Superfund Research Program
Community Engagement Core
Project Leader: Scott Frickel
Grant Number: P42ES013660
Funding Period: 2005-2021
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Final Progress Reports
Throughout 2020, the Brown SRP Community Engagement Core (CEC) made significant progress in community outreach and engagement activities as the team adapted to the global COVID-19 pandemic, personnel changes, and new community partners. Elizabeth Hoover, Ph.D., departed Brown in 2020 to take a faculty position at the University of California, Berkeley. Marcella Thompson, Ph.D., retired in 2020. Summer Gonsalves filled the SAL position in 2019 and has most recently been promoted to serve as CEC Co-Leader. In the last year, Scott Frickel, Ph.D., and Gonsalves have developed new partnerships with United Way of Rhode Island, The Rhode Island Department of Health (Health Equity Institute, Community Health Assessment Group, and Environmental Public Health Tracking Program), The Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, and the Compass School. They have also maintained collaborations with the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Southside Community Land Trust, and Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council. Gonsalves has continued to deliver Harvest Boxes to members of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. Collaborating with community partners United Way of Rhode Island and OneCranston, Gonsalves co-led the development of garden enrichment kits and educational programming for Providence area youth to address COVID-19 barriers. The Namaus (All Things Fish) Project completed data collection and analysis of contaminated fish in Narragansett tribal waters, with reports forthcoming. Gonsalves joined several committees and task forces, aimed at addressing youth out-of-school activities, environmental public health, community health needs, health equity zones, food security, and green space access. These collaborations will continue to inform the Center’s community engagement activities in 2021 and beyond.