Gary Winfield

Winfield: AT&T Awards $10,000 Grant to Support Local Green Jobs Initiative

Nonprofit organization Solar Youth helps prepare New Haven youth to compete in Connecticut’s burgeoning green economy

NEW HAVEN— Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) joined AT&T Connecticut today for a ceremonial presentation of a $10,000 grant to Solar Youth, a New Haven-based nonprofit organization committed to empowering young people from the city’s low income neighborhoods to achieve lifelong success through exploration, problem-solving and long-term supportive relationships with mentors.

Earlier this year, when representatives from AT&T reached out to Sen. Winfield looking for a community program they could invest in, he recommended Solar Youth. On Monday, AT&T Connecticut representatives Sen. Gary Winfield paid a visit to Solar Youth to meet with students and staff and to officially present the grant.

“I can’t say enough great things about Solar Youth and I applaud our city’s young people for everything they have been able to achieve through this program. It’s truly inspiring,” Sen. Winfield said. “Connecticut is and will continue to be committed to protecting the environment for future generations. But the only way we accomplish this is to have everyone —from government officials, to private businesses, to youth leaders in our communities —do what they can to help out. I’m proud to be a part of that here today and I want to thank AT&T for their investment this program.”

AT&T’s $10,000 grant will specifically support the organization’s Green Jobs Internship program. Through this internship program, Solar Youth helps connect participating high school students with paid internships in the green economy. Interns—or, “Green Jobs Apprentices”—learn concrete, transferrable skills that will help prepare them to enter the local workforce and positively contribute to the community.

“It has never been more important to empower youth to break the cycle of poverty and achieve lifelong success,” said Joanne Sciulli, executive director/founder of Solar Youth. “Solar Youth is proud to be partnering with AT&T in support of our Green Jobs Youth Development program. We share a commitment to advancing education and strengthening communities. This program offers youth with opportunities to develop job and leadership skills, exposes them to college options, and supports them as positive agents of change in their communities.”

“All of us at AT&T are always striving to be leaders in innovation. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to support an organization with that same mindset,” said Kelly Wade Bettuchi, Director External Affairs, AT&T Connecticut. “Solar Youth is an incredible organization that helps local students learn the skills they’ll need to secure jobs in the future. More importantly, it’s an organization that helps young people develop genuine passion for problem-solving and community improvement.”
Learn more about Solar Youth by visiting www.solaryouth.org.