JD Scholars Update for 2024
The Justin Downs (JD) Scholarship supported high school or college students in becoming an environmental health leader in East Harlem. JD Scholars learned fundamentals of public health, environmental health and community health (together termed “communitology”) in an intensive and immersive summer experience serving children and families.
JD Scholars worked closely with environmental health experts, community organizations, and other students to promote the health of communities.
The recipients of the Scholarship for 2024 were:
Mirella Martinez and Francisco Fankbonner
See the overview below for more about the Scholarship.
Overview for the Justin Downs Memorial Scholarship
I am asking for your support of Nullary Care, a social justice organization in East Harlem. Nullary Care runs a summer camp for immigrant families in East Harlem called Cada Paso that promotes environmental awareness, health and social justice and has had a positive impact on adults and children in the last ten years.
East Harlem (EH) is only a very few blocks from the Upper East Side (UES) but the statistics from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene demonstrate how drastically different they are. East Harlem life expectancy is 9 years less; infant mortality is 5% higher; adults without health insurance is 6% higher.
The aim of the summer camp program, Nullary Care, Inc. (501c3), is to increase awareness of the environment, health, social justice, and resources for families in East Harlem. Nullary Care was established by Geoffrey (Cappy) Collins, M.D., M.P.H. who practices at the Children’s Environmental Health Center at Northwell Hospital on Long Island and teaches environmental pediatric residents at universities throughout the New York area. It runs the summer camp program in conjunction with Little Sisters of the Assumption, the Isaacs Center and the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program.
Nullary Care has offered two summer camp programs: Cada Paso (Each Step) that meets with families to take educational walks throughout New York to investigate the environment (quality of air, shade, water, city services); and Cyclopedia which takes youngsters on educational bicycle rides throughout the boroughs.
My son Justin thoroughly enjoyed teaching at the Nullary Care summer camp programs in East Harlem. I am now establishing a fund to support a teaching internship in his name. I hope you will consider joining me to contribute to the Justin Downs Internship at Nullary Care to continue this vital summer program in the East Harlem community.
Please send your donation by check to the:
Justin Downs Internship care of Nullary Care Inc / Dr. Geoffrey Collins
130 West 30th Street, Apt. 12B, New York, NY 10001.
Gratefully yours,
Linda Downs
Please reference at our Donate page to donate via Paypal or if you have any other questions.
Justin planned Cyclopedia rides, took on bike maintenance, and went on walks with Cada Paso to community cultural events.
Justin led STEM lessons in circuits and a Gowanus Canal water test.
Some more More Cyclopedia adventures, QI Gong lessons and a meeting of the Nullary Board.