Meadows Eastside MECRO Light Up The Night Proposal

“Light Up The Night”
Proposal
Focus on Energy Efficiency, Safety & Security in IQ Communities
Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization
2734 East 79th Street
Chicago, IL 60649
P: 773-540-8659
C:773-307-2189
admin@meadowseastside.org
Greenlite Lighting Corporation USA
2 Executive Circle #100
Irvine, CA 92614
P: 800-930-2111
F: 949-261-1798
partners@greenliteusa.com
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org

Project Overview
Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization (MECRO) searches for innovative ways to mitigate social
determinates, structural inequities and societal systems that benefit one population over another. Now, more than
ever, is a time to step up to provide relevant resources to support community members, businesses and first
responders. As such, MECRO proposes a the “Light Up the Night” Program to provide and install advanced ENERGY
STAR Energy Efficient LED Lighting in targeted IQ neighborhoods to increase safety and security in these areas that
currently have poorly lit with properties often times far and few between.
✓ Affluent neighborhoods: Generally, are well lit, with multiple porch lights and often have the addition of
manicured landscape lighting, along with the added benefit of more overall community resources.
✓ Low-income neighborhoods: Generally, have inadequate infrastructure and are likely to have poorly lit
homes with no outdoor, fixture or overgrown brush dimming street lighting. The ability of first responders
to react in a crisis is compromised in IQ areas by darkness and is improved exponentially by having visible
illuminated house numbers that are appropriately lit.
Let us bridge the gap and make our neighborhoods safer and brighter!
By collaborating directly with Greenlite Lighting Corporation USA, a Certified Diversity Owned Business, as well as
our existing city agencies, e.g. City of Chicago, Chicago Police Department’s CAPS, the Community Emergency
Response Team, and community partners Eco-Energy Solutions, Mr. Dad’s Fathers Club, Block Club University etc.,
MECRO proposes a 2020 “Light Up the Night” Pilot Program and a scalable 2021 Program whereby MECRO will
install advanced technology ENERGY STAR LED Bulbs with built-in Dawn-to-Dusk Sensors around IQ neighborhoods.
This initiative will launch the foundation for ongoing Energy Efficiency improvements across the City of Chicago and
beyond. “Light Up the Night” will help strengthen partnerships across sectors to align co-occurring efforts including
those that the Chicago has planned for public safety.
The Goal
“Light Up the Night” is a re-energized Porch Light & Dusk-to-Dawn LED Bulb Program that will accomplish five very
critical needs in our communities and neighborhoods:
1. Enhance Safety and Security
2. Increase Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Education in IQ Communities
3. Support First Responders
4. Enhance Safety and Security
5. Make Advanced Technology Available to All
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org

The City of Chicago engagement initiatives align with building safe neighborhoods support enhanced lighting, for
supporting first responders, reducing crime and better commuter visibility and safety – these are established nonenergy
impacts/ benefits. In many areas lights have as much to do with first responders inability to locate a house
number on a dark porch or building as it does with crime occurring at that same darkened address; with a cost of
pennies, light on the same space could have an exponential impact on a life altering response.
Why having a porch light matters?
✓ Brighter light increases the safety of on individuals and property
✓ Having more light during the nighttime hours is safer for neighborhood residents
✓ Creates an extra layer of accessibility for seniors and vulnerable populations
✓ Helps identify address numbers in case of an emergency
✓ Helps security camera capture more vivid images
✓ Easily identify visitors at the door
✓ Readily find your keys and door locks
✓ Help drivers locate address in unfamiliar neighborhoods. CAPS can help distribute numbers for house &
garage as a supplemental safety program
Proposed Product
To support the “Light Up The Night” Pilot Program, MECRO proposes to install Greenlite’s ENERGY STAR LED
Security Lights with Integrated Dusk-to-Dawn Sensors in the Outdoor Fixtures of 200-300 households in IQ
Communities in the South Shore Community of Chicago (IQ Zip Codes: 60649, 60617, & 60637).
Why? It’s as simple as screwing in a LED Light Bulb!
These Dusk to Dawn LED Bulbs are:
✓ ENERGY STAR® Certified
✓ Advanced LED Technology with Integrated Sensors
✓ Turn Any Light Fixture into a Security Lite
✓ No Additional Hardware Required – No Expensive Wiring!
✓ Dusk to Dawn: On at Night. Off in Morning.
✓ Recommended for Outdoor Usage
✓ Approved for Fully Enclosed Fixtures
✓ Approved for Damp Locations
✓ 3 Year Warranty
Greenlite is a prime manufacturer of Residential Energy Efficiency Products, is ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, a
Certified Woman-Owned Business, and a Certified Diversity-Owned Business. In 2020, Greenlite is currently under
contract with 85+ utilities, including ComEd, Nicor Gas, and Ameren Illinois, delivering energy efficient products to
residential homeowners with a focus on programs servicing hard-to-reach and IQ areas.
Product specifications can be viewed here and here.
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org

Pilot Program: Proposed Distribution
The initial project (pilot) will target residential homes in the South Shore Neighborhood (classified as an IQ Income
Qualified neighborhood of the Chicago area) and be comprised from Zip Codes: 60649, 60617, & 60637. MECRO
will distribute and install 200-300 Greenlite ENERGY STAR LED “Dusk to Dawn” Omnidirectional Household Bulbs
in outdoor front door and back/area of 200-300 Homes through Q4 2020.
MECRO will coordinate the distribution and installation amongst the South Shore’s 26,627 OHU homes of which
4,526 are Owner Occupied residences. MECRO will leverage existing relationships with community groups to recruit
volunteers to distribute and install the LED Bulbs. For the Pilot distribution, volunteer members of the a local
Foundation and the Block Club University Block (TBC) have volunteered to perform the distribution and installation
of the LED Bulbs. The proposed distribution will take no longer than one week.
Pilot Program: Analysis
When the Pilot distribution is complete in the target South Shore neighborhoods, an analysis of the customer
sentiment and reaction to the Pilot will be initiated to determine the effectiveness of the program and the effect
the lighting improvements have to the neighborhood. This analysis will be completed by the team at MECRO, who
will gather the following data over a two-week period:
- Customer Survey: MECRO will conduct a survey of the 200-300 homes who participated with 5
straightforward questions to gauge the reaction to the Pilot.
- Photographs: MECRO will take before and after photographs between from 8:00 PM-5:00 AM showing the
drastic improvement in the lighting of the area during the nighttime hours, when most of the residential
lighting is generally dimmed.
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org

- Customer Testimonials:
o First Responders ( CPD, CAPS, CFD) will be asked to provide written feedback on the improved
lighting to the neighborhood and any immediate impact in the area. The feedback from the CPD,
is expected to be very positive regarding increased visibility and the effects on the level of crime
in the South Shore neighborhood. This will be coupled with testimonials from key community
organizations such as The National Block Club University and area residents who will provide
specific feedback on how the expected positive results have improved their quality of life.
Scalability
If deemed successful, MECRO proposes to scale the “Light up the Night” Program to additional IQ neighborhoods
in Chicago to provide safety, security, advanced technology, and energy-efficiency education, amongst those
communities that have been identified as a part of the City of Chicago’s Invest South West revitilization.
Scaled Program: Proposed Distribution and Engagement
In Phase 2 of the “Light up the Night” Program, MECRO will target the following 10 IQ communities:
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org

Through MECRO’s boots on the ground approach and deep roots with Chicago area community organizations and
Block Clubs (30+ years), MECRO will engage with the largest community organizations in the targeted
neighborhoods and recruit them to participate in the expansion of the “Light Up the Night” Program through
illustrating proof of concept with the Pilot Program. Some key partners include the Englewood Chamber of
Commerce, South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Southside Neighbors for Hope, Saginaw Neighbors Block Club, and
more.
Once MECRO receives participation confirmation from the key organizations in each IQ community, MECRO will
identify the number of households participating in each community and provide Greenlite with a spreadsheet
detailing the order quantities and distribution plan. Greenlite will drop-ship the LED Bulbs to the identified
community organizations and the installation will be coordinated through MECRO. The “Light Up the Night”
Program goal will be to distribute and install 10,000 ENERGY STAR Dusk to Dawn LED Bulbs in a period of no more
than 90 days in 2021 amongst the selected communities. MECRO and Greenlite propose that the 10,000 LED bulbs
be donated and distributed to community groups, which will be designated by MECRO and other similar community
organizations. These community groups will coordinate volunteers to perform the installation.
Scaled Program: ComEd Participation
Due to the Energy Saving properties of Greenlite ENERGY STAR LED Bulbs (>85% in energy savings) and the
enhanced community outreach opportunity, MECRO and Greenlite would request a partnership with ComEd. Note:
The 10 selected IQ neighborhoods are within ComEd’s Service Territory. As such, we propose that ComEd provide
funding for the cost of the LED Bulbs, which allow Greenlite and MECRO to donate the advanced technology
products at no cost to the targeted communities.
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org

Utility Attribution on Product Packaging: Greenlite specializes in Utility-Branded Packaging and will include a ComEd
Energy Efficiency Program Branding on the Product Packaging. Greenlite is the industry leader in developing special
Logo packaging for efficiency projects nationwide. ComEd can also leverage this program for enhanced public
relations within these underserved neighborhoods.
Utility Branded Survey Card and Online Survey: As a part of the program MECRO suggests including a ComEd Survey
Card with each product so that the 10,000 IQ households who receive a Porch Light are encouraged to take an
online survey and provide feedback regarding experience. Greenlite and MECRO can administer this Survey online
and provide the survey results to ComEd’s evaluation team for review.
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org

Spanish Language Packaging and Marketing Opportunities
Additional Marketing Communications: ComEd can leverage the direct nature of the distribution model for the
“Light Up The Night” Program to incorporate additional marketing materials and energy efficiency education with
the products themselves. Examples: Cross Program Promotional Marketing Information, Survey Cards, Bill
Stuffers, etc. Greenlite can print these at the factory-level for a nominal cost and have them inserted in the Kit.
Program Proposal
Proposed Item Cost / Unit Proposed Quantity Total Funding Request
ENERGY STAR LED 9W Omni Dusk $2.49 10,000 $24,900
to Dawn Bulb
Model: 9W/LED/OMNI/DD
Includes ComEd Branded Packaging
There is no doubt that a IQ-wide “Light Up The Night” Initiative to improve lighting in IQ neighborhoods , with
support of ComEd, will illustrate how creative community organizations can cooperate to implement programs that
make a real difference, are “real world”, are cost-effective and yield positive sentiment amongst residents of these
communities for years to come.
”How do you transform a community in the city of Chicago? You start with a passion, a vision, and the will to see
them through; at Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization we endeavor to Light the way by
providing much-needed resources to our South Eastside community and beyond.”
Sharon “Sy” Lewis
MECRO – Executive Director
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Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization 2734 E. 79 th St., Chicago IL 60649 www.meadowseastside.org