Project Petals- Your Story Matters

Call for Extreme-Heat stories.

Project Petals has been selected as a 2026 U.S. Civil Society grant recipient from the Pulitzer Center for Environmental Justice, Heat, Work & Us: A Community Conversation on Climate, Labor, and Environmental Equity in New York City. As part of the initiative, we’re inviting New Yorkers to share their experiences with extreme heat and how it has affected their everyday lives, work, health, safety, income, or career. We want to hear from anyone whose life or job is affected by rising temperatures or inadequate cooling. Your story doesn’t need to be long or polished—just honest and in your own words. We’re looking for a photo of you, a photo of you in your work environment if you’re comfortable, and a few sentences about your experience.

These stories will help document what extreme heat looks like for New Yorkers and working people across New York City and bring greater visibility to experiences that are often overlooked. Selected stories will be shared through Project Petals’ digital platforms and campaign materials. You will receive a $50 stipend if your story is selected.

Please submit your story by August 28th.

Call for Extreme-Heat Speakers

Selected stories may be shared through Project Petals’ digital platforms and campaign materials, and participants will also have opportunities to take part in community conversations, storytelling workshops, and a public showcase connecting residents with local media, advocates, and decision-makers. We’re also looking for workers, organizers, researchers, advocates, artists, policymakers, and community leaders interested in speaking or contributing to our workshops. Your experience is expertise, and your story can help shape the conversation about the future of work, heat, and our communities. You will receive a $100 stipend if you are selected as a speaker. Please submit a bio to info@projectpetals.org to be considered for speaking opportunities.