Local Nonprofit Launches Solar Fundraiser to Support Independent Living Community

Lansing Intentional Communities, a nonprofit organization that helps adults with disabilities obtain housing and resources to live independently, is fundraising to install a solar array to power part of its community.

The fundraising goal of $22,000 is lofty, but switching to solar power will save money over time and Lansing Intentional Communities, or LINCS, seeks to provide lifelong support for members of its community, said LINCS Founder Mary Douglass.

“It’s a lot when you think of other things we could do with $22,000, but this is a real long term sustaining project, so it’s just a really exciting thing to work on,” she said.

LINCS built its first house in 2017 and has expanded to have three houses and an apartment. The community includes seven residents and a community builder, who helps residents foster social connections.

Along with providing affordable housing, LINCS gives resources to help residents flourish while living independently. This includes helping to find appropriate work opportunities and holding outings like trivia nights so residents build relationships in the community.

Last April, The Peoples Church in East Lansing donated a house to LINCS under the direction of Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit housing organization. Volunteers from the church worked for six months to renovate a duplex, which two residents moved into late last year.

LINCS, The Peoples Church and Habitat For Humanity worked together to renovate a duplex last year. The duplex now provides two adults with disabilities an opportunity to live independently. (Courtesy photo)

During the renovation process, Marc Lyon, a member of the church’s Earth Stewardship Committee, had an idea.

“I began to believe that the duplex might be an attractive location for rooftop solar as the house has plenty of rooftop exposure facing south during most of the year,” Lyon said.

In addition to the church committee, Lyon also serves as The Peoples Church’s representative to the Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, or MiIPL, capital area chapter. MiPL is a faith-based organization that encourages using renewable energy and sustainable practices.

“I approached the chapter about supporting LINCS decision to add rooftop solar. The chapter decided to take this on as a fundraising effort,” Lyon said.

In January, the fundraising effort to add the solar array began, with plans to continue raising money into the spring. The solar array project is expensive, but it will keep LINCS sustainable and be a smart investment in the long run.

“The current project with LINCS will support a solar roof for a newly renovated home on Ferguson Street, keeping utility costs low for the residents of this home, and supporting the wider mission of LINCS,” said David Arnosti, leader of the MiIPL capital area chapter.

On Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m., The Peoples Church is hosting the “Shine the Light on LINCS” benefit concert at its newly renovated Snider Social Hall. The concert will feature classical music from The Trio and feature several speakers.

Douglass encourages anyone that wants to help with the solar project to donate directly to the nonprofit organization at linc2linc.com, or to attend their upcoming event at The Peoples Church.