July 25, 2024 / Equipping other effective missions with solar power
Lydia’s House is a beacon of hope in Norwood, now powered by a SonLight Power rooftop solar array
Did you know that one out of every four children in Hamilton County (Cincinnati, Ohio) lives in poverty? And that two thirds of these households are run by single moms?
But Lydia’s House, a Christ-centered shelter tucked in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Norwood, is doing something about it. With a focus on women and children in crisis, Lydia’s House provides housing, meals, and additional support to help take these families from fear to thriving.
Signs throughout Lydia’s House inspire faith-based hope
It’s just one reason SonLight Power was excited to equip Lydia’s House with solar power, saving their mission valuable resources that can instead be redirected to impact the women and children they serve.
Since opening 10 years ago, Lydia’s House has grown from being a small shelter to adding 12 long-term apartments plus additional programs like After Care, summer day camps, extended community engagement, holiday support, and more.
Meridith Owensby, co-director of Lydia’s House, explains, “Growing Lydia’s House has felt like swimming with the current. We’d put in the effort and funds, and God would multiply it.”
The stunning two-story mural at Lydia’s House served as the backdrop as solar equipment was unloaded and lifted to the roof
However, previous efforts to become more sustainable with solar power did not come easy.
Under the direction of an independent solar provider, Lydia’s House underwent installation of a solar power system resulting in an unpleasant experience. Wires were crossed – literally. And incomplete work left the mission’s energy savings on the table instead of making it more resilient.
“After getting panels installed on our office building, it was a good year or year and a half before we saw any sort of savings,” Meridith said. “It was super frustrating and put a bad taste in our mouths.”
The unmistakable Norwood landmark façade of Vineyard Central Church served as the backdrop of rooftop installation work at Lydia’s House
But that didn’t stop Meridith and co-director Mary Ellen Mitchell from trying again. Looking to become more carbon neutral, reduce energy bills, and have even more capacity to equip families in need, they made plans to add more solar panels to their nearby apartment building.
“After seeing the work SonLight Power does in truly off-the-grid places, we knew they were the right team to expand our solar system and do it right,” Meridith said.
“Every person on their team has been very professional, responsive, and encouraging,” Meridith continued. “Clay even fixed some upside-down clips from the previous install. We always felt like we were in good hands.”
Clay Luna (left) and Colin Sorensen’s (right) care and attention to detail were on full display
With their expanded solar power system, Lydia’s House looks to the future. Money once spent on rising electricity bills, especially during hot summers with extended heat spells, can now be allocated to lowering rent for families in their long-term apartments and hosting their back-to-school shopping event.
Natina Carlton (left) and Igor Alempijevic of Fronius traveled from Chicagoland to participate in the installation, featuring a Fronius inverter (right)
But reaching beyond utility bills, the impact of solar on the women and children at Lydia’s House is tangible.
“These families come here in crisis,” explains Meridith. “But in a few weeks or months, they emerge from this fearful, crouched position to confidently welcome the next new family into the house. Kids who start out shy and cry when they reach for seconds at the dinner table begin to have joy, interacting and playing with the other kids.”
You and a dedicated SonLight Power team of partners from the Cincinnati Zoo, Fronius USA, CVE North America, C.W. Wood Machinery, and Boonrise made this project possible
Lydia’s House continues building into these families long after they leave the shelter, hosting holiday meals, birthday treats, and Mother’s Day celebrations just to name a few.
And for the dozens of families in their After Care program, Lydia’s House helps with tax preparation, moving plans, and other important paperwork.
The completed solar array adorns the roof at Lydia’s House, with Vineyard Central Church in the foreground (left) and from above its Norwood streetcorner (right)
“Watching these families thrive and kids grow up gets me excited about the work we do,” says Meridith.
“I get to see these women land on their feet,” she continues. “We get to show them what an atmosphere of love and respect looks like and teach them how that love comes from God. It never gets old.”
Inspired by the impact SonLight Power can have on a mission like Lydia’s House? Find out how your church, school, or mission organization can partner with SonLight Power on purpose-driven, Kingdom-building solar projects. Connect with us at [email protected]
For more information: VIDEO: SonLight Power equips Lydia's House in Norwood/Cincinnati with solar
