On October 24, youth empowerment organization YEAH Philly, in partnership with RE-volv, Good Energy Collaborative (GEC) and GreenBrilliance, hosted a community celebration for its new 12-kW solar array that will meet 100% of YEAH Philly’s electricity needs.
Thanks to Billie Eilish and her fans, through Eilish’s Changemaker Program, a grant was made to RE-volv via REVERB, helping YEAH Philly go solar and achieve these savings.
“Solar energy is the future for nonprofits,” said Kendra Van De Water, co-executive Director of YEAH Philly. “Not just because of the cost savings, but because this is a way for us to invest in our communities.”
Since its founding in 2018, Black-led, community-based organization YEAH Philly (Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout) has provided 227 sustainable job opportunities or paid internships, court advocacy for 175 young people and free groceries to over 17,000 community members.
The celebration featured food, live music, a local nonprofit resource fair, remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Billie Eilish was recognized at the event as a project supporter through her Changemaker Program.
RE-volv, a national nonprofit that develops and finances solar projects for community-serving nonprofits, received the Changemaker grant that helped enable the solar installation for YEAH Philly. Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation Solar Moonshot Program also contributed grant support for the project. The YEAH Philly solar project was spearheaded by RE-volv Solar Ambassador fellows and GEC students from Swarthmore College. RE-volv’s Solar Ambassador Program is a clean energy leadership training program for college students looking for careers in clean energy.
“We have all the solutions we need to solve the climate crisis and provide affordable, reliable, clean energy in our communities, but not everyone knows this,” said Andreas Karelas, executive director of RE-volv. “When cultural icons like Billie Eilish use their platform to support projects like solar for YEAH Philly, and raise awareness about solutions, it’s one of the most important things anyone can do.”
YEAH Philly’s solar project is a part of an ongoing partnership with Good Energy Collaborative (GEC), focused on cultivating youth and community leadership. Together, they offer hands-on workshops in solar energy, green jobs and urban agriculture, empowering young people in West Philly to see themselves in the clean energy movement.
“These are exactly the kinds of collaborations we need to create sustainable solutions for communities most affected by climate change,” said Giovanna Di Chiro, director of the Good Energy Collaborative and Professor of Environmental Studies at Swarthmore College. “Engaging young people in hands-on climate justice projects is vital to building a better future, and having young superstars like Billie Eilish champion the cause only amplifies the potential for positive change.”
News item from RE-volv
