CALLING: Community Support for Sharon Lewis

Beloved EJ leader Sharon Lewis has experienced an environmental disaster at her home in Hartford, CT. We are calling on the community to raise funds to help Sharon recover and return to her home.

On December 4th, 2022, Sharon discovered 4-5 feet of sewage, rainwater, and oil in her basement. The furnace was underwater, her oil tank bobbed like the Titanic, and black sludge covered the basement floor. Everything in the basement was destroyed. The fire department could not extract the water so they called the City of Hartford. The licenses and Inspections person came out; ordered the electricity and the water shut off and told Sharon to vacate the premises immediately. Since there was no operating furnace, there was no heat and the city ordered Sharon to leave her home immediately. The insurance company denied Sharon's claim because she lacked sewer backup coverage. She is yet to receive the bill for the extraction of approximately 73,000 gallons of sewage, rainwater, and oil but has been told the cost will range from 75k-100k dollars.

Recently, Sharon returned to her home to inspect the damage and found that the water had not been properly shut off but instead, the pipes over her dining room and burst. Half of the ceiling collapsed. At the moment Sharon's staying in a hotel without any indication as to when she'll be able to return home as she has extensive damage in the living quarters as well as the basement. She's sought assistance through the local social service agency but is still waiting to hear back on her assistance requests.

Her story made the front page of the Hartford Courant (above the fold).

As the story goes, state services are unreliable and we must come together to help our friend. Sharon is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice and has been dedicated to advocacy around environmental justice in low-income communities for decades. Sharon has been there for us time and time again. It's our time now. Any and all donations are immensely appreciated! Please feel free to share Sharon's story and fundraising campaign with others to help her reach her goal!