GRID Alternatives Bay Area is honored to have been recognized last month by the YMCA Youth Workforce Development program, Empowerment to Employment, as their Employer Partner of the Year. This past fall through spring GRID Bay Area was able to partner with them on their Empowerment to Employment mission to provide support to transitional youth to overcome personal and professional barriers by providing them with internship and employment opportunities.
GRID Bay Area’s team was fortunate to host Maria Tapia as their construction and warehouse intern, working closely with Luis Chavez, GRID Bay Area’s Warehouse Associate. Maria consistently came to work determined and ready to try new things and face challenges. During her internship, Maria discovered not only an outlet for her passion for helping others, but also her own strengths and skills.
She is now turning those seeds started at GRID into her long-term goals to bring solar and energy stability to her to Latin America. “As an immigrant from Mexico I grew up not having many opportunities, including not having consistent electricity. when the electricity went out our food would spoil, the water would not work, and fixing the neighborhood electricity was dangerous. Bringing solar now to Latin America is like bringing it back home”, reflects Maria. She is taking her first steps by fundraising to join a GRID Alternatives’ International trip to Nicaragua this November.
Maria’s journey with GRID isn’t over yet, we’re excited to see where her ambition takes her. Thank you to the YMCA Empowerment to Employment program for connecting us to Maria and for continuing to provide opportunities for youth in our communities. It’s an honor to be recognized as their Partner of the Year!