New Jersey Future Blog
A Tale of Two Upbringings and a Shared Vision For a Healthy Environment
May 21st, 2025 by New Jersey Future staff
By Jyoti Venketraman, director of collaborations and organizational equity, and Andrea Sapal, program manager
Our formative years and lived experiences are vastly different. One of us is a first-generation immigrant, and the other is a second-generation immigrant, both of whom call this state their home. We both bring distinctly different cultural lenses and identities, yet we have shared passions and values for creating a healthy environment for everyone in NJ.
Jyoti: My formative memories of water took shape in India, rooted in a few distinct experiences. One, the first monsoon rain, and the sense of joy it brought after the scorching summer heat. Two, the flooding from heavy monsoon rains, and how difficult it would be to get to anywhere. Lastly, being aware of an inconsistent water supply, which required a workaround of storage tanks on the roof of buildings or underground, so that water is collected and stored for later use. These past events inform and shape my work today on issues of affordable and reliable water supply, and ensuring there are solutions to prevent flooding in communities across NJ.
Andrea: “Did you hear? The land is no good. It’s polluted.” Growing up, I heard various versions of that statement from the adults around me concerning a plot of land in Jersey City across from my neighborhood, but I thought nothing of it. Later, I learned the site was formerly home to a chromium manufacturing facility, which dumped chromate waste into the river, contaminating the soil and drinking water. Recently, during a conference, I found myself looking at photos of the area I knew so well. The presenter, Captain Bill Sheehan of Hackensack Riverkeeper, launched the lawsuit to hold the polluters accountable for contamination of the river. His activism will positively impact kids like me, who grew up near contaminated water sites. My lived experiences shape how important I view my work today, being part of the solution that will benefit future generations of New Jerseyans.
We both believe that a healthy environment should not be the privilege of a few but a right for everyone! Our unique cultural lens enriches our collective work through the Sewage Free Streets and Rivers Campaign, which is focused on NJ’s combined sewer overflow towns.
Tags: clean water, drinking water, equity, flood, flooding, pollution, sewage free, water pollution