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“This
grant
allows
us to
empower
local
organizations
and
residents
to
combat
climate
change
while
building
sustainable,
equitable
solutions,”
said
Briana
DuBose,
Executive
Director
of
EcoWorks.
“It
demonstrates
our
unwavering
commitment
to
environmental
justice
and
community
resilience.” |
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EcoWorks
receives
$20
Million
Grant to
advance
sustainable
development
in SE
Michigan
DETROIT
–
EcoWorks,
a
Detroit-based
nonprofit
championing
environmental
justice,
has been
awarded
a
landmark
$20
million
Community
Change
Grant
(CCG).
This
transformative
funding
will
drive
sustainable
and
equitable
development
across
Southeast
Michigan,
prioritizing
climate
resilience,
energy
efficiency,
and
environmental
justice
in
underserved
communities.
Notably,
EcoWorks
is one
of the
first
Michigan-based,
minority-
and
woman-led
organizations
to
receive
such a
substantial
grant.
Advancing
Community-Led
Climate
Solutions
EcoWorks
unveiled
its
vision
for the
grant at
a press
event
held at
St.
Peter’s
Episcopal
Church
in
Detroit.
The
event,
in
partnership
with
Solar
Faithful
and
Michigan
Interfaith
Power &
Light,
outlined
plans to
implement
community-driven
solutions.
These
include
energy-efficient
upgrades,
solar
energy
installations,
and
resilience
hubs in
Detroit’s
most
vulnerable
neighborhoods.
“This
grant
allows
us to
empower
local
organizations
and
residents
to
combat
climate
change
while
building
sustainable,
equitable
solutions,”
said
Briana
DuBose,
Executive
Director
of
EcoWorks.
“It
demonstrates
our
unwavering
commitment
to
environmental
justice
and
community
resilience.”
As a
symbolic
gesture,
DuBose
presented
golden
tickets
to 15
organizations
that
will
collaborate
on
impactful
projects
under
the CCG
initiative.
Grant
Recipient
Organizations
include:
New
Mount
Hermon
Missionary
Baptist
Church
Pilgrim
Baptist
Church
St.
Suzanne's
Cody
Rouge
Community
Resource
Center
St.
Peter's
Episcopal
Church
Capuchin
Soup
Kitchen
(Meldrum,
Conner
Kitchen,
and
Services
Center)
SDM2
Project
Education
and
Community
House
Detroit
Grandale
Salvation
Army
Genesis
Hope
Safe
Hope
COGIC
Christ
Church
Detroit
Lord of
Lords
Muslim
Center
Mosque
and
Community
Center
Community
Change
Grant
Objectives
The $20
million
grant
will
target
critical
areas to
improve
climate
resilience
and
reduce
environmental
and
energy
burdens.
Initiatives
include
installing
solar
energy
systems,
energy
storage,
green
infrastructure,
and
electric
vehicle
(EV)
chargers.
A key
focus
will be
the
transformation
of 20
food
pantries
and soup
kitchens
into
“community
resilience
hubs,”
providing
vital
resources
during
emergencies
such as
extreme
weather
events
or power
outages.
“These
hubs
will
offer
safety,
connection,
and
sustainability
to
Detroit
residents
while
advancing
climate
justice,”
DuBose
explained.
Additional
goals of
the
grant
include:
Developing
healthier,
safer
neighborhoods
with
cleaner
air and
water.
Establishing
resilience
hubs to
provide
emergency
resources.
Increasing
access
to clean
transportation
for
work,
healthcare,
and food
access.
Promoting
energy
independence
for
residents
and
businesses.
Reducing
utility
costs
for
local
communities.
The
initiative
also
aims to
create
local
jobs,
lower
greenhouse
gas
emissions,
improve
air
quality,
and
mitigate
flooding,
while
educating
residents
about
clean
energy
solutions.
The
program
builds
on
findings
from a
2022
study by
EcoWorks
and the
University
of
Michigan,
which
highlighted
the
importance
of
trusted
local
facilities
as
resilience
hubs in
energy
justice
neighborhoods.
A
Nationally
Recognized
Program
As one
of only
two
projects
selected
nationwide,
the
Detroit
Community
Change
Grant
underscores
Michigan’s
leadership
in
equitable
climate
action.
For more
info,
visit
www.ecoworksdetroit.org
.
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