Monday, September 15, 2008, 12:49 PM EST
[General]
Solar Richmond: A Rising Bay Area Star
Young
Richmonders celebrate the completion of a collaborative program between
Solar Richmond, Richmond BUILD, GRID Alternatives, and Solar Living
Institute.
Dear lauren,
As you know, a true eco-equity movement is taking root in the Bay
Area, throughout California, and across the US. And because this
movement to create green pathways out of poverty requires hard work
from a broad coalition of folks, we decided it was high time you got to
know some of our allies a little bit better. We're happy to introduce
a new series of Partner Profiles, beginning with our friends at Solar
Richmond.
Solar Richmond, a close regional ally of the Green-Collar Jobs
Campaign, is doing amazing work in Richmond -- connecting the people
who most need work to the work that most needs to be done, all while
helping low-income homeowners keep their energy bills low through
no-cost solar installation.
The innovative and inspiring work of Solar Richmond is moving low-income residents and youth of color into the green economy. As the green-collar jobs idea builds momentum throughout the nation,
this program is among the first to "walk the talk" by providing low
cost and free solar system installation to low-income homeowners, while
training low-income residents from the community to do the work.
The Richmond program is comprised of three key partners:
Solar Richmond: a community based non-profit organization
that forged the partnership for this program. Solar Richmond is also
increasingly working with solar installation companies.
Richmond
BUILD Program: the City of Richmond's low-income residential assistance
and construction training program that is funded through federal, state
and foundation grants.
GRID Alternatives: a non-profit that installs solar systems for low-income homeowners and provides solar training.
In 2007, a total of 32 Richmond residents completed the special
training program: Richmond BUILD's existing eight-week construction
skills training program with an additional two-week solar skills module
added by Solar Richmond. All trainees interviewed with potential
employers within weeks of graduation. As of December 2007, all but five program graduates had been hired by local solar and construction firms. Solar Richmond continues to coordinate regular trainings and facilitate
job placement for graduates. In the coming years, Solar Richmond plans
to expand its program. Next year, with increased funding, green
building techniques will be incorporated throughout the nine week
program.
Right now Solar Richmond has a golden opportunity -- the City of
Richmond has agreed to fund half the cost of 10 internships for Solar
Richmond graduates at local solar companies. Several of these
internships are already under way!
Through this Challenge Grant, the city will match -- dollar for dollar -- what Solar Richmond raises to fund internship wages.
Because Solar Richmond is such an important ally in our work to
fight pollution and poverty at the same time, we hope you'll to take a
closer look at what they're doing and, if you're able, help them reach their goal of $10,000 for this on-the-job internship program. This is your opportunity to support on-the-ground green-collar work that is serving as a model for the entire nation.
We can go on and on about the great work they're doing over at Solar
Richmond, but we want you to hear it directly from them! Please visit their web site today, or click here to go directly to Solar Richmond's Challenge Grant page to make a
contribution today. Your gift will be matched by the City of Richmond
and will help ten people get hands-on, industry-linked training in
solar installation!
Green jobs, not jails,
Ian, Aaron, Nwamaka, Emily, and the Green-Collar Jobs Campaign team Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
No one can make a documentary with as much political savvy, humor, and
creativity as Michael Moore. And no one is as willing to tackle our
elected officials with the same tenacity.
After unleashing Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and SiCKO in recent years, Moore has set his sights on the Bush administration and our nation's voter turnout in his latest film, Slacker Uprising, which chronicles his 62-city swing state tour of college campuses just prior to the 2004 election.
Here's the best part: To maximize the reach of his message and as a
thank you gift to his fans, Moore is adopting a novel approach to
distributing this film. He's teaming up with Brave New Films to
distribute the movie online, completely free of charge.
Sign up now on http://slackeruprising.com and you will be notified when the film is available for free download on September 23.
You can also buy the DVD for $9.95, which will start shipping on
September 23 and features extras like: Special Guest Joan Baez -
America the Beautiful, Why People Like George Bush?, My Pet Goat, The
O'Reilly Factor for Kids, Just Add Water and Heat - More Ramen and
Clean Underwear, and more. Or should I say, Moore!
We share Moore's hope that this film will get people to vote in
this election, just as Moore's 2004 tour sparked greater turnout. So go
to http://slackeruprising.com now, spread the trailer around to your friends, and get inspired.
Yours, Robert Greenwald and the Brave New team
P.S. And for even more Moore, check out his recent back-to-back appearances on Meet the Bloggers. Then, tune into the show tomorrow at 1pm ET/10am PT. Our guest host, punk rock icon Henry Rollins, will be joined by bloggers Jonathan Kim (FOX Attacks!), Liliana Segura (AlterNet.org) and Paul Waldman (Media Matters).
They'll discuss how the corporate media has favored the McCain campaign
throughout this election, a bias that has only become more pronounced
during the Republican National Convention.
Check out some of the material below and learn about the extent of the media's bias. Then, go to Meet the Bloggers at 1pm ET/10am PT to join the conversation.
--- Brave New Films is supported by members like you, please consider making a donation. You can get our latest videos on email, iTunes, RSS, Facebook, and YouTube here. To stop receiving the latest videos from us, click here. We are located at 10510 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.
Climate change has been a hot topic this summer, as you know.
We're
thrilled to see more and more folks jump on the green bandwagon, and
we're working hard to make sure our goal of creating green pathways out
of poverty doesn't get lost in all the hype. Guess what? We're
WINNING.
Check out our summer round-up:
"I'll Be Back": Multi-Billion-$ Green Bond Measure to Return in 2009 California's biggest green jobs bill didn't quite make it to the
governor's desk this year, but it went much further than anyone
expected. And it will be back, stronger and better, in 2009! SB 1672
(Steinberg) would have invested $2.25 billion in green career education
and training, especially for California's disadvantaged communities. We
enjoyed small victories as the bill sailed through the State Senate and
almost all the way through the Assembly. Alas, the bill got held up in the
Assembly Appropriations Committee in the midst of California's worst
budget year in recent memory. But we're not worried -- along the way,
we've helped amass the largest, most powerful green jobs coalition ever
seen in the Golden State. And we're just getting started. More >>>
Passed! California Green-Collar Jobs Act of 2008 Speaking of laying the groundwork: An important bill just passed the
California Legislature and is now waiting to be signed by Governor
Schwarzenegger! AB 3018 (Núñez) creates a special "Green-Collar Jobs
Council" in the California Workforce Investment Board. This Council
will drive planning, research, and funding to meet California's growing
green workforce needs. If signed, this bill will ensure that
green-collar jobs are a permanent part of California's workforce
strategy. More>>>
September 27: Join Us in Oakland for Green Jobs Now! Concert and Rally SAVE THE DATE! Get ready to send our local officials, the next
President, and Congress a clear message: America is ready for green
jobs now. And we're starting with Oakland and the East Bay. On
September 27, join hundreds of people for FREE FOOD and a FUN,
INSPIRING afternoon concert and rally at Mosswood Park. And get in on a
GIANT GROUP PHOTO to showcase hundreds of Oaklanders who, like millions
across the country, are ready to build a new, clean economy that heals
the planet and ensures prosperity for all. More >>>
As always, we wouldn't be celebrating these victories if it weren't
for YOU. Thank you again and again for your enthusiasm, support, and
action as we create solutions that fight poverty and pollution at the
same time.
Green Jobs, Not Jails!
Ian, Aaron, Nwamaka, Emily Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Team, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
P.S. Your tax-deductible contribution will help Ella Baker Center continue to transform smart ideas into solid opportunities for our communities and our cities. Make a gift today!
- Install a programmable thermostat. This made a noticeable
difference in my heating bills. Not so much on the cooling. Since I'm
due for a new AC unit this spring, I'll be getting at LEAST a 15 SEER
unit.
- Switch to CFL's almost everywhere.
I replaced 700 Watts of light in the bathroom that was on probably 2 or
3 hours a day between us, to probably 80 or 100 Watts. It cooled the
bathroom down and therefore we have less need to run the AC in the
summer.
I also replaced my side-by-side refrigerator that was 10 years old with
a bottom freezer unit. Bottom freezer units seem to be much more
efficient than side-by-sides.
I also replaced my SUV with a crossover. I know, shoot me right? I have
to tow with it and while it isn't a Prius, it is better than a regular
SUV. Luckily I work from home most days!
I'm not the type that goes out of his way to conserve, and I probably
never will be, but I WILL do things that are easy to do. For example, I
don't buy bottled water for home or work, but I will if I am at a gas
station and need something to drink on a trip. I'll think about the
water when I brush my teeth thing. That seems easy enough.
1. I use GoodSearch (www.goodsearch.com) as my main internet search
engine - 50% of the revenue from my internet searches goes to the
nonprofit of my choice, and it's powered by Yahoo! so I get good
results. Be sure to add it to your toolbar so you don't even have to
think about it.
2. I participate in the World Community Grid
(www.worldcommunitygrid.org) - whenever my computer is idle, it is used
in research projects that benefit humanity, such as AIDS research
