Soul City Solar, a project of Apex Clean Energy, is pleased to award more than $40,000 to seven local organizations through its Soul City Solar Community Grant Program. The program has awarded nearly $100,000 to support non-profit organizations and community causes since its launch earlier this year, including grants to the Raymond Fire Department, Hinds Community College, and Tougaloo College, among others
"The Soul City Solar team is continually amazed by the incredible work that Hinds County organizations are doing to improve lives and strengthen the community," said Chris Hawk, Development Manager. "Recently, our team had a chance to spend time with some of the community grant recipients and tour their sites and facilities, providing us with a deeper understanding of the work they do. It is inspiring to see how dedicated each of these organizations are to serving the residents of Hinds County. We are proud to partner with and support them.”
The program is designed to support organizations working in Hinds County to build healthy communities, support economic development, foster environmental sustainability, and promote education.
The seven organizations receiving funding from this round of grant awards include:
• Hinds County Public School District Foundation
• Operation Shoestring
• Town of Bolton Pocket Park/The Art of Refinement Foundation
• Jackson/Hinds Library Systems
• Clinton Community Christian Corporation
• Mississippi College
• We Are One United Methodist Church
The Hinds County Public School Foundation has been awarded a $10,000 grant to support academic and administrative goals in schools located in Raymond, Terry, Edwards, Utica, Bolton, and Byram.
"We are so thankful for this generous donation to the Hinds County Public School Foundation. These funds will help us support our schools and provide needed recognition to those administrators, faculty and staff who go over and above each day to ensure our children are prepared for tomorrow," said Dr. John Neal, Hinds County Public School Foundation President.
Operation Shoestring received a $10,000 grant for its Project Rise Literacy/STEM program.
"Operation Shoestring is honored to receive such a generous grant from Soul City Solar. This investment will help us serve children in preK-5th grade in our afterschool and summer program Project Rise, while providing supportive services to their families. Thanks to partners like Soul City Solar, we can provide high-quality, year-round programming that bridges that gap in opportunities for students in our city," said Robert Langford, Executive Director, Operation Shoestring.
The Art of Refinement Foundation received a $6,000 grant to support the restoration of the Texas Street Park in Bolton, MS.
"Bolton families are excited about the renovation of Texas St Park in the town of Bolton. The new park will provide basketball courts, picnic area, swings, and a garden and enhanced lighting, signage, and parking lot barriers for safety. The Art of Refinement Foundation is proud to collaborate with community members, the Town of Bolton, local businesses, and Apex Clean Energy to reopen a park that has been closed for over a decade," said Executive Director Allison Bailey, Art of Refinement Foundation.
The Jackson/Hinds Library System will use its $5,000 grant to educate students about STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading and Writing, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The libraries in Raymond, Clinton, Utica, Edwards will be directly impacted.
"The Jackson Hinds Library System has embraced STREAM as a brand to help our children get excited about STEM careers. This grant will allow the branches in Western Hinds County to teach our children about clean energy sources. We are glad at Soul City Solar is helping the future of children in Hinds County understand science, technology, engineering, and math by using hands on learning with reading and the arts," said Willette Jacobs, Evelyn Taylor Majure Library Branch Manager. “
The Clinton Community Christian Corporation (4Cs) will use its $5,000 grant for a weatherization program.
"Using the funds received from Apex Clean Energy , the Clinton Community Christian Corporation (4Cs) will help homeowners remain cooler during the summer months and warmer during the winter months," said Executive Director Laurie Smith Lawson, 4Cs.
Mississippi College’s Mathematics Department will use a $5,000 grant from Soul City Solar to conduct solar energy research and provide opportunities for students to present that research to industry and academic leaders.
"Mississippi College's Mathematics Department is grateful to receive this grant from Apex Clean Energy. This funding will enhance our undergraduate research opportunities, allowing our students to engage in meaningful projects. Additionally, the grant will provide support for students to present their research at national conferences, further preparing them to be leaders in their field," said Daniel Watson, Associate Professor, Mississippi College.
We Are One United Methodist Church will use its $3,000 grant for "The G.O.O.D. Project" (Gardens Out of Dirt), community garden, a community-driven initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in the South Jackson community.
"This initiative not only supplies nutritious food but also fosters community engagement, education, and training for adults, youth, and children. To expand our efforts, we will use the funding to construct low tunnels in our garden to extend the growing season into the fall and winter months, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh produce," said Sr. Pastor Jerry Mannery, We Are One United Methodist Church.
The Soul City Solar Community Grant Program accepts applications on a rolling basis for awards in the Spring, Fall, and as appropriate based on community needs.