When we asked Joshua in a candid interview about his favorite food, it wasn't a nice filet at your high-end steak house or anything one would think of. It was his mother's famous homemade spaghetti tossed in her secret sauce. It was so delicious that he would eat three or four plates before being satisfied. The way he sold it had me googling recipes shortly after, with my mouth watering and curiosity about the sauce. A secret so closely guarded that not even Joshua is privy to that knowledge. My only hope is to befriend him and, one day, be invited to dinner during spaghetti night.
Joshua Garcia was born in New York and spent his childhood there. At fourteen, his mom decided to move to California to escape the harsh winters. For the past four years, they've called Fresno their home. He attended Edison High School, where his journey to GRID started. He heard about our Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training program in his sophomore year and signed up. OSHA training led to Solar Futures, a high school training program, then Installation Basics Training (IBT 200), and now a SolarCorps Fellowship with GRID Alternatives Central Valley. This role will allow him to develop his skills further and contribute to the community through solar projects.
Our Solar Futures program leverages a hands-on solar installation model to educate and inspire the next generation of solar leaders. Joshua is the fruit of this program, a shining example to students, and will inspire future generations. Joshua said he was a bit nervous on his first day at his alma mater. After a few friends greeted him, it calmed his nerves, and he was able to instruct. Now coming full circle, Joshua shares with us what a blessing and great opportunity this experience has been for him. At only eighteen, he has the skills to become a solar installer, and he's learning to become an instructor.
Looking ahead, Joshua's vision is clear. He intends to continue his journey with us even after his 11-month fellowship, aspiring to further his skills and become an electrician for GRID. When he's not serving with us, you can find Joshua on the soccer field, where he plays goalkeeper for his team. His goals for 2025, pun intended, are straightforward yet ambitious. He aims to absorb as much knowledge as possible from his service term and clinch the league championship with his team in the spirit of healthy competition.