Elizabeth Yeampierre, executive director of the United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park, passionate advocate for the city’s environmental justice movement and community-planning activist, was honored with the second annual Yolanda Garcia Community Planner Award at a reception on April 18 at the Urban Center. The award was presented by Yolanda Gonzalez, daughter of the late Yolanda Garcia, and executive director of Nos Quedamos.

A certificate for lifetime achievement was awarded to community board veteran Wilma Maynard of Bedford Stuyvesant. Certificates of honorable mention were presented to Damaris Reyes of the Lower East Side and Harry Bubbins of Mott Haven. Certificate of honorable mention recipient Laura Hoffman of Greenpoint, was unable to attend the event but received her certificate and flowers the following day from her neighbor and fellow activist Julie Lawrence.

The award ceremony and reception was a zero waste event at which no plastic was used and all waste was composted. Local jobs were supported through procurement of locally-grown and produced food and beverages.
To learn more about community-based planning, and about the achievements of the award recipients, click here.