Jobs Program Empowers Youth, Conserves Energy

Andrew Suniga is honest about how he found a position with the California Energy Service Corps in Watsonville—it was a twist of fate.

"To begin with, I didn't have a job," the 19-year-old Greenfield man said. "I went out job hunting every day for three weeks and didn't find any jobs, not even fast food."

Suniga was reading his horoscope in a newspaper when he turned the page and saw an ad for the Central Coast Energy Services training program, a partnership with the California Conservation Corps that weatherizes homes for low-income residents at no cost. He applied and said some prayers, hoping he would be accepted.

Last week, Suniga and 14 other young people graduated from the sixth-month program.

"Our program really does help people. It has an immediate benefit," said Lizet Moreno, marketing and outreach manager for Central Coast Energy Services, a not-for-profit organization based in Watsonville that serves the Monterey Bay area.

California Energy Service Corps partnership started 14 years ago. During the intensive training program, the AmeriCorps members rotate through the CCES departmetns to learn various aspects of the business. They put in 900 hours—at least 40 hours a week—and receive a stipend for their work.

"It's a really hands-on training program," Moreno said. "These are all really good kids."

The last cohort—Suniga's group—assisted with the weatherization of at least 668 homes and inspected 515 others in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey counties. They also assisted in processing 2,615 applications and conducted outreach to 79,000 households in the four-county area, according to Moreno.

That's huge, because biggest barrier for providing services it that people don't know about CCES, Moreno said.

The training builds skill sets for the AmeriCorps members, most of whom live in Watsonville. They learn how to install energy-efficient refrigerators, stoves, windows, doors, thermostats, ceiling fans and insulation, as well as low-flow toilets and shower heads. They weather-strip drafty windows and doors, install insulation and provide energy-efficient light bulbs.

"This is my first job," said Suniga, who struggled in high school and failed to make the cut for the Marines but is excited about this position. To make the hour-long commute from Greenfield, Suniga mows lawns on the weekends for gas money. He's never been late for work.

"So far it's been a great adventure here," said Suniga, a friendly young man with an easy smile. He likes that he's reaching out into the community and helping low-income people.

At one job site, he was touched that the man they were helping brought them lunch after they installed weather stripping on his front door. On another project, this one in Seaside, a woman told him she'd been sleeping with seven blankets for several years because her sliding glass door didn't close fully and she was cold. Suniga and the crew were able to put in a new, functioning door.

"It makes a big difference," he said of the work.

Moreno, who's been with the program for three years, has had similar experiences.

"We had a woman last year who was eating sandwiches for six months because she didn't have a stove," Moreno said. CCES was able to install a new stove and other upgrades in her house.

"People are very, very grateful," Moreno said.

The graduating class of the California Energy Service Corps included Suniga, Anival Froylan, Cody Clemmer, Denis Avila, Francisco Lopez, Jamie Sanchez, Jonathan Alonso, Jose Antonio Fernandez, Luke Dwyer, Mario Saldana, Mayra Ruiz, Oscar Caballero, Rebcca Hassinger, Perla Nevarez and Jesus Garcia.

All receive a $2,275 scholarship to further their education—Suniga hopes to study music or theater at Hartnell or Cabrillo colleges—and are eligible to participate in the program again.

For more information about how to join the next cohort of trainees or to apply for free home weatherization, call 1-888-728-3637.