On October 24, youth empowerment group YEAH Philly, in partnership with RE-volv, Good Power Collaborative (GEC) and GreenBrilliance, hosted a neighborhood celebration for its new 12-kW photo voltaic array that will meet 100% of YEAH Philly’s electrical energy wants.
Because of Billie Eilish and her followers, by way of Eilish’s Changemaker Program, a grant was made to RE-volv by way of REVERB, serving to YEAH Philly go photo voltaic and obtain these financial savings.
“Photo voltaic power is the long run for nonprofits,” stated Kendra Van De Water, co-executive Director of YEAH Philly. “Not simply due to the fee financial savings, however as a result of this can be a approach for us to spend money on our communities.”
Since its founding in 2018, Black-led, community-based group YEAH Philly (Youth Empowerment for Development Hangout) has supplied 227 sustainable job alternatives or paid internships, court docket advocacy for 175 younger folks and free groceries to over 17,000 neighborhood members.
The celebration featured meals, stay music, a neighborhood nonprofit useful resource truthful, remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Billie Eilish was acknowledged on the occasion as a challenge supporter by way of her Changemaker Program.
RE-volv, a nationwide nonprofit that develops and funds photo voltaic initiatives for community-serving nonprofits, acquired the Changemaker grant that helped allow the photo voltaic set up for YEAH Philly. Hammond Local weather Options Basis Photo voltaic Moonshot Program additionally contributed grant assist for the challenge. The YEAH Philly photo voltaic challenge was spearheaded by RE-volv Photo voltaic Ambassador fellows and GEC college students from Swarthmore School. RE-volv’s Photo voltaic Ambassador Program is a clear power management coaching program for faculty college students searching for careers in clear power.
“Now we have all of the options we have to resolve the local weather disaster and supply inexpensive, dependable, clear power in our communities, however not everybody is aware of this,” stated Andreas Karelas, government director of RE-volv. “When cultural icons like Billie Eilish use their platform to assist initiatives like photo voltaic for YEAH Philly, and lift consciousness about options, it’s probably the most essential issues anybody can do.”
YEAH Philly’s photo voltaic challenge is part of an ongoing partnership with Good Power Collaborative (GEC), centered on cultivating youth and neighborhood management. Collectively, they provide hands-on workshops in photo voltaic power, inexperienced jobs and concrete agriculture, empowering younger folks in West Philly to see themselves within the clear power motion.
“These are precisely the sorts of collaborations we have to create sustainable options for communities most affected by local weather change,” stated Giovanna Di Chiro, director of the Good Power Collaborative and Professor of Environmental Research at Swarthmore School. “Participating younger folks in hands-on local weather justice initiatives is significant to constructing a greater future, and having younger superstars like Billie Eilish champion the trigger solely amplifies the potential for constructive change.”
Information merchandise from RE-volv
