WIN has been honored with the Environmental Education Council of Ohio’s (EECO) Organization Award for its outstanding contributions to environmental education and sustainability. The agency was recognized in April at the EECO’s Annual Conference in Perrysville, Ohio. WIN Executive Director S. Barbara Busch expressed gratitude, saying, “We are humbled to be recognized by EECO. This award is shared with our residents, partners, and staff who work together to make our neighborhoods healthier and safer for families.”
Over the years, WIN has championed green solutions to tackle systemic issues in neighborhoods where it partners with residents. Since 2008, homes built or rehabbed by WIN have prioritized high-energy efficiency, affordability, and healthier living environments. In 2024, WIN broke ground on its Near-Net-Zero Urban Village in South Cumminsville, where homes will achieve Gold LEED certification by using cutting-edge technology to improve air quality, reduce noise, and lower energy costs. WIN also partnered with Lead Safe Ohio last year, to reduce lead hazards, protecting families and children.
WIN’s environmental efforts extend beyond housing. Through community building programs, WIN has created community gardens, promoted energy efficiency education, and enhanced street safety and walkability with the Beekman Street Corridor Coalition. A 2020 U.S. EPA grant enabled WIN to collaborate with residents and other organizations on the Partners for Better Watershed Management project, installing green infrastructure to improve stormwater management for 24 homeowners in Mill Creek Valley neighborhoods.
Gail Prunty of EECO praised WIN’s approach, stating, “By getting to the root of systemic problems, leveraging resources, and building partnerships, WIN continues to work toward and believe in a better future for people, communities, and our planet.”