When Tammy Black bought a home on Eastlawn Street in Detroit in September 2022, she had a vision of connecting the block in a new, brighter way. Black, the founder and CEO of the Community Treehouse Center Detroit, helps neighborhoods get access to solar power energy as a more sustainable option than traditional ways.
She also owns Communities Power, a business that brings affordable solar energy to low-income communities, including homeowners, renters, and businesses. But for the past two years, she’s been working to bring another vision of a solar training house to fruition, and she’s nearing the finish line, but financial hurdles still remain.
The vision includes the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood becoming home to this innovative community space that will be a training hub for renewable energy, a community resilience center, and a space for beneficial programming with inclusivity at its core through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Community Treehouse Center Detroit announced the campaign recently, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by May 5, 2024, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.
“This project will transform a vacant house into a vibrant community space with inclusive programming,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
Founded in 2018, the local nonprofit Community Treehouse Center Detroit, works to promote the diversity of individuals in the community, the mental and physical well-being of youth, and inclusion of people of all ages and abilities using holistic interventions. The group’s vision is to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future, fostering a community where individuals not only survive but actively participate and contribute to a thriving, interconnected society.
The Solar Training House is the first of its kind and will serve as a community hub and have a wide range of programming, from solar technologies workforce training for individuals with disabilities to community gardening events, nutrition classes, mental health programs, and financial literacy programs. These programs will be run in partnership with the Community Treehouse Center Detroit and other local nonprofits and organizations.
Additionally, the training will include an eight-week program that teaches solar design principles, solar panel installation techniques, and protocols, followed by mock exams, feedback sessions, and additional hands-on installations. The course will incorporate immersive experiences such as visits to job sites and product locations for hands-on training. Trainees are also able to earn their OSHA safety and training certificates. Recognizing that not all trainees may pursue PV installations, we highly value their contributions to the solar industry. Therefore, we offer on-the-job teachings essential to the industry in the areas of sales, design, administration, as well as labor, and community engagement. The goal is to prepare these individuals for sustained success in the solar industry while addressing their diverse needs. The program is adapted for people with disabilities, so the space will be ADA-compliant.
To ensure long-term success, Black said, the eight-week program will be complemented by wrap-around services, including mental health counseling, provided by Creative Empowerment Counseling Services Corporation, to help these individuals cope through difficulties, job placement assistance for easy matriculation into the workforce and financial literacy for long-term sustainability. Communities Power, in conjunction with Community Treehouse Center Detroit and Financial professionals, will conduct these trainings at the Solar Training House.
“The PSCP matching grant program will be immensely beneficial to the Solar Training house project. This support will enable us to amplify our efforts and make significant strides towards achieving our renewable energy objectives,” said Black. “With the assistance of the PSCP grant, our project will experience a substantial boost, fostering education, innovation, and sustainable practices within our community.”
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
“Innovative thinking coming out of Detroit’s eastside neighborhoods is nothing new,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “The area is a bastion for local initiatives, and the Solar Technology House will provide a first-of-its-kind community hub that will serve residents for years to come.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014, with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of March 4, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $12.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 368 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $14 million raised from 68,444 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.
To donate directly, visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/solar_training_house#!/
According to the fundraising website:
“All donation sizes are welcome because every donation counts! You can help by donating here, using the orange support button, or by spreading the word on social media using the share buttons below the title. Thank you in advance for your time, consideration, and donation!!
“If you have any further questions, inquiries, or would prefer to give offline by cash or check please make donation out to Community Treehouse Center Detroit and contact Tammy Black at (313)903-0639, or Willa Strawder at (313) 723-3768.”
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