Energy Communities AmeriCorps VISTA EDA-Ctr For Comm Grt Y1

As energy opportunities expand, coal and power facility jobs are declining across the United States. This VISTA project will develop and advance programs that increase environmental awareness and stewardship, job training, employment pathways, and access to existing federal and community resources for low-income individuals living in energy transition communities.

Indiana County Thrives (ICT) is an inclusive, community-led economic and workforce development initiative focused on creating equitable opportunities in the coal-impacted communities of Indiana County, PA. ICT draws strength from its partnership with The Center for Community Growth and Whole Unity Inc., who have been working to address the needs of marginalized communities and strengthen community bonds. ICT¿s focus is to build capacity by facilitating strategic workshops that advance place-based development. Our program seeks to connect each community¿s unique identity, assets, and ambitions, to create innovative pathways for thriving places to live, work, and play. Our efforts have gained momentum with the addition of 2 DOE capacity building programs. With the help of our VISTA, we¿re poised to leverage these new skills, relationships, and the groundwork from our existing programs to achieve a just transition. The VISTA project will be instrumental in facilitating ICT¿s mission to bring about new, diverse economic and workforce opportunities. Their skills will help us in executing our workshops, engaging with stakeholders, reporting on results, finding funding, and developing the partnerships that will turn community-led innovation strategies into actionable steps towards building diverse and robust local economies that follow the Department of Labor¿s good jobs principles.