Founded in 1966, by Puerto Rican activists as the emerging Puerto Rican community faced social service and social justice challenges, UPROSE is Brooklyn's oldest Latino community-based organization. In 1996 our mission shifted to organizing, advocacy and developing intergenerational indigenous leadership through activism. In reaching these goals, our primary efforts focus on environmental, social and economic justice. UPROSE is engaged in:

  • Organizing
  • Community Education
  • Development and support of intergenerational indigenous leadership
  • Civic involvement
  • Research
  • Advocacy
  • Community based planning
Since 1998, UPROSE has nurtured the Environmental Enforcers, an effort founded and led by Sunset Park youth dedicated to educating and mobilizing the community around environmental issues. In 2002, the Environmental Enforcers founded Youth Justice, which houses five groups committed to social justice.

Our involvement has served to reshape citywide and regional policy. UPROSE worked to ensure that the State Department of Transportation committed itself to funding a Gowanus Tunnel Study. We were also involved in the redrafting of the NYC Solid Waste Management Plan. Operating at a different level, UPROSE has also helped residents present and effective voice before authorities: as co-organizers of the White House Council on Environmental Quality tour, our organization was instrumental in the examination of environmental justice in New York City by federal officials.

What's New at UPROSE?

Our 40th anniversary year has been remarkable. As part of NYC's EJ leadership, we helped pass NYS's first Brownfield legislation. As a result Sunset Park received $36 million towards our waterfront park! Our community-led greenway design is almost complete and the community is laced with baby trees planted through our urban forestry project. Over 100 young people were trained by our Youth Justice At The Table initiative and we have received the following awards:
  • 2006 EPA Quality Award
  • 2006 Urban Agenda: inaugural Urban Visionary Award
  • 2006 Big Green Apple Inaugural NYC Council Environmental Leadership Award
  • 2006 Ordinary People: Extraordinary Acts Award from Turning Point