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Getting WARM
Summer 2008
P ROMOTING S USTAINABLE A FFORDABLE C OMMUNITIES S INCE 1981
Success Story
K NOWLEDGE IS (S AVING ) P OWER
WARM continues its work to
educate Detroit residents on
energy efficiency, and in ef-
fect, energy savings. Rising
utility costs and a stagnant
economy make this knowl-
edge a vital tool of survival for
many, and WARM strives to
maximize its services to meet
the growing demand. By the
Nathaniel Scott is a 77 end of 2008, over 3,000 peo-
year old Sunday School ple will have received energy
teacher. He participated education in the form of work-
in WARM’s energy educa- shops or home visits.
tion program in December, None of this would
2007, when Andrea Flem- be possible without funding
from the Michigan Public
ing, one of WARM’s Service Commission, or with-
friendly energy educators, out the help of WARM’s part-
paid Nathaniel a home ners: The Salvation Army,
energy visit. Detroit Department of Human
Services, and The Heat and
“Initially, from her coming Warmth Fund (THAW). In George Highgate, WARM Energy Educator, teaches a workshop of nearly
out, it helped in a lot of addition to providing resi- 50 Detroit residents at Salvation Army’s Brightmoor Community Center
ways. My light bill went dents with assistance on their crisis at hand while empower-
man Services, work with
down 10 to 15 percent—a bills, the SA, DDHS, and WARM to ensure each client ing residents to control their
very noticeable decline— THAW sites such as Mack completes educational train- own energy use, now and in
Alive, Friendship House, and the future. WARM is ex-
after using those energy ing before re-
Acts 29 provide “These partnerships ceiving assis- tremely grateful to these or-
efficient light bulbs.” WARM with the space provide both long and tance. In this ganizations for giving us the
Mr. Scott also made use of and facilities to hold short term solutions” way, these part- opportunity to have a positive
the window kits, caulking, its workshops. These nerships provide impact on so many Detroit
agencies, along with the residents.
weather stripping, and both short and long term so-
Michigan Department of Hu- lutions. They deal with the
door sweep provided by
WARM to see a reduction
G REEN C ONSULTING F OR C ITIES !
in his gas bill, which he
called “tremendously im-
portant.”
Now Mr. Scott encourages If you look around the country you
people at his church to find that municipal governments have had a
enroll in the program when unique role in determining whether a region
they are having trouble adopts sustainable practices. Residents and
businesses are often much more inclined to
with their utility bills. “go green” if they see their municipal govern-
Regarding the combina- ments leading by example and providing in-
tion of WARM energy edu- centives.
cation and financial assis- WARM recently received a grant from
tance from THAW, Mr. the Michigan Public Service Commission that
will allow us to bring our expertise to local
Scott said, “Emotionally, governments. While awareness of green is-
the program saved my sues has become very high, actual knowledge The green roof atop Chicago’s City Hall demonstrates
life… The Lord heard my about best practices varies. We’ll be able to the City’s commitment to sustainability.
prayers!” help cities take those next steps, getting
With these partnerships in place, no
ahead of the curve on rising energy prices and
one has to reinvent the wheel and we can lev-
future carbon legislation. erage a better service for the region. Some
Save the Date: Oct. 29, 2008 Partnerships are at the center of groups have the connections to city govern-
Financial Institutions Commu- making this new program work. WARM will be ments, while others have the expertise, and all
nity Development Conference: partnering with the Michigan Suburbs Alli- share the desire to not let Michigan get left in
ance, SEMCOG, the Michigan Municipal the dust in the 21st century.
“Where Do We Go League, the US Green Building Council and
Stay tuned for more details on this
From Here?” others to help Detroit and other cities in the
region tackle how to make green work for exciting initiative as we roll out the program.
their circumstances.
NEWS BRIEFS
Congratulations GRDC
The Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation recently moved its offices to a newly renovated building on Grand River Avenue.
WARM was happy to lend its consultation services to help GRDC include many green building features in its new home, such as daylight-
ing tubes, high efficiency lighting and HVAC equipment, super-insulation, and recycled materials.
Get your questions answered with WARM’s new Green Blog
What kind of sustainable flooring works best in a bathroom? Are new windows a cost-effective investment? Go to
WARM’s new interactive Green Blog to get answers to all your green questions, share information, and see the latest
discussions regarding green topics. Find a link to the blog on WARM’s website: www.warmtraining.org
New Board Members
A WARM welcome to Greg McDuffee and Malik Goodwin. Malik is project management director at the Detroit Economic Growth Corpora-
tion. Greg is the general manager of the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority that owns and manages the Coleman A. Young Municipal
Center, a 2006 and 2007 Energy Star award winner. We value their contribution to WARM as we work to help Detroit Get Green!
Home Repair Class Series
WARM continues free homeowner education for Detroiters through our Home Repair Class Series. The class offers hands-on instruction
on basic carpentry, electrical and plumbing repair, painting and drywall repair, outdoor maintenance and landscaping, and green build-
ing and healthy homes. If your organization would like to host a home repair series, call Peter Klein at (313) 894-1030 x110.
WARM Training Center
4835 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48210
(313) 894-1030
Save the Date: Oct. 29 2008
Community Development
Conference
Get Green this Summer with
these Money $aving Tips: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Keep windows, curtains and Fall Conference to Focus on Future of Community Development
blinds closed on hot days to
keep out heat from sun;
Wednesday, October 29 be- sources of a Sustainable De-
open at night to let the gins an important three days velopment Assessment Team
cooler air in for those who care about (SDAT). This three day char-
neighborhood community de- rette, headed up by Dr. Mal-
Give your AC a break! Keep velopment in Detroit. It marks lach, will include national
doors or vents to unused the 2008 annual Community experts in the fields of energy,
rooms closed so your AC
land use, public transporta-
has less space to keep cool, Development Conference.
and opt for natural cooling In a time of major slowdown tion and green jobs.
whenever weather permits on new housing starts, a fore- Thursday’s conference will
Invest in a rain barrel. Di- closure crisis, high unemploy- give the team unique insight
vert water from your down- ment and struggling City ser- on the challenges community
spout to use for lawn and vices, the Conference theme leaders face in Detroit, mak-
garden care, car washing, was obvious: “Where Do We ing them better prepared for
etc. Your plants will like the Go From Here?” The key-
April’s Financial Institutions Commu-
their weekend’s work. Like-
untreated water and your note speaker will be Allan nity Development Conference focused wise, community leaders will
pocket book will thank you Mallach, senior fellow at the on food, jobs and energy in Detroit. benefit from the fresh input of
when the water bill comes! National Housing Institute. national experts as they grap-
Linked to the Conference is October 31 and Saturday, ple with the issues.
an exciting initiative taking November 1. The American Look for more information in
Promoting Sustainable Affordable Institute of Architects (AIA)
place in Detroit on Friday, the near future on both of
Communities Since 1981 has awarded Detroit the re- these events.
