Newcomers in Winona County get the lowdown on energy efficiency

Focus on Integrating Newcomers through Education, or Project FINE, is a nonprofit that has served Winona County and the surrounding area for more than 30 years. The organization acts as a connection point for refugees and immigrants, supporting people and families while helping build a stronger, more respectful community. Its work continues to be critical, especially as the county’s population [PDF] grows more diverse each year.

Also growing, is the diverse population’s request for energy-related information.

“We have done similar education in the past, and this continues to be a topic of high interest because of the potential for cost savings for families,” said Project FINE’s Katie van Eijl.

To meet that need, Project FINE applied for and was awarded a CERTs Seed Grant. The support led to two community presentations, one in Winona and one in St. Charles, followed by a family-focused social media campaign. “The campaign included six posts that were translated and posted on Hmong and Spanish Facebook pages hosted by our organization, reaching more than 4,200 people,” van Eijl said.

If that wasn’t enough, Project FINE also visited 20 households across Winona County to share resources, tools and information on how to save money on energy costs.

Ongoing efforts

When asked, 95% of community members who took part in the programming said that the experience was helpful for themselves or their family. But Project FINE says the work continues.

“We learned that the families we serve are largely unaware of clean energy options like solar, or other cost saving measures,” shared van Eijl. “Like rebates from their energy company, or small changes they could make around their homes. This project has demonstrated the need for ongoing education and outreach.”

As Winona County continues to evolve, Project FINE remains committed to supporting the area’s newest community members and helping build a more sustainable, energy-smart future.