Mutual Aid trips
One of our organization’s core goals is lending a helping hand to those who have been disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental injustice. In 2022, Eastern Kentucky was hit with a flood like none other, receiving 15 inches of rain in 8 days. The communities there are still recovering one day at a time, and unfortunately being faced with more flooding. So far, we have made a connection in Letcher County, KY and are working there. Our organization has had the pleasure of working with many members of the community, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, and Friends for Environmental Justice. Check out some of the trips we’ve taken below. To learn more or come on a trip, reach out to our email: clean4changeky@gmail.com.
While we are currently busy in Letcher County, we want to help in other disasters, too. Are you connected to an organization doing mutual aid work after a climate disaster? Feel free to reach out to us, we may be able to help!
April 2024
Our organization started our trips to Letcher County in April of 2024. This trip was focused on helping a member of the community that has not been able to return to their house since July 28, 2022. We worked on clearing out rooms that were damaged in the floods to prepare for demolition and rebuilding of some rooms of the home. We were able to salvage many of their belongings, and tear out some dry wall that needed fixing. This family is now one step closer to returning home!
May 2024
This trip we were able to bring two new volunteers and continue our work on the previous family’s home. We were able to clear out the rest of the house and tear out some drywall that had been damaged in the flood. We had proper personal protective equipment donated to us through Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, and we were able to complete more work because of it! The trip was not all work though, we were able to see many of the sights around town and get to know some of the locals. We can’t wait to come back!
June 2024
Our third trip to Letcher County was slightly different. We came to a standstill at the first property (see below), so until there is more work to be done there, we are working on another project.
We are now working at the Colson Civic Center. The Colson Civic Center is a community hub, with a thrift store on one side, community gathering spaces on another, and many events held there throughout the year. But the 2022 floods damaged the building severely. We started repainting the center, room by room, to ensure that the space is ready again for use soon!
March 2025
In March, our Co-Founder, Shayla, traveled to Letcher County to strategize. Along with doing some direct work mucking the Colson Civic Center, Shayla had meetings with the two work locations to plan long-term: what is our vision for this project? What do we need?
Our first property, the home we worked on, has made great progress. We will continue to offer volunteer labor as they rebuild their home and continue to gather supplies to get them home.
The Colson Civic Center needs immediate attention to recover from the February 2025 flood. The mud was still wet on the ground in March. But once the mud has dried, there will be so much more work to be done. The center needs new plumbing, a new boiler, a new septic system, new windows, doors, and so much more. We need to build a Colson Civic Center that is made to last, equipped with solar panels, flood plans, and ready to rebuild when the next disaster hits.
It will take a lot of work and funding to reach our goals, and together, we will make it happen. You can support the Colson Civic Center by donating here.