Better light for low-income youth at Inukai Family Boys & Girls Club

Lighting improvements will help the nonprofit lower energy use, reduce operating costs and improve the learning environment for kids. The downtown Hillsboro, Oregon-based program expects to save nearly 19,000 kWh and $1,600 in energy costs annually.

Evergreen enlisted Stoner Electric Group to provide labor and support for the project.

Lighting in the older portion of the nonprofit’s building had not been updated in 25 years. The facilities team received frequent complaints from staff and youth about underlit areas, poor-quality light fixtures, and flickering lights.

Evergreen and Stoner installed new LED lighting and occupancy sensors in approximately 8,000 square feet of interior space, including a game room and classrooms used for literacy, art, and computers. Additional upgrades were made to offices, hallways, and restrooms. Exterior lighting was upgraded to LED and included new daylight sensors to turn lights off and on as needed.

The Inukai Club reports that staff, youth and visitors are delighted with the transformation. Lighting is brighter across the different spaces, with more control over lighting in individual offices. The contribution will help the club save energy and reduce overhead costs, plus it gives them flexibility to tackle other capital projects that also need attention.

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