HOPE co-director Nina’s One Year Anniversary

We want to give a Hope Scope shout out to our amazing Co-Director: Janina Turner for 1+ year of work! 

Firstly, Congratulations! What was your start date?
Thank you! November 7th, 2022.

What was the most rewarding thing from this past year? 
It was really exciting to join my long-time friend Elizabeth on the HOPE Collaborative team this past year. It’s been really great getting to explore the different organizations and individuals working to create a better Oakland for the residents. Oakland is such a vibrant city full of kind, resilient, hard working people. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to hear from many different community members on their visions for their neighborhoods and I look forward to helping make those ideas come to fruition through HOPE programming. 

What struggles did you have to overcome?
This year has been an interesting transition for me. I recently moved to Oakland and am engaging in a different side of the environmental justice world by focusing on air pollution and its health impacts. It’s so astonishing to learn about the disproportionate impacts pollution has on the community here. It’s been a journey in learning and listening directly from the community about this issue but it’s so important to focus our work from the first-hand needs of the residents here. 

What do you hope to gain in this next year?
In this next year I hope to connect to more community members and organizations in efforts to collaborate and further the important work we are all engaged in. I’m really looking forward to expanding our environmental justice work within the flatlands of Oakland. 
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One reason you've chosen to stay with HOPE and/or your favorite role you play @ HOPE.
It’s been great being the EJ Co-director at HOPE this past year. I’ve enjoyed learning from the community but also learning and working with our youth members in our Youth Action Board and Young Adult Leaders. The multigenerational focus of the work is so important since people of all ages have experiences we can learn from. I look forward to another year of community building and programs. 
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Without Janina’s work and dedication we would surely lose hope! Let's honor her and prepare to honor others in the next following weeks.
Until Next Time!
Stay Hopeful :)

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