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Impact Story

The Weavers

In response to the devastating Eastern Kentucky Floods in 2022, Fahe lead the creation of Housing Can’t Wait, alongside several Fahe Members and longstanding housing partners, to address the need for immediate and permanent single-family housing solutions for flood survivors. Arnold and Virginia Weaver of Whitesburg, Kentucky were among the first families served by Housing Can’t Wait. They lost their home and nearly their lives on the morning of the flood. “We were still in bed and would have probably gotten up in thirty minutes, an hour at most,” said Arnold Weaver. “It might have been too late if we waited that long.” The Weavers left their home as the flooding began and watched as the rising waters claimed their house. They were later rescued via helicopter. During the subsequent months, they rented a house from a friend who lived on higher ground, all the while contemplating if they would have to leave their community because of the extensive damage to their home.

However, thanks to the efforts of Housing Can’t Wait and Fahe Member HOMES, the Weavers were able to use their FEMA award, insurance, and other sources of funding to purchase a new home built by HOMES out of the flood plain and stay in Whitesburg among their friends and family. “We know we are two of the most blessed people in the world, but we also feel guilty that other people are living campers and tents,” said Virginia Weaver. “We wonder why we got the opportunity to have a house. Other people need an opportunity to do that the same as we did.” Fahe continues to partner with Team Kentucky, Governor Beshear’s office, and other housing partners to ensure Eastern Kentucky communities are rebuilt to be strong and resilient. Housing Can’t Wait partners focused on flood recovery have built 88 new homes and performed major rehabilitation on 305 homes since 2022.

Impact Story

Empowering Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities often shoulder a disproportionate burden when it comes to the impacts of climate change and are also one of the first groups to feel the effects of a changing climate. While they only make up a small percentage of the US population and a comparatively small contribution of total planet-warming emissions, Indigenous communities have long been at the forefront of the clean energy transition and efforts to implement climate solutions.

For the Lumbee Regional Development Association (LRDA) – a private nonprofit in Pembroke, North Carolina, founded by tribal leaders seeking to bring much-needed social, educational, and economic services to Lumbee members – going solar will deliver meaningful cost savings that will be reinvested into their community in the form of education and workforce development programs. In partnership with Eagle Solar and Light, Sunwealth developed solar on top of LRDA’s roof, which is the first solar installation on a building associated with a state recognized tribe in North Carolina. This installation will reduce 1,826 tons of carbon over its lifetime, save $51,000 in lifetime energy, and generate 76 kW of clean power.

Impact Story

A Leap Forward: Serving More Clients in Need

CCC celebrated the opening of their new 16 x Burnside Recovery Center on May 14, 2025. “16 x Burn” is a new drug- and alcohol-free, 74-bed residential treatment center, providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to those seeking treatment.

Designed to address a key gap in the CCC community’s continuum of care, 16 x Burn supports people exiting CCC's Hooper Detoxification Center, individuals needing extended residential treatment before transitioning to recovery-supportive housing, and those preparing for substance use disorder (SUD) intensive outpatient care. CCC has seen a growing need to fill the enormous gap in their community for increased residential treatment capacity. As well, 16 x Burn addresses one of CCC’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan objectives to “close key care gaps.”

“Most of the folks we will serve [at 16 x Burn] have been deemed too complex to be served elsewhere within the regional service continuum,” said Dr. Andy Mendenhall, CCC President and CEO. “Painful to be turned away from services because folks are 'too ill.' 16 x Burn changes this narrative and creates a place for folks to heal, enter recovery and get healthy enough to safely and securely re-enter life. When our patients heal our community also heals. This is something for us to truly celebrate.”

Impact Story

AGROSERV

AGROSERV, a cherished local business in Caransebeș, Romania, has grown to become a trusted name in the community, operating grocery stores, a restaurant, and a bread factory in Obreja, along with a robust bread distribution network throughout the region.

"Our journey with VITAS Romania began with a simple conversation, but it quickly evolved into a partnership that has had a good impact on our business. When a representative from VITAS visited us, they took the time to thoroughly understand our needs and provided a detailed overview of how their services had already helped other businesses like ours. The professionalism, clarity, and genuine care they demonstrated made it clear that VITAS was the right financial partner for us," said Mihai Pop, the owner of the AGROSERV businesses.

"The funding we received from VITAS has been a game-changer. It enabled us to undertake significant projects that were crucial to our growth and success. Among these were the modernization of our bakery, which allowed us to expand the facility from 2,691 sq ft to an impressive 8,073 sq ft, and the complete renovation of our restaurant. These investments have not only improved the quality of our services but have also positioned us for continued success in the years to come.

One of the standout aspects of our experience with VITAS was the efficiency of the loan application process. It was quick, required minimal documentation, and was handled with professionalism. For any business owner looking for a reliable financial partner, we cannot recommend VITAS Romania highly enough."

Impact Story

Soléco Energy

Soléco Energy is a women-led business driving an equitable renewable energy transition in Jamaica by fostering women’s employment, leadership, and inclusion across the value chain of solar generation projects. The company develops and finances solar photovoltaic distributed generation projects for commercial and industrial clients through long-term solar lease agreements. Soléco Energy recently completed an award-winning 2MW project across four sites for Caribbean Broilers, a poultry processing company in Jamaica. With a strong pipeline of projects, the company is expanding to other Caribbean countries such as the Bahamas and Barbados.

Deetken Impact provided tailored technical assistance to the Soléco Energy team to develop a solar panel assembly and installation training program for women in the surrounding communities. In addition, the technical assistance helped the team complete the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles tool, develop a sexual harassment policy, and train team members to address gender gaps and opportunities in the renewable energy sector. As a result of the program, Soléco Energy implemented policies and practices to ensure an inclusive and safe workplace at project sites that apply to contractors across the value chain. Additionally, Soléco Energy expanded employment and career opportunities for women in their communities, and increased the company’s investability by implementing initiatives that directly respond to the gender-related milestones set by one of their lenders, IDB Invest. The milestones included concrete targets regarding women’s employment, career development, training, as well as the implementation of policies and procedures across the value chain to ensure inclusive working conditions. Read more about Soléco Energy’s work to advance gender equity in the Renewable Energy Sector.

Photo credit: Soléco Energy Limited