In early December, at our annual Central Valley Solarthon, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation announced a new $500,000 workforce development grant to support our SolarCorps Fellowship Program!
The newest cohort of SolarCorps Fellows started their term in September, and will spend the next year serving with GRID in multiple states across the country, gaining hands-on training and skills to access jobs in the booming solar industry, while helping spread solar in low-income communities. The program also receives funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
“The SolarCorps program is an incubator for our next generation of leaders, helping creating a clean energy economy that includes and benefits all of our communities,” said GRID Alternatives CEO and Co-founder Erica Mackie. “We’re thrilled to have Bank of America as a strategic partner in this work.”
SolarCorps Fellows across the country are excited for the professional development opportunities that their year of service will bring. SolarCorps Construction Fellow Tia Sam of GRID Greater Los Angeles is eager to break out of her shell and polish her soft skills.
“I’m excited for GRID to help me further my communication skillset--public speaking, being in front of people, communicating about both GRID’s work and my own story,” she remarked. As a member of the construction team installing solar for clients, she’s also excited to serve her community and work closely with those impacted by GRID’s work.
“I love that I get to see firsthand the people that we serve,” said Tia. “I love seeing how they react to getting solar, and I also love working for an organization that truly cares about the people we serve--the community.”
Marissa Leshnov and Cheng Saechao, SolarCorps Workforce and Volunteer Fellows serving GRID Bay Area and GRID Central Valley respectively, are excited to connect underserved communities with solar training opportunities. “I love the fact that we are able to help our volunteers and job trainees get experience they need to pursue a career in the solar industry,” said Cheng.
“I’m passionate about promoting social equity and environmental justice,” remarked Marissa. “As a SolarCorps Fellow, I am able to do just that--create opportunities for hands-on solar training for those who can really benefit from them.”
Many thanks to Bank of America for its support of our SolarCorps Fellowship program!