Last month, we were privileged and pleased to bring solar to the Hyatt residence in Gardena! After contract signing with Carolyn, who grew up in Gardena and remembers the community in days when it was mostly agricultural, we let her and her sister know that we'd be getting Citizens' Climate Lobby involved in their project. Citizens' Climate Lobby - Long Beach, whose membership region extends to all the Los Angeles communities south of I-105, is an active and informed group of concerned citizens who care about influencing the political process that deals with climate change issues. Part of CCL Long Beach's activities for chapter members include activities like our installs: opportunities on the ground to shift the way we think about environmentalism.
One of the Long Beach concerned citizens involved in the organization is former GLA employee Alan Williamson, who has plenty of relevant experience installing solar in the South Bay that came from his long journey on our staff. At the time of his retirement, Alan had led more installations than anyone at GLA; that meant Alan had a lot less to pick up the day we began construction than some of his install partners, but it turned out to be a quick learning for everyone. "I have personally worked with thousands of volunteers in this process," Alan explained, "and most of the participants come away with a good sense of what solar does for the community and how it benefits low income families." Sure enough, our successful two days on the Hyatts' roof gave them a way to drastically reduce bills and keep Gardena's air clean for plants' and people's growth.
Towards the end of our final day in Gardena, CCL Long Beach was pleased that City Councilman Mark E. Henderson and his wife Nichelle paid the volunteers a visit and inspected our handiwork. Councilman Henderson, as a resident of the neighborhood with extensive expertise in education and workforce development, knows very well how hands-on training like ours opens doors for everyone from veterans to young jobseekers.
