What We Do!
NEW!
NAAC's Eversolar Program
Statewide!
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The Native American Advancement Corp (NAAC) proudly leads the Eversolar Community Solar Program. This transformative initiative brings renewable energy to underserved communities across New Jersey. Designed to make clean, affordable energy accessible to all, Eversolar allows households to benefit from solar power without the need for costly solar panel installations. Our program allows residents to subscribe to local solar energy projects, reducing their reliance on traditional, polluting energy sources while lowering their utility bills. Participants receive credits on their electricity bills based on their share of the solar energy produced, creating immediate savings and a more sustainable energy future. Eversolar is not only about providing cost-effective energy; it's about empowering communities to take part in the clean energy revolution. By prioritizing participation from households in economically disadvantaged areas, including marginalized communities, the program helps ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are shared equitably. Through Eversolar, NAAC is committed to combating climate change, reducing energy costs, and fostering environmental stewardship in our communities. As we expand this program, we're building a cleaner, more resilient future for all. |
NEW!
WE ACT Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (WE ACT TCTAC)
Five Lower Counties in New Jersey
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The WE ACT Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (WE ACT TCTAC) provides free technical assistance, educational resources, and access to environmental justice, grassroots organizing, and energy justice expertise for individuals and organizations. Serving EPA Region 2: New Jersey, New York, and eight federally recognized Indian Nations, the WE ACT TCTAC is one of 18 Technical Assistance Centers established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Native American Advancement Corp is serving as a Community Voice of the WE ACT TCTAC to help connect communities across our region to the following resources:
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Weatherization Assistance Program
Atlantic and Cape May Residents
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The Weatherization Assistance Program, led by the Native American Advancement Corp (NAAC), is dedicated to improving the quality of life for low to moderate-income families by making their homes more energy-efficient, safer, and comfortable. Serving Atlantic and Cape May counties in New Jersey, this vital program helps reduce household energy costs while promoting environmental sustainability. Our Weatherization team provides free home energy assessments and upgrades, including insulation, air sealing, window replacements, and energy-efficient heating systems. By making homes more efficient, we help families reduce their energy bills and conserve natural resources while improving indoor air quality and ensuring homes are healthier places to live. Through this program, we prioritize vulnerable populations, including seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children. With rising energy costs, the Weatherization Assistance Program offers long-term solutions to combat high utility bills, alleviate financial burdens, and contribute to energy independence. Our program goes beyond immediate weatherization needs. We provide education on energy-saving practices and connect participants to additional resources and services, further empowering families to maintain the comfort and safety of their homes year-round. |
Heater or Water Heater Replacement
Atlantic and Cape May Residents
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The Heater Replacement Program, offered by the Native American Advancement Corp (NAAC), ensures that low-income families and individuals in New Jersey have access to reliable, energy-efficient heating systems. By replacing outdated or malfunctioning heaters, we help keep homes warm, safe, and affordable to heat during the cold winter. This program supports families struggling with high heating costs or unsafe heating systems. We offer free assessments of existing heating systems and, if needed, replace them with modern, energy-efficient models. This improves comfort and safety for homeowners, helps reduce energy bills, and contributes to a cleaner environment. The Heater Replacement Program prioritizes households with vulnerable members, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children. They ensure that adequately heated homes safeguard the health and well-being of those at risk during extreme weather conditions. Through the program, participants also receive information on energy conservation, which helps them maximize the efficiency of their new heating systems and make their homes more sustainable in the long term. |
Lead Remediation or Abatement
Cumberland, Atlantic, and Cape May Residents
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The Native American Advancement Corp (NAAC) Lead Remediation Program is committed to safeguarding families from the harmful effects of lead exposure in their homes. Serving some of the most vulnerable communities in New Jersey, our program provides critical lead testing, abatement, and education services to ensure that homes are safe, healthy, and lead-free. Lead exposure from deteriorating paint in older homes can devastate children's development and overall family health. Our Lead Remediation Program identifies lead hazards, particularly in homes with young children. It provides comprehensive solutions to eliminate the risk of exposure. From removing lead-based paint to replacing contaminated windows, doors, and soil, we focus on making homes safer and healthier environments for everyone. Our team of certified professionals conducts thorough lead inspections and risk assessments, developing customized abatement plans for each home. We work closely with homeowners to ensure every process step is completed efficiently and safely, adhering to all local and federal regulations. In addition to physical remediation, we offer education on lead poisoning prevention and connect families to additional resources for long-term health and safety. The program prioritizes homes with pregnant women, infants, and young children, aiming to eliminate the dangers of lead before it impacts health. |
Fuel Assistance Programs (LIHEAP)
Cumberland, Atlantic, and Cape May Residents
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The Native American Advancement Corp (NAAC) offers vital support to low-income households through our energy assistance programs, including the Low to moderate Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Home Energy Assistance (HEA), and the Universal Service Fund (USF). These programs are designed to help families struggling to afford their energy bills, ensuring they can maintain access to heating, cooling, and electricity throughout the year.
NAAC's energy assistance programs provide financial relief to eligible households, particularly during the winter heating and summer cooling seasons when energy costs are at their highest. These programs cover a portion of utility bills and help families avoid service interruptions, manage rising energy costs, and keep their homes safe and livable. Our team works closely with applicants to determine eligibility and guide them through the application process, ensuring they receive the maximum benefit. We serve families across New Jersey, focusing on those most in need, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and households with young children. LIHEAP and HEA offer financial assistance for heating and cooling costs. At the same time, USF helps reduce the monthly energy burden for low-income households by providing ongoing discounts on electric and gas bills. Together, these programs offer essential relief, allowing families to focus on other critical needs without worrying about energy costs. |
Cohanzick Climate Corps and AmeriCorps
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The Cohanzick Climate Corps, part of the AmeriCorps service network, is a groundbreaking initiative that combines hands-on environmental conservation with impactful workforce development. This program, operated by the Native American Advancement Corp (NAAC), offers participants the opportunity to make a real difference in the poorest counties of New Jersey, all while gaining valuable skills and training in environmental stewardship.
In partnership with the Nation's first and only US Arborist Apprenticeship Program, the Cohanzick Climate Corps provides specialized training in sustainable forestry, tree care, and conservation practices. This innovative apprenticeship helps address the economic and environmental challenges facing underserved communities by offering participants a career pathway into the growing field of arboriculture. Members work alongside certified professionals to learn everything from tree planting and maintenance to urban forestry and land management, receiving nationally recognized credentials upon completion. Our program focuses on revitalizing New Jersey's most economically disadvantaged areas, particularly emphasizing Indigenous conservation practices and climate resilience. Participants contribute to vital projects such as reforestation andmanagement, and community green space development, all while building a brighter future for themselves and the environment. |
Cohanzick Nature Reserve
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Nestled in the heart of South Jersey, Cohanzick Nature Reserve is a serene haven for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. As the ancestral home of the Cohanzick Local Indigenous people, this sacred land offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the unspoiled beauty of the natural world while connecting with the rich cultural heritage of the Local Indigenous Nation.
Spread over acres of lush forests, winding trails, and a scenic pond, the reserve is home to diverse wildlife, rare plant species, and tranquil water bodies. Every step you take in the reserve echoes with stories of the past, from the deep-rooted traditions of the Local Indigenous people to their ongoing efforts to protect and conserve this land for future generations. Cohanzick Nature Reserve isn't just a place to escape; it's a place to discover. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and reflective walks through the Longhouse Sanctuary while learning about Indigenous culture and conservation practices. It's a living landscape where education and ecology meet, making it an ideal destination for families, schools, and environmentalists. Your support through visits and donations helps preserve this beautiful reserve. It sustains the Native American Advancement Corps (NAAC) ongoing spiritual programs, educational initiatives, and conservation projects. By giving, you are directly contributing to protecting this vital land and the legacy of the Local Indigenous people. Experience the timeless beauty and heritage of the Cohanzick Nature Reserve today! |
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In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act. This short movie from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, a work of art by Sourland Studios, beautifully captures this inspiring message of the perils of our planet and the significance of the rematriation movement. It is an inspiring story of the partnership that led to the Cohanzick Nature Reserve. The rematriation of lands to local Indigenous people, a significant pillar of the rematriation movement, is crucial for protecting our cultural heritage, preserving traditional knowledge, and fostering environmental sacred symbiosis rooted in centuries-old practices. The rematriation of the Cohanzick Nature Reserve marks a significant step in a nationwide movement, and how our collaborative efforts by the Native American Advancement Corporation (NAAC), New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Green Acres Program, and The Nature Conservancy, can heal historical injustices. Acquired in August 2023, this 63-acre forested property in New Jersey returns to the Cohanzick Lenape people, the land's original inhabitants. This initiative honors our enduring connection to the land. It sets a precedent for similar efforts across the country, highlighting the importance of such partnerships in promoting social justice and sacred environmental symbiosis. We at NAAC will be forever grateful for these partnerships, the gift from the Creator, and the promise we keep for those of the next seven generations.
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Preserving Our Heritage: Native American land to Protect Our Cultural Legacy
Our Native American community's role as stewards and keepers of the land is of paramount importance in today's world. As one of the earliest inhabitants of North America, we Native Americans deeply understand the land and its resources. Through our traditional knowledge and practices, we have shown an exceptional ability to sustainably manage the land for generations. Today, as we face the dire consequences of climate change and environmental degradation, the need for sustainable land management practices is more significant than ever. By empowering our Native American community to become the guardians of the land, we can tap into their unique knowledge and practices to promote Mother Earth's healing and ensure our planet's sustainability for future generations.
We are not a part of the tribal government and operate as a separate nonprofit charitable organization.
Some staff and Board of Directors of NAAC are citizens of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Nation.
NAAC is current on all financial status and charity registration and is in position to receive all gifts. We thank you for all of your gifts.
Some staff and Board of Directors of NAAC are citizens of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Nation.
NAAC is current on all financial status and charity registration and is in position to receive all gifts. We thank you for all of your gifts.
