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At PACAN, we believe real change starts with the people most affected. Our work is rooted in community education, empowerment, and action—bringing residents together to learn, organize, and advocate for environmental and economic justice. From hosting neighborhood events to leading powerful discussions and tours, we’re building awareness and resilience across Port Arthur, one gathering at a time.
Thanksgiving Dinner & Plastics Awareness Event
Thanksgiving Dinner & Plastics Awareness Event
Our Thanksgiving Dinner brought together over 100 community members for a celebration of food, fellowship, and learning. Alongside sharing a meal, we used the event to educate our neighbors about the hidden dangers of plastics—from the petrochemical processes that create them to the way they end up in our food and bodies. PACAN encouraged families to make small but meaningful changes by choosing reusable, plant-based alternatives to Styrofoam and single-use plastics. The event was a powerful reminder that environmental justice begins at home and within our community.
Community Health Fair
Community Health Fair
PACAN hosted a Health Fair to connect residents with vital resources and information about protecting their health in an area surrounded by heavy industry. Attendees received free health screenings, educational materials, and access to local organizations focused on wellness and environmental health. The fair emphasized the link between pollution, chronic illnesses, and quality of life—empowering residents with knowledge and tools to advocate for cleaner air, safer neighborhoods, and healthier futures.
Pipeline Awareness Meeting
Pipeline Awareness Meeting
As new pipeline projects like the proposed De La Pipeline threaten to cut through cities—running dangerously close to schools and homes—PACAN co-hosted a public meeting to ensure residents are informed and prepared. Experts and advocates explained what these projects mean for landowners, their property rights, and their options when approached by these companies. The meeting also mapped out the proposed route and opened space for residents to ask questions, share concerns, and strategize on how to protect their land, safety, and community.
Toxic Tours
Toxic Tours
Through our signature Toxic Tours, PACAN exposes the realities of living in a city surrounded by petrochemical plants and refineries. We guide residents, elected officials, students, and visitors through key industrial sites in Port Arthur, sharing data and personal stories about the health and economic tolls of pollution. These tours not only educate but also inspire action—reminding participants that while Port Arthur has long been treated as a sacrifice zone, our community is fighting for a cleaner, healthier, and more just future.
Coffee with PACAN
Coffee with PACAN
The “Coffee with PACAN” event brings together an engaged group of community members for an open discussion on local concerns, including industrial development and infrastructure issues in the city. The event creates a welcoming space for residents to share concerns and connect with the PACAN Team, strengthening community relationships. Building on the success of the first coffee event, we plan to continue this series in other fence line communities across Port Arthur.
Our Rooted in Resilience project highlighted a natural approach to strengthening our communities through trees and plants, nature’s original carbon capture system. While carbon capture and storage projects continue expanding across the Gulf Coast, this project focused on proven, community-based solutions that help improve air quality, reduce flooding and erosion, and create healthier neighborhoods. Thanks to the support of the Health Department, our volunteers, and committee members, the event was a huge success, providing over 120 plants and trees across more than seven different varieties, including azaleas, hibiscus, juniper, and more.
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