Local organization serves African immigrant community in Rochester and Austin with clean energy

February 2025

Story by Emily Haeg Nguyen

LifeGate Services is lighting up the path to clean energy for African immigrant communities in Rochester and Austin, Minnesota! The nonprofit led an exciting initiative to help bridge a gap in energy education and services, with help from a $10,000 Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Seed Grant.

“CERTs awards seed grants to communities for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across Minnesota,” explains Jennifer Lindahl, CERTs southeast regional coordinator. “We especially want to collaborate with groups that have historically been excluded from the table where energy decisions are made. That absolutely includes immigrant communities.”

LifeGate Services has been an established support for African immigrant and underserved communities in Rochester since 2014. Known for its monthly food distribution events and annual health fairs with free screenings, LifeGate says they’re dedicated to improving lives. The organization creates a space where people of all backgrounds are welcomed and empowered.

Lindahl, says, “CERTs was excited to partner with LifeGate Services and help lend support to their important work in our shared community.”

The project helped provide families with the tools to make informed, sustainable energy choices. We're proud to support this community-driven work that addresses critical service gaps.

- Jennifer Lindahl, CERTs Southeast Regional Coordinator

A Project for the Community

Together, CERTs teamed up with LifeGate for the “Clean Energy for African Immigrant Communities” project. Through culturally tailored materials and resources, LifeGate helped their community members conserve energy in their homes, better understand their energy bills, and access valuable programs like weatherization assistance.

Lindahl explains, “LifeGate’s project was all about making clean energy relatable, accessible, and impactful. LifeGate more than achieved that goal.”

LifeGate’s outreach for the clean energy project was as creative as it was effective. They partnered with faith-based organizations to share bilingual resources, hosted lively Q&A sessions, and distributed energy-saving resources, such as light bulbs and weatherization materials. They even set up interactive tables at community events, engaging over 6,000 adults and youth. Volunteers and outreach staff were instrumental in spreading the word and ensuring every interaction felt personal and meaningful.

Lindahl says, “The project helped provide families with the tools to make informed, sustainable energy choices. We're proud to support this community-driven work that addresses critical service gaps.”

CERTs outreach at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Rochester, MN.

LifeGate presenting at an event for Sudanese youth.

LifeGate presenting to Sudanese youth.

An Open Gate

What’s next for LifeGate? Inspired by the project’s success, they’re cooking up more bright ideas! Plans include launching community education programs to dive deeper into clean energy practices and exploring the possibility of installing solar panels at their food shelf locations.

LifeGate says the initiative has laid the foundation for long-term sustainability and economic relief. Proof that one seed grant project can be a gateway to bigger things, especially when driven by a culturally meaningful approach. CERTs can’t wait to see how they continue to empower their communities, one clean energy project at a time!

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

CERTs Grant Region: Southeast

CERTs Grants Amount: $10,000

Clean Energy Focus: Energy Efficiency Education

Outreach Activities: Multilingual Q&A sessions, tabling, resource distribution

People Reached and Involved: 6,070 youth and adults

Explore CERTs Seed Grants

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