Jill Stein visits “Roots Up,” a visionary green jobs program in Holyoke

Monday, February 22, 2010

HOLYOKE – Jill Stein, a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts, made a stop in Holyoke last week to pay a visit to “Roots Up,” a groundbreaking jobs training program for at-risk youth in the Greater Springfield area. Participants in the program get introduced to the clean energy industry and a wide range of “green jobs” available. They receive basic training in sustainability fundamentals, energy conservation, and energy efficiency. “These are exactly the kinds of solutions we need to be focusing on to solve the jobs and energy crises that we’re confronting,” said Stein, upon completing her tour of the facility and meeting with two recent graduates.

After program trainees get the basics covered, they are given more technical training, including basics of carpentry and plumbing, weatherization technology, and installation of solar hot water systems (see photo). The program puts a premium on offering hands-on training, instead of relying solely on classroom instruction to prepare the students for the wave of “green jobs” that are widely expected to become available in the coming years.

Stein met with Luis Suarez, age 20, and Yamil Brito, age 17, when she visited “Roots Up.” Both were recent graduates of the training program, and were recently hired by Energia, an energy efficiency and home weatherization startup based in Holyoke. Brito and Suarez took a break from their first day of work with Energia to discuss with Stein the importance of the training they received at “Roots Up.” “They’re saving money and saving the community at the same time,” Suarez said of the customers whose houses he will be weatherizing. Brito, who had to repeat the 9th grade three times before dropping out, now has a High School diploma and is looking forward to applying to college. “I thought I was unable to do anything,” he said, before taking part in the program. “Now, I want to have my own energy efficiency business.” Both Brito and Suarez talked about being part of “a family” at “Roots Up,” and discussed the importance of the program to turning their lives around.

“If I’m able to do it from where I came from, then anyone can do it,” said Brito, referring to the work he is preparing to do with Energia, installing solar hot water system and weatherizing Holyoke’s aging housing stock. “I’m proud they let me have a chance to show them who I am,” said Suarez. “I’m a changed man. They’re proud of me,” he said, referring to his family. “I’m proud of me, too.” For her part, Stein was impressed with the training and the work being done by “Roots Up” and Energia. “It’s time for state government to stop funding big development boondoggles and start expanding projects like this”, Stein declared. “These are the jobs that will be the cornerstone of our future prosperity.”