News & Events

Thursday, October 29 2009 — Troy, NY  

National Grid announced its support of the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) today with a donation to the CEO’s YouthBuild program aimed at fostering the development of “at risk” youth.

National Grid is supporting the program with a donation of $4,000 to be used to help purchase the building supplies needed to build a new “green” home as part of program in Lansingburgh, NY.

CEO has been providing opportunity for local youth through their YouthBuild Program for over ten years, and for the first time will be incorporating “green” technologies in order to build more energy efficient homes for the program.

The new homes will incorporate “green technology” and be certified by the Home Energy Ratings Program, meeting the minimum criteria for energy efficiency standards and saving thousands of dollars in heating and utility costs throughout the years.  Students participating in this class will be trained in green technology, giving them an advantage for job placement upon graduating from the program. CEO will also provide additional employment skills along with job placement counseling services after the students graduate from the program.

The program provides 16 to 24 year-olds who have not completed high school or not currently attending assistance in studying for their General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Participants in the program can also learn construction by building a home for a local, low-income family and build leadership skills as well as participate in community service activities.

“This program and the new building standards utilized by CEO represent a unique opportunity to reach out to young people and give them the tools to succeed while utilizing energy efficient technologies and educating these students about environmental responsibility at the same time,” said William Flaherty, National Grid Regional Executive.

CEO’s Executive Director Karen Gordon said, “These funds are what make it possible for us to purchase the needed building supplies for the home. Although the program is fully funded we have to raise the money for the building supplies and we certainly appreciate the generosity and continued support of National Grid.”

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About National Grid

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

About CEO

The mission of the Commission on Economic Opportunity, Inc. is to preserve and advance the self-sufficiency, well being, and growth of individuals, children and families through education, guidance and resources.  CEO touches the lives of more than 10,000 individuals, empowering them to build self-sufficiency in all areas of their lives and to rise out of poverty.  CEO is a Community Action Agency.

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