A Story About Why Harambee House Matters — And Why Your Support Changes Lives

In 1990, in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Mildred McClain—affectionately known as Mama Bahati—saw what too many others ignored: entire communities living under the burden of environmental hazards, economic exclusion, and generational poverty.

She didn’t wait for change. She built it. Harambee House/Citizens for Environmental Justice was born—a place where community power, environmental justice, and practical solutions could thrive together.

For more than three decades, Harambee House has stood as a force for justice on the Georgia Coast. But it’s also been something bigger: a bridge. A bridge between the people and the resources they need to survive today—and to build a thriving, equitable future.

Building Pathways to Economic Dignity

As the clean and green economy grows, Harambee House ensures that local residents—especially those traditionally excluded—have access to opportunity. Through hands-on workforce training, participants gain skills and certifications in the clean-energy industries shaping tomorrow’s economy.

Every person who completes a program isn’t just learning a trade; they’re stepping into stability, self-empowerment, and economic mobility. For families long trapped in cycles of poverty, this work opens the door to a different life.

Growing Food, Community, and Hope

In a region where food deserts still define daily life, Harambee House launched Harambee Community Farms—a sustainable solution rooted in community vision. The farm provides fresh, healthy produce to local families, teaches young people agricultural and entrepreneurial skills, and cultivates dignity alongside the harvest.

Each bed of vegetables isn’t just feeding people—it’s sowing resilience and reclaiming community control over nourishment, health, and opportunity.

Preparing for a Changing Climate

Savannah knows the force of climate change all too well—extreme heat, storms, flooding, and hurricanes. To keep families safe, Harambee House has transformed its offices into a Climate Disaster Resilience Hub, offering emergency supplies, safety planning, and a trusted space for refuge and recovery.

The goal is to turn every neighborhood center into a resilience hub—because safety and preparedness should never be a privilege reserved for a few.

Why Your Gift Matters

Right now, Harambee House’s work is in motion:

Food systems are being built.
Workers are being trained.
Families are preparing for the next storm.
Communities are healing from decades of environmental harm.

But this vital progress depends on people like you. Federal support can waver—but your contribution keeps momentum alive. When you give, you stand shoulder to shoulder with Dr. McClain’s 35-year legacy of leadership and love.

You help protect Savannah’s most vulnerable residents.
You help create pathways to wealth and wellness.
You help build a resilient, just future where everyone thrives.

Your support turns vision into action. Give today—and help Harambee House continue building a stronger, fairer Savannah for generations to come.

Harambee House Inc

Citizens for Environmental Justice