The goal of Mediator 7th Principle Project is to reduce climate impacts through a combination of a) energy efficiency, conservation and alternative energy building improvements of at least 3 faith-based properties in low-income neighborhoods of Providence, RI, and in the homes of at least 100 of their congregants; b) outreach to, and engagement of the Providence area faith community (faith leaders, members and neighborhood small businesses of their members) in advocacy work around the state and federal legislation that both reduces greenhouse gas emissions and protects low-income consumers; and c) recruiting a mix of jobless/underemployed "volunteer" labor for these energy and other projects in via the RI TimeBank as part of RI Interfaith Power and Light’s (RI-IPL’s) barter network, the URI Master Energy Program Volunteers and in cooperation with existing hands-on training and skill building programs, including those of the Center for the Advancement of Minority Participation in the Construction Industry and other certified “green job” programs. Four main outcomes for this hands-on project will be 1) engaging faith based leaders in eco-social justice activities, 2) increasing the Providence community's environmental awareness, 3) yielding measurable results in energy reduction through EPA Energy Star Congregation and/or IPL Cool Congregation monitoring sites, and 4) building a network of human resources across the community for green building retrofit efforts, job opportunities and climate-related environmental legislation. We request $2,500 to fund some energy retrofit building material supplies for south side Providence churches with activist programs serving the community (Mediator UU Fellowship, Open Table of Christ Methodist and Ebenezer Baptist Church); 2) help cover cost of training, paying and supervising jobless and underemployed minority residents of the Providence area who are in, or recently graduated from training programs; and 3) project coordination, including energy planning, auditing, obtaining rebates; connecting with green building vendors; outreach and education on climate policy issues; and recruiting members into the barter network of RI TimeBank through RI-IPL. This barter-based energy project in various faith settings involving local minorities will be a test model for replication at additional houses of worship, as a means to inspire other inner-city communities to "go green" and enrich community relations and resources through a formalized, computer-tracked, barter network. The 7th Principle Project volunteers and participants will collect data, learn about their own energy use patterns and assist inner city Providence churches with energy planning and actual energy retrofits of their buildings. Mediator, a local church with along history of social activism that regularly offers no charge/donation-only community yoga, music and film programs, has been investing its donations in rehabilitating the building in accordance with LEED standards since late 2009. It has also participated in community outreach for local tree plantings, community gardening, energy-related advocacy and sustainability education in accordance with the UUA 7th Principle: “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” The community benefits by having a) houses of worship weatherized/energy upgraded; b) low-income and moderate-income residents learn about utility and government funded weatherization and energy upgrade opportunities; c) an in a neighborhood with one of the highest number of ex-offenders in the state (zip code area 02907), people who barriers to employment will have an opportunity to gain green job skills and network for additional employment opportunities; and the community as a whole is strengthened by coming together to volunteer and engage in creating a more sustainable neighborhood. Project manager Liz Marsis is a LEED Green Associate, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Church of the Mediator and half-time (paid for 1/4 time), Director of RI – IPL. We anticipate having a measurable energy impact of 100 households, indirect impact via education and outreach on over 3,000 clergy, lay leaders and congregation members, and advocacy impacts that meaningful statewide when accomplished. Three congregations in Providence, Rhode Island are interested in creating energy plans and reducing energy costs, with two of them interested in alternative energy and/or sustainable community investments. With a modest investment by NEGEF, Mediator can leverage resources to obtain substantial results.