ABSTRACT

Environmental Injustice Through Participatory Research and Civic Engagement

This chapter will draw on our research, conducted in partnership with the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, to argue that the participation of youth from non-dominant groups in community-based civic engagement programs provides opportunities for them to use and increase their knowledge about social issues that impact their communities, to develop dispositions toward criticality and commitments to social justice, and to learn from others about effective ways to enact social change. We argue that these community-based contexts support youths’ growth, both academic, and as informed and active members of their communities. As they work in their projects, they also develop and use important literacy skills, including analyzing relevant texts for understanding issues at stake and crafting compelling messages for target audiences. They do this as they work together with caring adults to address community issues that are both pressing and personal, making these learning experiences especially