Welcome to the Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network (VCAMN). We are a group of Vallejo residents working to make the air and environment better for all here in our community. We have monthly meetings open to all, and we welcome a diverse participation from all Vallejo residents including the voices of our youth. We have worked to build a network of air monitors in Vallejo to help us know when there is unsafe air around us, and to help us learn about potential problems and advocate for change to make our air and our health better.
Clean Air Ambassador 2023 – 2024
The Vallejo Citizens Air Monitoring Network (CAMN) is pleased to announce the launch of its Clean Air Ambassador Program.
The Program will provide funding and training to empower, mentor, and activate community leaders in Vallejo to take action for clean, healthy, and breathable air. Poor air quality from traffic, industry, refineries, and wildfires is a constant factor in environmental injustice and is linked to health issues, such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
We are now recruiting for 2023-2024 Clean Air Ambassadors, please use the QR code or the link here to sign up for the info session.
Clean Air Ambassador 2022
The Vallejo Citizens Air Monitoring Network (CAMN) is pleased to announce the launch of its Clean Air Ambassador Program.
The Program will provide funding and training to empower, mentor, and activate community leaders in Vallejo to take action for clean, healthy, and breathable air. Poor air quality from traffic, industry, refineries, and wildfires is a constant factor in environmental injustice and is linked to health issues, such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
We are now recruiting for 2022-2023 Clean Air Ambassadors, and strongly encourage local community leaders who are interested in health, clean air, and/or leadership development to apply. See below for more information and an application.
Eligible applicants include Vallejo residents, community leaders, faith groups, youth leaders older than 16, school leaders or school district staff, family members, and others committed to leadership development and clean air. Ambassadors will go through a training program and will receive up to $1,000 upon completion of coursework and outreach activities.
CAMN will build on its work to bring a network of air monitors to Vallejo through the cultivation of Ambassadors who will be able to speak about the importance of clean air and advocacy in their own communities. In addition, CAMN has partnered with a number of experts in air monitoring, public health, community advocacy, and capacity building, including University of California at Davis, Touro University, and Calm Waters Group.
By bringing in local experts, CAMN will work to provide training on air pollution and health; air pollution monitoring; leadership and advocacy; green jobs; and outreach and engagement. CAMN has a strong history of serving as a voice for the community against air pollution from industry.
Next Steps:
- Review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Program details:
Click Here for FAQ. - If you’re ready to apply, complete this brief application:
Click Here to Apply. - If you need more information than provided by the FAQ, attend our Zoom info session on September 12, 2022, at 6:00 pm. for a face-to-face Q&A with our staff.
Click Here to Register for Information Session. - For all other inquiries, please reach out to Ken Szutu at outreach@citizenairmonitoringnetwork.org
Art for Air Contest 2021- Announcing the Winner
Art for Air Contest – the Winners are
PUBLIC VOTING FOR “ART FOR AIR” CONTEST HAD CONCLUDED AND THE 2021 WINNERS ARE HERE.
VALLEJO, CALIF. (April 22, 2021) — The Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network (VCAMN) congratulates Rhubie Rosales of Vallejo who is the winner of the $500 Grand Prize in the “Art for Air” contest. Fifty-five artists of all ages provided entries to show their love for clean air with art. The public then selected the winner through online voting. Entrants in fact came from all over the country, as far away as North Carolina and Illinois.
The winning art by Ms. Rosales, who is a teenager, is entitled “A Piece to a Peace.” It features a drawing of a puzzle showing how we all have to work together to put the pieces together for clean air. “Clean air really means everything; a lush life and…the reason why I put it in a puzzle form is that we as humans can only bring back the beauty of the earth if we help each other.”
Other winners are named for three age groups, for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize.
Winners in the 5-12 age group were:
1st, Brandon Ramaila of Vallejo; 2nd Aariela Kelie O’Connor of American Canyon; 3rd Davion Moss of Vallejo.
Winners in the 13-17 age group were:
1st, Nkonyeasua M. Osamor of Chicago, IL; 2nd, Mariacristina Prado Nunez of Vallejo; 3rd Lauren Miller of Fairfield.
Winners in the 18+ age group were:
1st, Orobosa Olotu of Vallejo; 2nd. J. Grayson of American Canyon; 3rd, Kathy Farrell of Vallejo.
Click here to view the Winner Gallery and Statements.
Winners in these categories will pick the prize of their choice provided from local donors including leaders at Touro University and Fresh Air Vallejo, as well as local groups such as Loma Vista Farm and Grow A Pear Nursery. All entrants have had their work portrayed on the VCAMN website. The contest winners will have their work receive additional recognition and be shared with public officials.
We had many wonderful submissions. Click here to see all of them.
Ken Szutu, who leads the VCAMN, said, “I am very happy to see more than 50 people submitted their wonderful work, and more than 500 people voted for their favorite art. Through this contest, we want to bring attention to the importance of clean air. We also want to bring awareness of Citizen Air Monitoring Network Air Quality Map to our neighbors before the summer fire season.”. Ken added that the public is invited to the organization’s website (www.citizenairmonitoringnetwork.org ) to see the winners and learn about future monthly events on air quality.
About the Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network
The Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network is a non-profit group focused on raising awareness about air quality and helping citizens of Vallejo understand how air quality affects them. This project was supported by the “California Climate Investments” (CCI) program. Visit www.citizenairmonitoringnetwork.org or email outreach@citizenairmonitoringnetwork.org for more information.
Art For Air 2023 Winners Gallery
Grand Prize Winner
Samantha Ventura – “The Importance of Healthy Air”
My drawing is mostly about what healthy air helps us with and how important it is. It’s also about how we need healthy air in our daily lives.
5-12 Years Old Winners
5-12 1st Prize – Alexandra Ventura – “What Healthy Air Means to Me”
This drawing shows how with healthy Air you can do many outside activities such as walking, biking and hiking and throwing parties. In addition, Healthy Air mean to me that you no longer need to wear a mask because of the harmful air that is caused because if many things for example fires. Healthy Air also means to me that there would be less illness around which as a result would be less people sick. Lastly, I also believe that healthy Air means Healthy Food and Drinks. For Example, if a cow is sick, it would most likley produce unhealthy milk for the people. This show what Healthy Air means to me.
5-12 2nd Prize – Serena Ellis – “Planet Goodbad”
This is a picture of Planet Goodbad a planet where half is good with clean water, no trash, & clean air, the other half has polluted air from chemicals burning, trash pouring into the water causing it to become polluted. if you ask you self what part of the planet do you think you would belong to?
5-12 3rd Prize – Serenity Ellis – “Green Planet”
A green planet is a clean planet.
13-17 Years Old Winners
13-17 First Prize – Amelie Polycarpe – “Windswept Warbles”
Staring out into the ocean as the wind sweeps the sounds of warbling birds into a melodious tune.
13-17 Second Prize – Luisa Perez – “Avian Smoke“
This piece shows that the air is so bad that the birds drag it through the sky.
13-17 Third Prize – Janiyah Jackson – “The Night”
Painted at the One People Tribe “Free the Art” Paint Party.
18+ Years Old Winners
18+ First Prize – Veronica Manzo – “Enjoyable Day Outside”
When we keep our air clean it helps us to breath better nos just us if not the animals are healthier, too. We can grow fruit and vegetables and enjoy the beautiful weather outside; playing, hiking or just simple taking a walk without mask. Because our air is clean. And we can continue making our outside activities and have fun!
18+ Second Prize – Channa Booker – “Clear Sights”
A glimpse into the transfer of the mind scanning the vast sky skimming the air and filtering it though mind and sight. Clean air means clear skies and clear minds.
18+ Third Prize – Jordyn Kosai – “Happy Lungs, Happy Life“
When we have clean air we can more freely enjoy the small things in life, like smelling the flowers, without worry for our health. Please keep the air clean! <3
Art For Air Contest 2023
http://citizenairmonitoringnetwork.org/art-for-air-2-vote/
Contest voting begins Tue. May 16, 2023 and ends Fri. June 16, 2023. The artworks will be displayed on our Art For Air Vote page when the voting period opens on Tue. May 16, 2023. During the voting period, viewers from the general public can vote for their top three favorites in each of three age groups, 5-12, 13-17, and 18+. Voting will end Fri. June 16, 2023.
All entrants will have their work displayed in our Art For Air Gallery. The top three vote-getters in each age category will be awarded prizes of $25, $50, and $100. The top overall vote-getter will be awarded a $500 grand prize. The winning entries will receive additional recognition and be shared with public officials.
Winners will be notified by email Wed. June 21, 2023. An Award Ceremony and Barbecue Party will take place on Saturday, June 24 from 12 pm to 4 pm at St. Vincent’s Hill Community Garden, 1200 Marin St, Vallejo, CA 94590.
Earn Community Service Volunteer Hours with Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network
Opportunity #1:
Build public speaking skills, get letters of recommendation, and be a part of making Vallejo’s environment safer and healthier. Volunteers will get training on local air quality issues and their health impacts. They will learn about basic video composition and create video presentations to disseminate to peers and social networks. Volunteers will be involved in information outreach and dissemination in virtual formats.
The hours and start date are flexible. The expectation is roughly 1-2 hours each week for 2-4 months.
Opportunity #2:
Gain technical training and hands-on experience with air quality monitor installation. Configure WiFi adaptors and connect routers. Be a part of a community driven effort to improve the air and the environment in Vallejo. Get letters of recommendation, leadership development, and enhance your professional profile.
The hours and start date are flexible. The expectation would be for a commitment of 6 months, averaging 5 hours a month
