Program Sat. at Ada Jenkins seeks to find homes in need of repairs

Did you know there may be federal stimulus funding available to help make your home more energy efficient? A coalition of local non-profit groups and churches will hold a workshop and neighborhood canvass Saturday in Davidson to seek applications and help get that word out.

The Davidson African-American Coalition, in partnership with the Ada Jenkins Center, local churches affiliated with Helping Empower Local People (HELP North Mecklenburg) and the Gaston Community Action agency, will sponsor an informational workshop and neighborhood canvass about the federally-funded Weatherization Stimulus program. The Coalition will convene the workshop and neighborhood outreach event on Saturday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St.

The weatherization program is designed to help make homes more energy efficient, according to the Rev. Dora DuBose, of Davidson African-American Coalition.

“We are now canvassing and trying to find people who can use these services,” the Rev. DuBose said Thursday.

More than $3 million in stimulus funds are available to help households in Mecklenburg County, she said. The recession has affected many, even some in Davidson, where the perception is that this community is “recession-proof,” she said.

Saturday’s event is aimed at connecting people in need with the federal dollars available. Residents will get help complete application forms and some canvassers will go directly to homes to seek their participation in this program.

Saturday’s event will bring together a diverse cross-section of Davidson organizations and agencies to tackle the weatherization issue, including the Town of Davidson and Mayor John Woods, the Davidson African-American Coalition, the Ada Jenkins Center, Gaston Community Action, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, as well as St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Davidson Presbyterian Church and Gethsemane Baptist Church, which are affiliated with the community organizing network called H.E.L.P. North Mecklenburg.

Representatives of the Gaston Community Action agency – the local organization that oversees the use of federal stimulus funds for weatherization in a 4-county area including Mecklenburg – will attend to inform residents about the program, assist them in completing applications and answer questions.

For more information about the event, please call the Rev. Dora DuBose, Organizer for the Davidson African-American Coalition, 704-799-5388, or the Touré Marshall, organizer for HELP North Mecklenburg, 609-638-1943.