Each Sunrise is a fresh start… a new day… a brand new pencil on an empty page – Linda Poindexter
Early in the morning before sunrise, a group of volunteers from Visalia awaits the GRID volunteer carpool van for a life changing volunteer experience. Since August 2017, GRID Alternatives Central Valley has been working with Turning Point of Central California at the Visalia Reentry Center in Visalia, CA. With the help of Ed Mata, Visalia Reentry Center Job Developer and Frank Ruiz Visalia Reentry Center Program Director, GRID was able to form a partnership.
This partnership has provided Turning Points clients an opportunity to volunteer with GRID and give back to the community while they learn new skills. The solar industry in California is booming and the experience they get by volunteering will benefit them when looking for a solar career. For many of the Turning Point Volunteers, giving back to the community is something they value and are committed to providing this service for their local families. One volunteer named Daniel states, “I am really thankful for this hands-on experience working with others helping our community while we learn, turns out I love the job and I plan to do it again.” This gives them an opportunity to a fresh start on a new chapter of their lives.
Turning Point first helped the Perez family in Visalia, California and since then they have helped 14 other families in the Central Valley. The combined projects are equivalent to 15,169 trees planted, eliminating 804 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from going into our environment and saving the families $443,228 in lifetime savings.
On every install you can see the brotherhood and camaraderie to get the job done. The GRID Alternatives Central Valley office believes in second chances and together we are working to make our communities a better place for everyone. “This opportunity has opened my eyes that there is more than just working in the fields. Everyone at GRID really cares and takes their time to teach us. I believe I can make a career out of this,” was a comment made by another volunteer named Arnold. Together we will work to help our community one install at a time. It is never too late to change and all it takes is for them to experience something life changing to make that Turning Point in their life. We are working strategically to reduce recidivism and create opportunities for reentry citizens. We want to thank Turning Point Visalia Reentry Center for the continued support we look forward to many years of success.