On October 24th, the youth empowerment organization YEAH Philly, in collaboration with RE-volv, Good Energy Collaborative (GEC), and GreenBrilliance, hosted a community celebration to mark the completion of its new 12-kilowatt solar array, which will fully meet YEAH Philly's electricity needs.

Thank you to Billie Eilish and her fans. Through Eilish's Changemaker Program, RE-volv received a grant through REVERB to assist YEAH Philly in installing solar energy and achieving these savings.

"Solar energy is the future of non-profit organizations," said Kendra Van De Water, co-executive director of YEAH Philly. "Not only because of cost savings, but also because it's a way for us to invest in our community."

Since its establishment in 2018, YEAH Philly (Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout), a community-based organization led by black individuals, has provided sustainable job opportunities or paid internships for 227 young people, offered court advocacy to 175 young people, and provided free groceries to over 17,000 community members.



The celebration included food, live music, an exhibition of resources from local non-profit organizations, speeches, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Billie Eilish was honored as a project supporter at the event, through her Changemaker initiative.

RE-volv, a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers solar energy projects for community service, received funding from the Changemaker Fund, which helped facilitate the solar installation at YEAH Philly. The Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation's Solar Moonshot program also provided financial support for the project. The solar energy project at YEAH Philly was led by members of the RE-volv Solar Ambassador program and GEC students from Swarthmore College. The RE-volv Solar Ambassador program is a clean energy leadership training initiative for college students seeking careers in clean energy.

"We have all the solutions to address the climate crisis and provide affordable, reliable, and clean energy to 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 solar energy projects like YEAH Philly and raise awareness about solutions, it is one of the most important things anyone can do.". ”

Yes, the solar energy project in Philadelphia is part of an ongoing collaboration with the Good Energy Collaborative (GEC), focusing on cultivating youth and community leadership. Together, they offer hands-on workshops on solar energy, green jobs, and urban agriculture, allowing young people in West Philly to see themselves reflected in the clean energy movement.

"These are precisely the types of collaborations we need to create sustainable solutions for communities most severely impacted 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 practical climate justice projects is crucial for building a better future, and the support of young superstars like Billie Eilish for this cause only amplifies the potential for positive change.".