Over the weekend, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) kicked off a campaign in partnership with many solar industry stalwarts to make accessing the solar revolution easier for communities that might not otherwise have the chance to join the solar revolution.

The event featured NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and other local leaders, and clients served by [the] Jenesse [Center] got hands-on training from GRID Alternatives.

Stella Ursua, director of outreach and partnerships for GRID Alternatives, told the Signal Tribune she was happy to see a partnership with Rebuilding Together Long Beach that helped someone in need.

In attendance at the celebratory event were Long Beach Sustainability Coordinator Larry Rich, and representatives from the offices of Mayor Robert Garcia and Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, GLA and Rebuilding Together Long Beach representatives.

Executive Director Michael Kadish: "LADWP has identified 53 zip codes within its service area with low penetration of solar. Within these areas, we’ve identified 26 megawatts of affordable housing solar potential […] to expand solar access within communities that could really use its benefits."

"It will always be easy for people in really wealthy parts of Beverly Hills to have renewable energy but in an area like Long Beach the jobs and the solar might not come so quickly."

A dozen employees of the solar company SunPower, which has an Orange County office, visited the Garza residence on a Saturday to do racking on the project, add panels, and accomplish related work on the PV (photovoltaic) installation, supervised by members of GRID Alternatives' construction staff.

"GRID Alternatives does unique work connecting disadvantaged communities to solar power and ensuring that work-training opportunities to access clean energy jobs are available to populations in economic need," says Michael Kadish, Executive Director, GRID Alternatives GLA.

Ultimately, ADCAN drew 82 entries, which were judged according to both the ideas originality and execution [of telling an organization's mission].

This former gang member just needed a second chance to turn his life around.