URGENT UPDATE: A Detroit resident is expressing profound gratitude after a life-saving home upgrade linked to the city’s Solar Neighborhoods Program. Just a week after receiving a carbon monoxide detector, Dorothy Gladney faced a potentially deadly situation while cooking at her home in the Van Dyke-Lynch neighborhood.
Gladney, a long-time resident of over 40 years, received multiple home improvements as part of the initiative, which aims to transform blighted areas into solar energy farms while benefiting nearby homeowners. The program is currently constructing solar farms to power 127 city buildings.
In a heartfelt video shared on October 12, 2023, Gladney detailed her recent experience: “I got a hot water tank, I got insulation in my attic, I got electricity in my basement. My lights were out, but they fixed that.” However, the installation of the carbon monoxide detector proved to be the most crucial upgrade.
After the detector went off, firefighters quickly responded and identified a dangerous issue with her stove. “I can look at the fireman’s face and I knew we wouldn’t have been here,” Gladney recalled, emphasizing the life-saving impact of the device.
On Thursday, she invited Mayor Mike Duggan to her home to express her gratitude for the program. “God was watching out for you,” Duggan remarked, to which Gladney replied, “All the time, all the time.”
City officials are highlighting the importance of the Solar Neighborhoods Program in addressing the specific needs of households like Gladney’s. “They did a thorough walk-through to assess what her needs were,” said Kayana Sessoms, District 3 Department of Neighborhoods manager. “They noticed that’s something she could add, and she agreed, and that’s what led to saving her life.”
Gladney, who is grateful to be alive, stated, “It’s a blessing and it’s still a blessing.” Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of home safety measures and community support.
This life-saving incident underscores the urgent relevance of programs designed to improve living conditions and enhance safety for residents. As Detroit continues to invest in renewable energy and community welfare, the impact on families like Gladney’s is profound and immediate.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Solar Neighborhoods Program and its benefits for the Detroit community.
