This AmeriCorps Week, meet our SolarCorps Fellows!
The national SolarCorps Fellowship Program is GRID Alternatives’ capstone workforce development program, with an alumni base over 200 people strong! Through their year of service with GRID, SolarCorps Fellows gain valuable experience in the solar and non-profit industries to help launch their renewable energy careers, while making significant contributions to GRID and the low-income communities we serve. In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2019 — and in recognition of Women’s History Month — we would like to introduce you to six incredible SolarCorps Fellows, many of them women in construction, who are serving across five GRID regions!
Name: Caitlin McCuskeyTitle: SolarCorps Construction FellowLocation: Sacramento, CA
“I want to feel confident with the entire solar process: from application to site visit to design to permit to install to inspection. I want to use this knowledge to continue working in the environmental field, specifically in design. Right now, the beauty of conduit is keeping me up at night, and honing that skill is high on my short term list.”
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Name: Darren UyematsuTitle: SolarCorps Outreach FellowLocation: Los Angeles, CA
“SolarCorps has put the wind in my sails again, after having worked job after job after job. It’s reinfused confidence in my life, rather than just sort of floating by, working just to pay the bills. There’s purpose to our work, not just making profit but really doing meaningful work.”
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Name: Sophie BrooksTitle: SolarCorps Program FellowLocation: Riverside, CA“Before joining SolarCorps, I was a crew leader for Washington Trails Association doing trail maintenance and restoration. As a SolarCorps Program Fellow, I’m getting to learn a little bit of everything, which is what I was hoping for. I’m working towards a career with the National Park Service or the Forest Service, in order to combine my passions for environmental education, conservation, and hard work outside. I hope to be rocking a sick uniform in the near future!”
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Name: Lacy CookeTitle: SolarCorps Construction FellowLocation: Washington, D.C.
“I’m new to D.C., so in addition to learning as much about the solar industry as I can, I want to learn about my new city and its people and give back in a very tangible way. Solar for low-income families is the perfect fit!”
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Name: Kristina DelgadoTitle: SolarCorps Construction FellowLocation: Chico, CA
“Before joining SolarCorps, I was a crew leader for a landscaping company and I worked in the California Conservation Corps. I want to learn everything I need to know for both ground and roof construction. I would also like to learn design. One day I hope to be an SIS!”
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Name: Briget ArndellTitle: SolarCorps Multifamily Development FellowLocation: Los Angeles, CA
“SolarCorps has completely changed the trajectory of my career. Prior to this I was in higher education. I just kind of realized it wasn’t what I wanted to be doing. When I found GRID and I found the SolarCorps opportunity, it just felt like the perfect way to make my way into the solar industry because it would give me the training, skills, and experience I needed. I really believe that I’m at the beginning of my career in solar renewable energy.”
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Thank you to our SolarCorps Fellows, who dedicate their year of service to GRID’s mission. The SolarCorps Fellowship Program is part of the AmeriCorps network of programs. SolarCorps is made possible with funding support from AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, and Bank of America. AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering, service, and civic engagement. CNCS engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteer and service efforts. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
