Keeping Families Safe When They Need It Most

Every family deserves a safe place to sleep.

Every parent deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children are protected.

And every child deserves stability during life's most difficult moments.

For more than 30 years, Ozanam Family Shelter has been a beacon of hope for families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the Evansville area. As the only local emergency shelter dedicated to keeping families together, Ozanam provides more than just a roof overhead—it provides safety, dignity, resources, and a pathway toward long-term stability.



Today, we have an opportunity to strengthen that mission in a powerful and lasting way.

Introducing the Ozanam Family Shelter Resiliency Fund

The Solar is for Everyone initiative is proud to launch Cause #3: the Ozanam Family Shelter Resiliency Fund.

Funds raised through this campaign will support the installation of a solar energy and battery storage system designed to help Ozanam Family Shelter better serve the families who depend on it every day.

This project is about much more than renewable energy.

It is about protecting families.

It is about ensuring that critical shelter services remain available during emergencies.



And it is about creating a more resilient future for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Why This Project Matters

Families often arrive at Ozanam during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.

The shelter provides emergency housing, meals, case management, access to community resources, and support services that help families regain stability and independence. Ozanam serves hundreds of individuals each year and is uniquely committed to keeping families together during times of crisis.

But as climate-related weather events become more frequent and severe, the risk of power outages continues to grow.

Extreme summer heat, winter storms, severe thunderstorms, and stressed electrical grids can threaten the continuity of services that families depend on.

When a shelter loses power, it can impact lighting, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration, communications, security systems, and many of the basic functions that help keep residents safe and comfortable.



For families already facing hardship, these disruptions can create even greater uncertainty.

The Power of Resilience

A solar energy and battery storage system can help Ozanam Family Shelter maintain critical operations during power outages and grid disruptions.

During normal operations, solar energy can help reduce utility expenses, allowing more resources to be directed toward serving families and supporting shelter programs.

During emergencies, battery storage can provide backup power for essential building systems, helping ensure that the shelter remains a safe refuge when families need it most.

The result is a long-term investment that delivers benefits for decades:

• Reduced energy costs
• Improved emergency preparedness
• Enhanced safety during power outages
• Greater resilience during severe weather events
• More resources available for family services and support programs
• Reduced environmental impact through clean energy generation
  

Investing in Families, Not Utility Bills

Resilience is about more than keeping the lights on.

The Resilient Fourplex will incorporate a range of innovative construction techniques designed to enhance both resiliency and energy efficiency.

Every aspect of the building is being thoughtfully designed to provide a safer, more durable, and more comfortable living environment for residents while reducing long-term operating costs.

These innovative design strategies help provide enhanced protection during severe weather events, improved energy efficiency, greater indoor comfort, long-term durability, and increased resilience during power disruptions and emergencies.

Investing in Families, Not Utility Bills

Nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to maximize every dollar they receive.

When energy costs increase, fewer resources are available for the programs and services that directly impact families.

By reducing long-term operating expenses, this project allows Ozanam to focus more of its resources on what matters most—helping families move from crisis to stability.



Every dollar saved on electricity can help support shelter operations, family services, case management programs, and resources that help residents build a stronger future.

A Community-Powered Solution

The Ozanam Family Shelter Resiliency Fund is built on a simple belief:

When a community invests in resilience, everyone benefits.

Your contribution helps create a stronger safety net for families experiencing homelessness and hardship. 

Your donation helps ensure that Ozanam can continue providing shelter, support, and hope during both everyday operations and emergency situations. 

And your support demonstrates how clean energy can strengthen the organizations that serve our communities. 

Join Us

Solar is for Everyone was founded on the belief that the benefits of clean energy should reach the people and organizations that need them most.

The Ozanam Family Shelter Resiliency Fund is another step toward that vision.

Together, we can help create a safer, more resilient shelter for families in crisis.

Together, we can reduce operating costs and strengthen emergency preparedness.

Together, we can help ensure that when families need a safe place to turn, Ozanam Family Shelter is ready to serve.

Because every family deserves safety.

Because every child deserves stability.



And because solar is for everyone.