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Environmental Justice
Project Water Rights
The SGV sits atop one of the most contaminated groundwater basins in the US — four EPA Superfund sites, chromium-6, PFAS, and 1,4-dioxane. Know what’s in your water. Test it. Filter it.
Community Resources Hub
Resource Library
88 curated tools for informed living, citizen science, open-source software, and community resilience.
Showing all 95 resources
Featured
CalEnviroScreen — Environmental Justice Mapping
California's environmental justice screening tool. Identify communities most burdened by pollution and least able to respond. Essential for SGV environmental advocacy.
ALPR Watch — License Plate Reader Tracker
Community-maintained map and database of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) camera locations. Know where surveillance infrastructure exists in your neighborhood and understand your rights around license plate tracking.
Meshtastic — Off-Grid Mesh Networking
Open-source, long-range mesh networking for emergency communication without internet or cell service. Uses affordable LoRa radios to create community communication networks.
ShakeAlert — Earthquake Early Warning
The USGS ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system for the US West Coast. Get seconds of warning before shaking arrives. Learn how to receive alerts on your phone.
AlignFlow Journal (Coming Soon)
The Mindfulness journal for designing your flowstate. 84 days of guided prompts, creative activities, emotional check-ins, and reflective practices designed to cultivate presence and flow state.
SGV Water Quality Guide
VisionSt48's comprehensive guide to water contamination in the San Gabriel Valley — chromium-6, PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, perchlorate, and more. Includes EWG data, home testing options, filter recommendations, and SGV Superfund context.
EWG Tap Water Database
Enter your zip code to see what contaminants are in your local tap water. Compares detected levels against EWG health guidelines — often 10–500x stricter than legal limits. Essential for SGV residents.
CalEnviroScreen — Pollution Burden Map
California's environmental justice screening tool. See which communities bear the greatest pollution burden — SGV communities rank among the most burdened in the state. Data-driven advocacy tool.
VisionSt48 Mutual Aid Fund
A percentage of all VisionSt48 proceeds supports community mutual aid. Funds go directly to disaster recovery, food security, and educational access in the SGV.
SGV Mutual Aid Network
Community-organized mutual aid serving the San Gabriel Valley. Connects neighbors with food, supplies, transportation, and support. Building resilience from the ground up.
The Creative Act — Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin's meditation on creativity as a spiritual practice. The book reframes the creative process as a way of connecting to the universe, not just producing output. Core CC reading.
AirNow (EPA)
Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) for your zip code. Shows PM2.5, ozone, and overall air quality with color-coded health guidance. Essential daily check for SGV residents, especially during wildfire season and summer ozone peaks.
SGV Air Quality Guide
VisionSt48's comprehensive guide to air quality in the San Gabriel Valley. Covers PM2.5, ozone, wildfire smoke, diesel exhaust from the 10/60/210 freeways, and protection strategies. Part of the Project Water Rights environmental justice suite.
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Search over 90,000 personal care products and their ingredient safety ratings. Science-backed hazard scores help you make informed choices about what goes on your body.
EWG Tap Water Database
Enter your zip code to see what contaminants are in your local tap water. Compares detected levels against health guidelines and EWG standards. See the SGV Water Quality Guide for a deep-dive into local contaminants.
EWG Healthy Living App
Scan product barcodes while shopping to instantly see safety ratings for food, personal care, and cleaning products. Free for iOS and Android.
Good On You — Ethical Fashion Ratings
Rate and discover ethical fashion brands. Evaluates companies on labor practices, environmental impact, and animal welfare with easy-to-understand scores.
Ethical Consumer
Independent, research-based ethical shopping guides covering 100+ product categories. Compare brands on environmental, social, and governance criteria.
Buycott — Vote With Your Wallet
Scan product barcodes to trace them back to parent companies and see if they align with your values. Join campaigns to support or avoid specific corporate practices.
The Good Shopping Guide
Compare thousands of brands across ethical ratings tables. Research covers environmental track records, animal welfare, and human rights issues for informed purchasing.
DoneGood — Shop With Purpose
A marketplace and browser extension that redirects your everyday purchases to companies that are good for people and the planet. Discover certified B Corps and social enterprises.
Open Food Facts
A free, open database of food products from around the world. Check ingredients, additives, allergens, and nutritional information. Scan barcodes with the free app.
iNaturalist
One of the world's most popular citizen science platforms. Record observations of plants, animals, and fungi. AI-powered identification helps you learn while contributing to global biodiversity research.
Zooniverse
The world's largest platform for people-powered research. Contribute to real scientific projects in astronomy, ecology, history, and more — no special skills required.
eBird — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Log your bird sightings and contribute to one of the largest biodiversity databases in the world. Real-time maps, hotspot guides, and species alerts for birders of all levels.
GLOBE Observer — NASA
Collect environmental observations for NASA scientists. Measure clouds, land cover, trees, and mosquito habitats. Your data helps validate satellite measurements.
SciStarter — Citizen Science Project Finder
Discover over 3,000 citizen science projects you can join. Filter by topic, location, and activity type. Perfect for finding projects that match your interests and schedule.
Merlin Bird ID — Cornell Lab
Free app that identifies birds by sight or sound. Point your phone at a bird or record its song and get instant identification powered by machine learning.
CoCoRaHS — Community Weather Network
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network. Measure and report daily precipitation from your backyard. Data is used by the National Weather Service and researchers.
Galaxy Zoo — Classify Galaxies
Help astronomers classify millions of galaxies captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. Your classifications help scientists understand how galaxies form and evolve.
Foldit — Protein Folding Game
Solve puzzles to help scientists understand protein folding — a key challenge in medicine and biology. Players have made real scientific discoveries through gameplay.
OpenFarm — Crop Growing Database
A free and open database for growing food. Find growing guides for hundreds of crops, share your own knowledge, and connect with growers in your climate zone.
LAPL Memory Lab
Free digitization services at the Los Angeles Public Library. Convert your old photos, slides, VHS tapes, and audio cassettes to digital formats — completely free for LA residents.
Boycat.io
Community-driven tech platform providing accessible tools and resources. Connecting creators, builders, and community members through open technology.
Khan Academy
World-class education for anyone, anywhere — completely free. Courses in math, science, computing, economics, arts, and more with personalized learning paths.
Internet Archive & Wayback Machine
A digital library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, and websites. The Wayback Machine preserves the history of the internet for everyone.
DigitalLearn.org
Free, self-paced digital literacy courses from the Public Library Association. Learn computer basics, internet skills, job searching online, and more.
OER Commons — Open Educational Resources
A public digital library of free teaching and learning materials. Explore, create, and collaborate with educators worldwide to access quality education resources.
Mutual Aid Hub
Find mutual aid networks and community self-support projects near you. Search by location to connect with neighbors offering and requesting help.
Little Free Library — Locate a Library
Find the nearest Little Free Library to take a book, leave a book, or start your own. A global network of community book exchanges fostering literacy and neighborhood connection.
Tool Library Network
Borrow tools instead of buying them. Tool libraries reduce consumption, build community, and give everyone access to the tools they need for home repair, gardening, and creative projects.
Repair Café — Fix Things Together
Free community repair events where volunteers help fix broken items — electronics, clothing, furniture, and more. Reduces waste and builds repair skills in your community.
Loomio — Cooperative Decision Making
Open-source platform for collaborative decision-making. Built for cooperatives, nonprofits, and community groups. Host discussions, vote on proposals, and build consensus online.
Ready.gov — Official US Preparedness
The official US government emergency preparedness website. Build a kit, make a plan, and stay informed about all types of disasters. Includes resources for people with disabilities and pets.
CalFire — California Fire Information
Real-time California wildfire information, evacuation orders, and fire prevention resources. Sign up for emergency alerts and learn how to create defensible space around your home.
AirNow — Air Quality Index
Real-time air quality data and forecasts for the US. Check AQI before outdoor activities, especially important during wildfire season in the SGV. Includes health guidance by AQI level.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
Apply for federal disaster assistance after a presidentially declared disaster. Includes housing assistance, personal property replacement, and other recovery programs.
211 LA — Local Services Hotline
Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org to connect with local health and human services in Los Angeles County. Food, shelter, utilities, mental health, and disaster recovery resources.
LA County Emergency Preparedness
Official Los Angeles County emergency preparedness portal. Evacuation zones, shelter locations, disaster resources, and sign up for Wireless Emergency Alerts specific to your area.
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
Real-time earthquake data, hazard maps, and historical seismicity for California and the world. Essential for understanding SGV's seismic risk and fault proximity.
FossifyOrg — Mobile FOSS Apps
A collection of free and open-source mobile applications for everyday use — gallery, calendar, contacts, file manager, and more. Privacy-respecting alternatives to proprietary apps.
LibreOffice
The leading free and open-source office suite. Full-featured word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and drawing tools compatible with Microsoft Office formats.
Signal — Encrypted Messaging
State-of-the-art end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling. Open source, no ads, no trackers. Used by journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious individuals worldwide.
Brave Browser — Privacy-First Browser
Private browser, independent search, the open-source web browser from Brave. Built-in protection with Chromium+WebKit.
Blender — 3D Creation Suite
Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and video editing — completely free. Used by studios, artists, and hobbyists for everything from film VFX to game assets.
GIMP — Image Editor
A free and open-source image editor for photo retouching, image composition, and graphic design. A powerful alternative to Photoshop with extensive plugin support.
Audacity — Audio Editor
Free, open-source audio recording and editing software. Record live audio, convert tapes and records, edit sound files, and mix tracks for podcasts, music, and more.
Nextcloud — Self-Hosted Cloud
Host your own cloud storage, calendar, contacts, and collaboration tools. Full control over your data with no subscription fees. Enterprise-grade features for individuals and teams.
AFFiNE — Open Source Knowledge Base
A privacy-first, open-source alternative to Notion. Build your personal knowledge base with markdown, whiteboards, and databases. Recommended for the AlignFlow journaling practice.
OpenStreetMap — Community Maps
A free, editable map of the entire world built by volunteers. Use it, contribute to it, and build applications on top of it — the Wikipedia of maps.
KeePassXC — Password Manager
A free, open-source, cross-platform password manager. Store all your passwords in an encrypted local database — no cloud required, no subscription, no data collection.
Obsidian — Markdown Knowledge Graph
A powerful markdown-based note-taking app that stores everything locally. Build a personal knowledge graph, link ideas together, and use community plugins to extend functionality.
Standard Notes — Encrypted Notes
A free, open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes app. Your notes are private, secure, and accessible across all your devices. Syncs without ever seeing your content.
VLC — Universal Media Player
The free, open-source media player that plays virtually every audio and video format. No codecs needed, no tracking, no ads. Works on every platform.
Recommended Reading
Core texts that inform our practice: The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz), The Creative Act (Rick Rubin), The Dead Emcee Scrolls (Saul Williams), Freedom is a Constant Struggle (Angela Davis), The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho).
Insight Timer — Free Meditation App
The world's largest free meditation app with 150,000+ guided meditations, music tracks, and talks. Includes a timer for silent practice, sleep meditations, and courses from world-renowned teachers.
Wim Hof Breathing Method
The foundational breathwork technique combining controlled hyperventilation, breath retention, and cold exposure. Backed by scientific research for stress reduction, immune function, and mental clarity.
Box Breathing — Navy SEAL Technique
A simple 4-4-4-4 breath pattern used by Navy SEALs and first responders to regulate the nervous system under stress. Inhale 4 counts, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. Practice for 5 minutes daily.
Somatic Experiencing — Peter Levine
A body-oriented approach to healing trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine. SE works with physical sensations to release stored trauma from the nervous system — foundational to the AlignFlow practice.
Tara Brach — RAIN Meditation
Tara Brach's RAIN practice: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture. A mindfulness technique for working with difficult emotions. Free guided meditations and dharma talks available.
The Work of Byron Katie
A method of self-inquiry that questions stressful thoughts through four questions and a turnaround. Free worksheets, videos, and a Judge-Your-Neighbor worksheet available at thework.com.
Nadi Shodhana — Alternate Nostril Breathing
A pranayama technique from the yogic tradition that balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Reduces anxiety, improves focus, and prepares the mind for meditation.
Journaling for Clarity — Morning Pages
Julia Cameron's Morning Pages practice from The Artist's Way: three pages of longhand stream-of-consciousness writing every morning. Clears mental clutter and unlocks creative insight.
Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)
A traditional Buddhist meditation practice of cultivating unconditional goodwill toward oneself and others. Research shows it increases positive emotions, reduces bias, and builds resilience.
Headspace — Guided Meditation
A leading meditation and mindfulness app with structured courses for beginners and advanced practitioners. Offers free basics courses and specialized content for sleep, focus, and stress.
Non-Violent Communication — Marshall Rosenberg
NVC is a communication framework that connects us to our needs and the needs of others. Essential for community organizing, conflict resolution, and authentic self-expression.
Tap Score — Home Water Testing
Mail-to-lab water testing kits that test for 100+ contaminants including PFAS, chromium-6, VOCs, and heavy metals. Certified labs, detailed results with health context. Recommended for SGV residents.
Gift Economy & Sharing Resources
Learn about gift economy principles and how VisionSt48 integrates mutual aid into our business model — because community resilience starts with generosity.
Food Not Bombs — Free Food Sharing
An international movement that recovers food that would otherwise be discarded and shares free vegetarian meals with anyone who is hungry. Find or start a chapter in your area.
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
A grassroots disaster relief network operating on principles of solidarity, not charity. Connects communities affected by disasters with resources and support from other communities.
Buy Nothing Project
Hyperlocal gift economies where neighbors give and receive freely. Join your local Buy Nothing group to share items, skills, and time without money changing hands.
SELC — Sustainable Economies Law Center
Legal resources for cooperative businesses, community land trusts, and alternative economic models. Free guides on starting worker cooperatives and community-owned enterprises.
The Artist's Way — Julia Cameron
A 12-week course in discovering and recovering your creative self. Morning Pages and Artist Dates are the two core tools. Foundational for anyone integrating creativity into daily practice.
The Dead Emcee Scrolls — Saul Williams
A collection of poetry and prose that merges hip-hop aesthetics with mysticism, activism, and self-discovery. Saul Williams' work is a direct influence on the VisionSt48 voice and vision.
Bandcamp — Support Independent Artists
A music platform where artists keep 80–85% of revenue. Discover and directly support independent musicians, especially those making music that matters — jazz, hip-hop, experimental, and beyond.
Itch.io — Independent Games & Zines
An open marketplace for independent digital creators. Find and support indie games, zines, comics, and interactive art. A community-first alternative to corporate platforms.
Are.na — Collaborative Research
A platform for saving and organizing research, images, and ideas into visual collections. Used by designers, artists, and thinkers to build knowledge in public and connect with others.
Krita — Digital Painting
A free and open-source digital painting application. Professional-grade tools for concept art, illustration, comics, and animation. A powerful alternative to Procreate and Photoshop.
MuseScore — Free Music Notation
Create, play, and share sheet music for free. MuseScore is the world's most popular free music notation software, used by composers, educators, and musicians worldwide.
Letterboxd — Film Community
A social network for film lovers. Log films you've watched, write reviews, create lists, and discover films through the lens of people whose taste you trust. Cinema as community practice.
Commonplace Book Practice
The ancient practice of keeping a personal anthology of meaningful passages, quotes, observations, and ideas. A physical or digital commonplace book is a cornerstone of the CC creative process.
Vocal.media — Independent Publishing
A platform for independent writers and storytellers. Publish essays, poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction and earn from your work. Community-driven and creator-owned.
Substack — Independent Newsletters
Build a direct relationship with your readers through email newsletters. Writers keep full ownership of their subscriber lists and content. The CC recommends it for consistent creative output.
PurpleAir — Hyperlocal Air Monitoring
Community-operated sensor network providing hyperlocal PM2.5 data. Find sensors near your home for real-time neighborhood-level readings. Especially valuable in the SGV where pollution varies block by block near freeways.
SCAQMD Air Quality Alerts
South Coast Air Quality Management District alerts for the SGV. Sign up for email or SMS notifications for Ozone and PM2.5 advisories. The SCAQMD regulates air quality across the SGV and issues health advisories.
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