Wilmington, DE — Roofs from the Heart (RFTH), in collaboration with Southbridge Community Development Corporation (SBCDC), is launching a major home improvement initiative in the Southbridge neighborhood beginning in late April. This project will provide critical upgrades to eight (8) homes, including full roof replacements, HVAC system installations, and water heater replacements—significantly improving safety, energy efficiency, and overall living conditions for participating homeowners.
RFTH and SBCDC were awarded $250,000 through the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative’s Thriving Communities Grant Program (TCGM). TCGM is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and seeks to provide small, local organizations – particularly those with low capacity or resources – with federal funding for projects that identify, document, and/or respond to challenges impacting the community’s health and well-being. The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI)is the EPA Region 3 Thriving Communities grant maker. GHHI’s mission is to address the housing-based causes of lead poisoning, asthma, injury, and energy inefficiency by creating homes that are healthy, safe, and resilient.
This funding will directly support efforts to address housing conditions and environmental health challenges in Southbridge, a community that has faced decades of systemic legal, racial, and social inequities. This initiative builds upon a longstanding partnership between RFTH and SBCDC, which began in 2023. Together, the organizations have worked to support SBCDC’s broader mission to revitalize and beautify the Southbridge neighborhood.
“This project is about more than just roofs—it’s about restoring safety, dignity, and stability for families who have been overlooked for far too long,” said Kate Domanski, Executive Director of Roofs from the Heart. “We are proud to partner with Southbridge CDC to bring long lasting change to this community and ensure homeowners can live in healthy, secure homes.”
“We are thrilled to see this grant come to Southbridge, and we are deeply grateful for the partnership with Roofs from the Heart,” said Leslie A. Nutter, Executive Director of Southbridge Community Development Corporation. “These upgrades will make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents improving not only their homes, but their health, safety, and sense of belonging in the community. Southbridge has a rich history and resilient spirit, and this project is another step forward in our ongoing efforts to ensure every family has a safe, comfortable place to call home.”
SBCDC continues to lead transformative efforts in the community through initiatives via the Southbridge Neighborhood Action Plan, such as the Southbridge Wilmington Wetlands Park and the Beautification Façade Program, which renovated fifty (50) homes. This new project complements those efforts by implementing a comprehensive energy efficiency and healthy homes program that improves indoor air quality, enhances environmental sustainability, and strengthens public safety outcomes.
About Roofs from the Heart
Roofs from the Heart is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality roof replacements to families who lack the resources to maintain safe and secure housing. By ensuring the integrity of the home’s most critical structural component, RFTH helps families remain healthy, stable, and rooted in their communities. The roof replacement program originated within G. Fedale Roofing in 2016. As demand and community impact grew, the initiative evolved into an independent nonprofit organization. In addition to roofing services, RFTH partners with other home repair organizations to address urgent interior needs, recognizing that safe housing extends beyond the roof. Learn more at www.roofsfromtheheart.org or visit the organization’s YouTube channel to see stories of impact.
About Southbridge Community Development Corporation
The mission of Southbridge Community Development Corporation is to create and support local ownership of land, labor, and capital within the Southbridge community. SBCDC is committed to improving the core conditions necessary for residents to thrive. Through initiatives focused on energy efficiency, healthy homes, environmental conservation, and public safety, SBCDC works to advance health outcomes, promote stable and humane housing, and create opportunities for long-term community wealth building. For more information, visit www.southbridgecdc.org.
About the Thriving Communities Grant Making Program
TCGM is led by Regional Grantmakers (pass-through entities) in each EPA region, each with their own name, application process, and resources to support applicants. GHHI is the Thriving Communities Grantmaker for EPA Region 3 providing subgrants to community-based organizations and other eligible entities in disadvantaged communities in the mid-Atlantic region to address environmental challenges in their local communities. onmental challenges in their local communities.
