In the past 3 months Soulardarity has made some very significant strides! This winter we increased the number of our strategic local partnerships and national alliances; pushed forward with our PowerUp program; and launched a new 100% Highland Park campaign that builds power and solves problems in our community & organization. The advancements towards community-owned clean energy not only reflects our ability to meet 2018 organizational goals and priorities we set forth; we also see evidence of strengthening the energy democracy movement for both Highland Park and the region.
We’ve already accomplished a lot this quarter! Here are a few quick updates and information about how to get involved:
Getting Free with Community Solar
- Businesses and Organizations could be great leaders of Community Owned Energy in HP! To learn more click here: Get Free: Understanding the Potential for Community Solar Power in Highland Park
- With the help of Anistia Thomas, Co-Chair, Strategic Partnerships & Membership of The Highland Park Business Association, we had a great turn out at the Community Solar Lunch & Learn Event
- How can I get involved in Community Solar? We are building up host sites and seeking investment through our Community Solar Feasibility Assessment. To request a phone call or site visit COMPLETE THE FORM HERE
Help us take it to the next level with a donation to Parker Village Shines today! |
PowerUP 2018 is moving Forward!
The Soulardarity PowerUP program provides an opportunity for neighbors in Highland Park and surrounding areas to take advantage of great savings by pull their money together to purchase solar products they otherwise would not be able to afford. For more information please reach out to Maria Thomas, Program Coordinator. RSVP for the EST Fair to hear our big PowerUP announcement
Building Partnerships & Growing Impact
“We have a lasting relationship with Soulardarity and have for years. In Jakobi Ra Park, in Avalon Village, Soulardarity helped us to install Highland Park’s first residential solar street light. Soulardarity will also help us greatly with Avalon Village’s green infrastructure, so we’re looking forward to even more years of partnership with Soulardarity.” — Shu Harris, Avalon Village
Catching The Sun Screening & Discussion: This film explores the burgeoning solar energy industry and its impact on hopeful job seekers in the United States. We held an engaging discussion following the film, shared good food and heard from our local partners about the great works they are doing! Thanks: Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe, Ryter Cooperative Industries, Ecoworks, ArtOps Organization, Solar Neighbors of Detroit, The Cooperation Group, Studio[Ci], The Avalon Village, and Detroit Radical Childcare.
ArtOps Re-Granting Ideathon: As a host for this event we offered the community the chance to get grant writing tips and meet with your friends and neighbors to discuss creative collaborations. “Thank you to Soulardarity for hosting one of [our] “Ideathon” events, where we provided information to the residents of Highland Park about our “Community heART Highland Park” grant opportunity. -Jainelle Robinson of ArtOps
Inspired by this work? Donate to Parker Village Shines today! |
Growing The Vision for Highland Park
Community Research Plan: We’re creating a blueprint for energy democracy in Highland Park, founded on community research on the most pressing energy needs of Highland Park homes, businesses, and institutions. Our aim is to door assess 25 homes for initial data, with a goal of 200 in total. Volunteers can register at soulardarity.com/volunteer
Louis Tutt was one of the hosts of a Getting Energy Smart Weatherization party he says, “Ecoworks and Soulardarity are awesome orgs! The volunteers learned a lot. We wrapped my furnace pipes and sealed the windows with plastic. My guests seemed highly satisfied as they learned weatherization tips and other ways to save energy.” Download a FREE copy of the Ecoworks Get Energy Smart workbook distributed to folks attending our weatherization series.
Detroit Training Center’s Home Solar Workshop: Delegates of Soulardarity’s Campaign Team attended and brought back best practices and DYI tips to share with the group. This educational opportunity will allow the team to better engage the residents of Highland Park when questions arise about the process of installing solar on their homes and property.
Advancing Energy Democracy
Soulardarity has led a group of partners and allies advocating for access to clean energy in Michigan. We’ve sent comments to to the Michigan Public Service Commission on their proposed Distributed Generation Program pushing for affordability, accessibility, and equity so that all communities can access the benefit of clean energy.
“We would like to thank the Soulardarity team for spreading the word about our solar and home rehabilitation project, known as The Seebaldt Pilot. The Soulardarity organization has gotten our information out in places and upon ears that we could not reach. We would like to thank the entire Soulardarity crew for being so supportive and helping us to reach new heights. God bless you all.”
National Soulardarity Highlights
Nationswell: HIGHLAND PARK TAKES POWER BACK
Soulardarity won the first place prize in the Vehicle of Change contest, earning us $25,000 to keep building community energy solutions. Check out some of our other coverage below!
Electrical Contractor’s Magazine: Soulardarity, RCI Partner to Light up Highland Park (article)
Riverwise– Self-empowerment Through Solar Energy (article)
We’re also featured in the 2018 summary video of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation thanks to the media support we received from The Solutions project.
Coming Up: Energy, Sustainability, and Tech Fair in Highland Park
The Energy, Sustainability, and Tech Fair in Highland Park on May 12th is being held by Parker Village, Soulardarity, and Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association to convene community members, sustainability businesses, and activists for a day from 11am-4pm and will include workshops on the basics of solar energy, financing solar systems and energy upgrades, sustainability and efficiency technology, and local energy issues.
A night-time reception and commissioning of Highland Park’s first smart solar-powered streetlight will follow at Parker Village and continue into the evening.
Click here to become a sponsor
Inspired by this work? Help us take it to the next level with a donation to Parker Village Shines today! |
ENERGIZING THOUGHT: This season I was reminded that “It’s not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It’s because we dare not venture that they are difficult.”
Going forward… stay energized and seek sustainability!
Shimekia Nichols, Staff | (e) communications@soulardarity.com
http://www.soulardarity.com/