EASTSIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK (PRC Oral Storytelling Project)

In this episode, listeners will hear from the CEO & President of Eastside Community Network, Donna Givens Davidson, and the Director of Climate Equity, Ricky Ackerman.

In their community project, the Eastside Community Network (ECN) has identified the impacts of the urban heat island, increased precipitation, and lack of social cohesion in the Lower Eastside of Detroit, MIEastside Community Network (ECN) has identified the impacts of the urban heat island, increased precipitation, and lack of social cohesion in the Lower Eastside of Detroit, MI, in their community project. ECN identified neighborhood centers, also known as resilience hubs, to help residents during and after climate impacts. ECN is retrofitting a demonstration home with renewable energy (such as solar power and geothermal climate control), LEDs, low flow/flush plumbing (toilets and faucets), commercial kitchens, energy star appliances, and structures to collect and reuse rainwater, shared broadband, and community gardens. ECN also works with waste management through composting, which benefits community gardens and reduces waste going to landfills. The ECN resilience hubs will be networked throughout the Lower Eastside of Detroit by partnering with neighborhood leaders. These homes owned by residents will be retrofitted and open to the community during climate impacts. This exchange assists community members who volunteer their homes by updating and repairing various structures while reducing their environmental impact and utility bills. Through community storytelling, ECN will continue to share the benefits of climate resilience and the work that they have done with community members.