ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

Restoration has been busy with its greening initiatives over the last few months.

COOL ROOFS
Restoration partnered with the Community Environmental Center (CEC) to help CEC meet its target to paint 1,000,000 sq ft of Cool Roofs, a highly reflective material that is "painted onto" existing roofs, in New York City. CEC spent 3 days training Restoration's Justice Corps on this relatively new and inexpensive technology that can reduce roof temperatures by as much as 30 degrees in the summertime, air conditioning costs by as much as 50%, not to mention the urban heat island effect and CO2 emissions.

At the end of the 3-days, the Justice Corps participants learned a new skill set, Restoration had nearly 41,000 sq ft of roof painted, and CEC is now a little closer to meetings its target. We hope to continue to work with CEC and the Justice Corps to paint more Cool Roofs throughout the neighborhood!

CONSTRUCTION TRAINING
In March, Restoration kicked off its first cycle of Green Construction Training, thanks to a grant from New York State Department of Labor and SEEDCO. For the last 10 weeks, participants from across Central Brooklyn have engaged in work-readiness classes, including preparation to test in the Work Readiness Credential, a nationally recognized certification issued by the US Dept. of Labor. Students have also learned construction basics, with a focus on weatherization, or work that is conducted to make homes more energy efficient. After shadowing Restoration's Weatherization Assistance program, participants will be placed in internships, followed by job placement.

The second cycle of the training will begin on June 15th. To learn more about attending an orientation session for this training, contact Loi Williams at 718-636-6939.

RETROFIT BED STUY BLOCK BY BLOCK
Retrofit Bed Stuy Block by Block is a holistic approach to making the surrounding neighborhood more energy efficient. By working with block leadership-from a block association to a church, we engage the entire block to help them reduce their energy use-whether it be behavioral or actual construction. Not only is it good for the planet, but it reduces energy bills.

Restoration is nearly finished Retrofitting the 100 and 200 blocks of Herkimer Street. Over the last year, Restoration planted 48 trees, created a community garden, painted murals, and helped Friendship Baptist Church and 15 homes become more energy efficient.

We are now recruiting blocks to participate in the next round of Retrofit Bed Stuy Block by Block! If you would like your block to participate, ask your block association to contact Rachael Dubin at 718-636-6927.