The Winter of 2015 has been brutal, making it especially hard on families and individuals who are struggling to pay their bills and keep their homes warm and safe.
It is the mission of United Way of Long Island to ensure our community members are able to maintain income stability. In an effort to reach millions of Long Islanders during this season’s bitter cold snap, UWLI housing experts demonstrated to the media some quick “how-tos” on how to tighten your home and keep the heat from escaping - and more importantly to keep the dollar from escaping.
While visiting UWLI’s E3 SmartBuild Center in Deer Park, NY, media watched with great interest as part of the demonstration included a home pressure test. Stephen Muzyka, Director of Housing and Training Services explains in the videos below how this helps families save money.
The UWLI E3 SmartBuild Center was developed in partnership with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to increase energy-efficiency in existing homes and develop a green-collar workforce that will fulfill the demand of the expanding green economy on Long Island. The Center acts as a tool to provide hands-on, energy related training and certification programs that provide financial stability for those who train there. At the E3 SmartBuild Center students from UWLI’s YouthBuild and VetsBuild programs receive more than an education; they come away with skills, and in some cases a certification in hand, that opens doors for them to a career with upward mobility in the growing Green Construction field.
With spring still months away, UWLI relies on its partners and supporters to help bring resources to Long Islanders, especially those who find themselves in need of assistance heating their homes. National Grid Foundation has been a staunch supporter of United Way’s fuel assistance program - Project Warmth. This is a program that enables residents who are facing heating and utilities emergencies to keep a warm and healthy home. This is especially important for families with young children or the elderly.
Residents who would like to inquire about heating assistance though Project Warmth should dial the 2-1-1 Long Island Call Center to speak with at case manager. (Dial 2-1-1 or 1-888-774-7633 Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
