Digital Technology awards 2025 was an amazing year for the Afree foundation. We were able to award 3 organizations with laptops valued at $180,000. The organizations receiving the digital technology awards were The Congolose community of Scranton, Common Grounds ministries and The Youth empowerment project. These organizations have a strong focus on uplifting disenfranchised youth in underserved communities and we […]
Afree Foundation Celebrates the Birth of a New Industry: Infratech™ Today marks a historic milestone for Pennsylvania, Afree Foundation, and the future of smart infrastructure nationwide. We are proud to announce the official groundbreaking of Infratech™, a completely new skilled trade and revolutionary workforce pathway created to power the intelligent buildings of tomorrow. Infratech is the first industry in the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 20, 2025 Afree Foundation Awarded State Digital Connectivity Grant to Expand Youth Tech Access Across NEPA Scranton, PA Afree Foundation has been selected as one of several regional recipients of Pennsylvania’s Digital Connectivity Technology Grants, announced by Senator Marty Flynn this week. The Foundation was awarded 90 laptops, valued at $270,000, as part of a statewide initiative […]
The community garden at 1818 Jackson St in Scranton, PA holds profound importance as the only Black-run community garden in all of Northeast Pennsylvania, making it a rare and powerful example of Black environmental leadership in the region. In a part of the state where Black-led land stewardship and food justice initiatives are nearly nonexistent, this garden serves as a […]
Including a healthcare component within the Afree mixed-use building’s community center is vital because it brings essential health services directly into the heart of the community, eliminating barriers like transportation, cost, and access. Many Black and underserved communities face systemic healthcare disparities, from chronic illness to mental health stigma, and local, accessible care helps close these gaps. Health kiosks and […]
Teaching SCHEMA (Science, Conservation, Health, Engineering, Math, and Art) in the Black community is essential because it equips individuals with the tools to understand, shape, and sustain their world. These fields are at the core of addressing critical issues like environmental justice, health disparities, economic inequality, and technological underrepresentation. Science and health education help dismantle medical biases and improve wellness […]
Join us this Black Philanthropy Month in supporting the Afree Foundation’s mission to build resilient, green affordable housing powered by clean energy and innovative technology. Your donation directly fuels our efforts to create sustainable communities, deploy smart energy solutions, and empower underserved families with access to safe, efficient homes. In addition to housing, your support helps remove other critical barriers […]
Access to grants for Black organizations is important for several key reasons, all of which contribute to the broader goals of social equity, economic empowerment, and community well-being. Here are a few of the main points: 1. Addressing Historic Disparities Black communities in the United States and around the world have faced centuries of systemic racism, discrimination, and exclusion from […]
Historically, organizations and individuals of color have faced significant barriers when it comes to accessing grant opportunities, primarily due to systemic bias and institutional discrimination. This bias manifests in various ways, from explicit racial prejudice to more subtle forms of exclusion, such as a lack of representation in grant committees or the structural requirements of funding applications that unintentionally disadvantage […]
It is crucial to connect children of color to the environment, as doing so can provide them with opportunities for growth, empowerment, and healing. Historically, children of color have often had negative experiences with the outside world, particularly due to encounters with law enforcement and other authority figures. These encounters can create an atmosphere of fear and distrust, making children […]