For over a year, 9 families toiled together under the blazing sun to build each other’s homes in the community of Desert Hot Springs under the auspices of the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition self-help housing program. The families devoted every minute of their free time laboring as a team to build not only their homes, but a sense of community within their neighborhood. Family members contributed 65 percent of all the labor including framing, roofing and most of the interior work. Committing to this type of “blood, sweat and tears” sweat equity instills an unparalleled pride of ownership and sets these families on the path to economic and housing stability. Not only that, the 9 families, who started out as strangers, have built a real sense of camaraderie and belonging.
To strengthen their community and further the economic independence of these families, GRID Alternatives Inland Empire will work with them to install solar on their homes to lower their monthly electric costs. The estimated $267,000 savings over the lifetime of the systems will allow additional money for food, clothing and other necessities -- and perhaps just time to enjoy their new homes and neighbors."
The installation of solar for these families will be a part of GRID Alternatives Inland Empire Solarthon 2015, our largest annual solar installation, fundraising, and visibility raising event. On January 24th, 2015, GRID Alternatives Inland Empire will be coming to the City of Desert Hot Springs, CA to kick off Solarthon 2015, This initial solar installation will be the first of 9, culminating in a week long installation event and block party the week of April 6 – 11, 2015. With the support of Mayor Adam Sanchez Sr. and the City of Desert Hot springs, hundreds of corporate sponsors, community organizations, job trainees, and individuals will come together to install solar for these hardworking and deserving Desert Hot Springs families during that week while increasing awareness for solar energy, healthy living, and raising vital dollars to support and sustain GRIDs work throughout the Inland Empire!
Join us and the 9 honored families to celebrate community and GRID's ongoing work through our Solarthon sponsorship opportunities and custom sponsorship packages! For more information visit http://www.gridalternatives.org/regions/ie/solarthon