Success Story: Harmony Place Mobile Home Park Installs 16 AC Units During Extreme Heatwave and Drought

Last month, FACS received a pressing request from Fairfax County OEEC - Resilient Fairfax about households with no or inadequate air conditioning in Harmony Place Mobile Home Park on the Route 1 Corridor.

While the county administers federally-funded cooling programs, many residents in need do not qualify. Examples included a family of refugees with a 3-year-old, whose trailer was over 100 degrees on a hot day, and a pregnant mother with two kids without AC for over a year, unable to qualify for existing cooling programs because the children were over the age of 5.

FACS sent out an Action Alert asking FACS Supporters in Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria to consider purchasing 16 AC units for homes identified as critical need. Within 48 hours, all of the needs initially identified were met by our amazing supporters. Rebuilding Together, in coordination with county staff, began the process of installing units as soon as they were delivered.

Save the Date: Climate Crisis Forum

Mark your calendars for our annual Climate Crisis Forum on October 7th, 7-9 PM. With the theme Green Schools for Sustainable Communities, the forum will discuss how our public schools are addressing the climate crisis through sustainable building management and construction practices while educating and engaging K-12 students. Location and registration details are coming soon!

Faith in Action – Making Personal & Systemic Change

The planet is one year into the 1.5°C threshold where global heating is catastrophic. Systemic change is essential. We need to grow sturdy enough—spiritually, emotionally, and collectively—to turn the heat down.

Nature Corner – My Congregation, Creation Care, and Me

There are many ways our congregations can start treading more lightly on God’s green Earth. See a list of possible activities you can take to inspire action.

Build a Green Team at Your Congregation with IPC’s Faithful Green Leaders Training Program!

FACS is thrilled to partner with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) to empower Virginia faith congregations through their Faithful Green Leaders Training Program this upcoming October. Join our info session on Thursday, August 15, 3 PM to discover how this free, 3-part workshop can equip your congregation with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to build a Green Team, develop an action plan, and lead the community to take climate action.

Get Your House of Worship a Bird Sanctuary with a Free Site Visit!

The first 20 Fairfax faith communities that request a FREE site visit will receive a mini bird sanctuary. Dedicated volunteers from Plant NoVA Natives and Audubon at Home will help you evaluate your current practices, preserve trees and habitat, eliminate invasive plants, and reduce unnecessary lawn.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Buildings UP award, this informative session will connect houses of worship with the tools and support needed to cut wasted energy and conserve resources for their missions.

David Kepley from Providence Presbyterian Church, an Earth Care congregation, shares how they organized a Green Team to implement sustainable practices in the church, their current sustainability programs, and their upcoming initiatives.

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