Community Organization: Sustainable South Bronx

Sustainable South Bronx’s Environmental Stewardship Training Program (BEST) provides free green-collar job training for primarily Bronx borough residents, but it is open to all NYC residents. The 10 week program trains individuals in riverine and estuarine restoration (the Bronx River is the hands-on classroom), bioremediation, green roof installation, phytomediation, ecological, salt marsh and wetland restoration, stream bank stabilization, hazardous waste clean up and brownfield’s remediation. The program also includes valuable life skills in time management, financial management, resume writing, and environmental justice. In addition, the program offers certification programs in first aid and CPR, hazardous materials handling, OSHA, tree climbing and pruning.

Click here to see an informative interview with Majora Carter, executive director of Sustainable South Bronx, by Monica Trauzzi of OnPoint (10/23/2007) (written transcript included). The Grist also interviewed Carter (9/28/06), and The Nation reports about the cleaning of the Bronx River (8/13/07).

Community Organization: GRID Alternatives

GRID Alternatives provides renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training to low-income homeowners and community members in the San Francisco Bay Area. GRID Alternatives installs solar electric systems for low-income families, reducing electric bills by 75%, and trains community volunteers on theory and practice of solar electric installation, giving the volunteers hands-on experience with solar installation projects. The organization also installs energy efficient upgrades for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Palo Alto Daily News reports how GRID Alternatives installed solar panels on an East Palo Alto home (8/20/07) and NBC News interviews Erica Mackie, Exective Director of Grid Alternatives (7/27/07).

Community Organization: Solar Richmond

Solar Richmond’s Richmond Solar Affordable Housing Project installs residential solar electric systems for low-income Richmond homeowners. Installation services are provided free of charge and are provided by construction trainees and other community members. Solar Richmond partners with Grid Alternatives for the installations.

Solar Richmond also partners with the City of Richmond’s BUILD program, which provides Richmond residents a comprehensive pre-apprenticeship construction skills course that includes math, blue print reading, carpentry, cement work, basic electrical and plumbing. The BUILD Program is nine weeks long, open to high school graduates (or GED) and includes job-placement services.