Thirty homes benefited from the Window Insulation Projects that youth from Booker T. Washington and Mary the Apostle Catholic Worker community conducted as their Earth Force projects.
“The project was designed to involve young people in helping elderly residents and those struggling to lower their energy costs while teaching them about the importance of producing less C02.
Before the event, participants filled out a survey about their current energy usage. They also learned about key energy-saving tips and received a free insulation kit for their homes.” (1)
Earth Force youth assisted some of the senior citizens to complete installation of the kits for doors and windows.
Anne Schmitt, the Earth Force facilitator and AmeriCorps, VISTA Volunteer at the Booker T. Washington Center, said: "When young people are given important roles from the start, such as the responsibility to care for their community and the environment, they can demonstrate valuable skills including problem solving and teamwork" (2)
“All participants also gained a broader sense of respect for their community. "I liked helping others, and through the WIP project I met neighbors I would have never met otherwise," said Quaneil Jones, age 12. Jones is one of the students, ages 11 to 18, who participated in the Dec. 20 event. The students are enrolled in an after-school program at the Booker T. Washington Center called Students Training for Academic and Real-World Success, or STARS.
Senior citizens from the GECAC Senior Center were thankful for the help they received at their homes. Resident Everlena Price said, ‘These programs not only help youth develop important life skills but these activities also keep them out of trouble while they contribute to the community.’” (3)
From the "Planters Group", eight Earth Force youth with Christina Smith, the Earth Force facilitator and member of the Mary the Apostle Catholic Worker Community installed plastic window insulation and door draft stoppers in their neighborhood.
All participants received a follow-up survey to compare their energy use before and after the installation of the kits and to learn about other ideas the residents try to lower their energy consumption.
These Window Installation Projects were supported by funding from Erie Weed and Seed. Window kits for participants were provided courtesy of the United Way of Erie County. Additional kits were also provided to the general public with free information about energy efficiency.
(1),(2), (3) VERONICA RODRIGUEZ, Erie Times News Newspaper in Education program, January 6, 2009,