economic Solidarity Fund, CIEL Petrochemical Fund., Toolbank New Orleans
Healthy Gulf is our fiscal sponsor.
We are also proudly members of a number of coalitions, local and national, that straddle disaster, housing and environmental justice.
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Our Work
Our approach to recovery and climate and environmental justice centers those most impacted. We also know that we will continue to be on the frontlines of climate disaster in Southern Louisiana.
We see it as vital that impacted, frontline communities are equipped with the knowledge for how to recover from disasters, and receive the trainings, skills, and resources necessary to thrive. In 2022 and 2023, we were able to use grant funds to employ people most impacted by climate disaster. We are proud of the diversity and experience shared amongst those 12+ crew members who contributed their time, energy, and experience to the founding years of LJRN, and we are proud of the knowledge we were able to generate and share.
We continue to prioritize hiring local, black owned businesses for rebuild work and support start up businesses with young black entrepreneurs.
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Our approach to service and mutual aid
We see mutual aid, service, mission work, volunteerism, sharing and giving as ALL essential to recovery and to building longterm communities of care. We have worked with 1000s individuals, local and national, since September 2021.
When you work with us, you are not only supporting homeowners as they rebuild after storms. You are also joining a network of individuals, grassroots community groups, faith-based groups, and non-profit organizations who believe in the right to recover from climate disaster and repair from environmental injustice.
We deeply honor those who step into this work with us. We see you and appreciate you.
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Our approach to rebuilding
We know our coastal region will continue to be impacted by climate disasters. We also know the enduring impacts of environmental racism on housing, health, and economic security will require ALL of our creativity and dedication.
We see job training for sustainable, green and FORTIFIED rebuilds and new builds as critical to resilient communities in Southern Louisiana. All of our construction efforts seek to rebuild to the strongest standards possible with local labor.
