Community In-power and Development Association Inc.
409-498-1088
CIDA Inc.
b
For years our organization has been fighting for your right to breath clean air and to live in an environment that is safe and free of toxic chemicals from big polluter Why? Because we care about you our community and the environment which we all live in we only have one earth and we must protect it.
Our Mission
· Foster and promote a safe, healthy and pollution-free community for the citizens of Port Arthur, particularly on the Westside;
· Develop and maintain community unity through a network of small businesses and activities;
· Educate the public about the health impacts of pollution in their community and how they can protect themselves and their children from harmful chemicals;
· Train and equip adult parents to deal with the growing problem of teen pregnancy and prevention;
· Provide a forum for the black community to become more informed about community affairs, environmental justice issues, social and civic affairs, School Board and City Council meeting affairs;
CIDA Inc.
b
Serving you and the community
"A united voice in the community by the community"
Find out how you can help, join us. Please call
(409-498-1088) for more information
Community In-power and Development Association Inc.
(CIDA Inc.)
Introduction and Background of Organization
History and Accomplishments
CIDA is a four year old community organization in Port Arthur, Texas, whose mission is to help our young people a) understand the complexities of our government and how they can stand together to make change in our community, b) obtain their personal goals in business, homeownership, and politics, and c) address health and environmental issues in our community.
Hilton Kelley was born in Port Arthur and then left to become a Hollywood stuntman. When he returned to his hometown, he saw it rotting on the vine and providing no opportunity for young people. He returned to Port Arthur in 2000 and formed CIDA as a way to help the community develop. However, residents told him that community development would not matter if the community was too polluted to live in. So CIDA expanded to also address issues of environmental justice.
Our key goals are to:
 | Foster and promote a safe, healthy and pollution-free community for the citizens of Port Arthur, particularly on the Westside; |
| Operate and facilitate Port Arthur’s first Community Environmental health and education resource center. |
| Develop and maintain community through a network of small businesses and activities; |
| Educate the public about the health impacts of pollution in their community and how they can protect themselves and their children from harmful chemicals; |
| Train and equip adult parents o del with the growing problem of teen pregnancy and prevention; |
| Provide a forum for the black community to become more informed about community affairs, environmental justice issues, social and civic affairs, and School Board and City Council meetings; |
| Provide an after-school study hall and recreation environment for young people. |
| Recipient of the “Freed Family Support Group” award, for outstanding work in the community 2003 |
| Recipient of the “Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter”, Environmental Justice Award 2002 |
| Successfully completed his Environmental Leadership training at the Environmental Leadership Institute 2001 |
| Being selected as the only grassroots group leader to testify before the US Senate on the proposed rollback of the Clean Air Act |
| Publishing three reports with former EPA chief Eric Schaefferis’ Environmental Integrity Project on flaring pollution from refineries |
| Recruiting 100 low income neighbors to attend training for accredited carpenter training by the local union |
| Attending and speaking out at the Shell Shareholder meting in London about refinery pollution and accountability |
| Testifying in Texas Legislature in support of school air monitoring legislation |
| Recruiting 100 young to complete builders training and be available for local apprenticeships with the Carpenters Union |
Current Programs and Activities Our environmental advocacy work focuses on educating community members about health hazards caused by industrial pollution, the deployment of bucket brigades, and campaigning against local facilities that are polluting the air we breathe and the water we drink. Central to our work is motivating, stimulating, and inspiring our youth.
CIDA also provides at-risk youth with education and positive role models through our youth programs. Our process for involving youth in environmental justice begins with engaging the children’s interest through offering karate classes, a computer learning center, and a mentoring program at our center. These include environmental education, karate, and self-discipline as well as raining in job skills. CIDA recently partnered with the Carpenters Union to recruit 100 young people o complete builders training and be available for local apprenticeships.
Our Constituency Our work focuses on the Port Arthur, Texas community which is predominantly African-American with a significant percentage of the households in poverty. Youth and their parents are a key part of our constituency.
We hold monthly organizational meetings at St. John Baptist Church where we make the majority of our decisions. Our 60 members talk about issues and vote on what action to take. This is a constant decision making process. These same community members help with the work canvassing and conducting outreach in the neighborhood, taking air samples, and attending press conferences and events.
Our Community
Our Community
Port Arthur, Texas
Total number of residents: 6,984
Distribution of population by race/ethnicity
African-American 91%
Hispanic 3%
White 5%
Distribution of population by age
Up to 19 years 24%
20 to 34 years 19%
35 to 54 years 26%
55 and over 21%
Median household income: $26, 455
Percentage of households at or below the poverty level: 22.9%
