City of San Bernardino, CA; April 21, 2014 – Non-profit solar contractor GRID Alternatives Inland Empire received a $15,000 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to bring no-cost solar power and training to low-income families and job trainees in the City of San Bernardino. This will provide needed savings for families while preparing workers for jobs in the fast-growing solar industry and helping to clean the air. The first of three solar systems will be installed by GRID Alternatives and volunteer job trainees from Youth Power Community Solutions, an organization that prepares at-risk youth for construction-related careers, on April 25-26, 2014, in celebration of Earth Day.
Juisa Powell, a single mother of two, is thrilled to be receiving the first system. Powell learned about GRID Alternatives several years ago when she researched utility bill assistance programs for her elderly mother. “I figured she could benefit from this great program,” said Powell, who was staying with her mother to save for a down payment on a home. Since purchasing her own home a year ago, Powell knows firsthand the challenges of staying on top of bills and other expenses. Her solar system through GRID Alternatives will provide needed savings, reducing her electric bills by approximately 80% annually. “The energy savings will allow me to help [my son] with his higher education,” said Powell, whose son will be graduating from high school next year.
Powell also plans to enroll her son in GRID Alternatives’ volunteer program to learn hands-on how to install solar electric systems on homes. “I'm worried about his future,” said Powell, “[and] would love for him to get involved in the green industry.”
"San Manuel is proud to support GRID Alternatives work in the City of San Bernardino," said San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “We are committed to partnering with groups like GRID Alternatives that work to make positive impacts on the community and the environment.”
Registration is currently open for local job trainees and community volunteers to sign up and get involved in the solar installations to gain the vital hands-on experience needed to join the solar workforce. These solar systems will provide the San Bernardino families an estimated combined lifetime savings of over $90,000 while offsetting 290 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to taking more than 50 cars off the road for 1 year or planting over 2,000 trees.
About San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. Since time immemorial, the San Manuel tribal community has endured change and hardship. Amidst these challenges the tribe continued to maintain its unique form of governance. Like other governments it seeks to provide a better quality of life for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. Today San Manuel tribal government oversees many governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment.