The true cost of energy is measured beyond a utility bill.
For families across New York City, energy affordability shapes everyday decisions around housing, food, healthcare, and essential needs. And while assistance programs and resources exist, they can be difficult to access because of language barriers and unfamiliar processes.
Local community leaders are uniquely positioned to bridge that gap, because they have built the trust, relationships, and networks within their neighborhoods needed to reach the community members most affected.
In partnership with National Grid, CitizensNYC is supporting 20 community-based initiatives across Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. These projects approach energy affordability through a variety of lenses, recognizing its intersection with household stability, public health, climate resilience, and economic opportunity.
October is National Energy Awareness Month, and we’re proud to highlight the work of three grassroots partners advancing community-led solutions to energy affordability and resilience. From creative theater performances and solar-powered music to neighborhood infrastructure planning, these leaders are finding innovative ways to make energy education accessible, connect residents with resources, and strengthen their communities.
Crossroads Connection Inc. is bringing energy education to the stage in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park. Led by Executive Director Eva Lopez, the organization is launching Speak My Language: Energy Affordability for Us, an initiative that uses original theater performances, multilingual educational materials, and a community Energy Affordability Fair to help residents navigate energy costs and access available resources.
Read the full spotlight → here
Richmond Hood Company and Bronx Special Kids are joining forces to make energy education a community celebration. On November 21, the two National Grid-supported grantee partners will host the Solar Punk Festival at the Cornerstone Community Center in Staten Island, combining Richmond Hood’s solar-powered DJ setup with family-centered energy education and hands-on activities.
Read the full spotlight → here
Brooklyn Level Up is helping East Flatbush residents better understand the energy infrastructure shaping their neighborhood. On October 17, the organization and its strategic partner Ground3d hosted a community infrastructure walkshop exploring local energy systems, extreme heat vulnerabilities, and opportunities for neighborhood resilience. The event is part of Brooklyn Level Up’s broader vision to develop East Flatbush’s first community resilience hub, a community-designed space that would provide everyday resources and serve as a gathering place during emergencies.
Read the full spotlight → here
Beyond individual projects, CitizensNYC and National Grid are building a network of Energy Ambassadors through our Community Energy Project, equipping trusted local leaders with the information, resources, and connections needed to deepen their impact within their neighborhoods. This approach builds on what CitizensNYC has learned through decades of supporting grassroots leadership: meaningful change takes shape when communities have the tools and opportunities to lead.
Energy affordability is a challenge that reaches into every corner of our communities, and addressing it requires solutions grounded in the experiences of the people most affected. We are grateful to National Grid for its continued partnership in investing in grassroots leaders, expanding access to critical resources, and helping build a more affordable, connected, and resilient New York City.
