July 2015 Meeting Reminder

from Sharon Lux

Hi Everyone​,​

       

Reminder of our MONTHLY MEETING , this Monday evening, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, July 27, 2015 at the Garden Club Center, 911 Parkway Drive, Fort Pierce, Fl. 34954. It is about 4 or 5 blocks west of the American Legion (our old meeting place) on Georgia Ave. It is the yellow building off the circle, right next to Glidden Park, you can’t miss it. Call me if you need directions​, ​772-528-4076, also a map is on our web-site. We will have water and green tea (free) available ​ and movie popcorn. Come early for some social time before our event; doors will open at 6:00pm. We must start on time to ensure we get out on time.

This month we will be showing the FREE film series presentation, "Years of Living Dangerously"

The film explores what is being done to fight the onslaught of population and climate changes .

 ​Please attend to find out how our local activism of Florida fracking bans have progressed and what we can all do to continue to get neighboring counties on board to ban fracking before the start of the January 2016 state legislative session.CLEAN DRINKING WATER is a major battle clearly in Florida's future. Also plans for Moral Monday rallies scheduled for September throughout the state and Awake The State rally plans for the upcoming 2016 state legislative session. Other exciting events includes a fall social gathering with our Space Coast Progressive Alliance neighbors.

 The most important place to be every month is our event, all our work and activism starts with the support we get from each other​ ​and the recognition of our organization depends on the number of people participating. Please come out, we need your support to make a difference, be part of the experience.

SELF HAS RECORD BREAKING MONTH

from Sharon Lux

Congratulations to SELF!  

The non-profit Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) set another record in June by closing more home improvement loans than in any preceding month over the last 4.5 years. In the past 30 days, SELF assisted 33 families with a quarter million dollars of low interest rate financing. The loan capital was raised from multiple non-governmental sources, including banks, faith-based organizations, impact investors, and worldwide crowdfunding (i.e., KIVA.org). The favorable financing was used last month for various home improvement projects, including 19 high efficiency air conditioners, 14 roofs, and miscellaneous items, such as solar water heaters, solar PV systems, windows, doors, LED lighting, weatherization and more. SELF’s results in June broke the previous record set in April 2015 and are comparable to the total amount of loans closed in the first 6 months of operations.

 SELF provides their beneficiaries with building science expertise, low-interest rate financing, and project management to help homeowners identify and finance cost-effective home improvements. More specifically, SELF finances energy efficiency, assorted solar technologies, wind resistant products (e.g., roofs and impact windows), and water conservation measures.

  

To date, SELF has helped more than 400 families complete $3.5 million of home improvement projects, with 70% of the lending activity occurring in low and moderate income census tracts. SELF has also developed special programs to help female heads of household and U.S. Military personnel, Veterans, and their families. One of SELF’s recent beneficiaries, Ruth Martinez, said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help, your enlightenment and your outstanding customer service.”

 SELF’s Executive Director, Doug Coward, said, “The SELF team is excited to see the rapid growth of the organization and the increased demand for our service.” He added, “We have grown from an initial pilot program started by the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners in 2010 to now operating as an independent non-profit in 30 jurisdictions with 114 approved contractors”. SELF is headquartered in St. Lucie County and recently expanded into the Orlando urban area in partnership with the Orlando City Commission and Orlando Utility Commission.

 For more information about SELF, please feel free to contact the organization by telephone at # (772) 468-1818 or visit www.solarenergyloanfund.org.