August 8, 2011

Monday, the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) welcomed members of AmeriCorps to the area.

The team of 12 will be engaged in neighborhood and community outreach in Charlottesville and Albemarle County in August and September, informing residents about ways to receive free home energy reviews and helping them understand more energy-efficient options.

LEAP Executive Director Cynthia Adams says out of more than 40 applicants in the Southern Region, LEAP's "Empowering Neighborhoods" project was one of only seven selected to host a team.

“It's hugely important for us. As a non-profit we don't have a several hundred thousand dollar budget in order to do media advertising and other things, but we have really compelling products and services we can offer to the local community,” she said.

Among those services is a new online assessment, which takes homeowners on a step-by-step process of how to make their homes more energy efficient.

The AmeriCorps NCCC mission is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based service projects.