In 2021, the City of Riverside selected Eastside as its focus area for its Transformative Climate Communities Program, initiating community-driven work to address inequities and protect residents from worsening climate hazards. As part of the program, the city partnered with GRID Alternatives Inland Empire to expand access to clean energy for low-income residents by installing no-cost solar on Eastside homes. GRID’s Community Development Coordinator, Victoria Pacheco, was charged with laying the groundwork for the projects by building relationships with residents and teaching them about the program.

Victoria quickly learned that Eastside was unlike other communities she had worked with. Many Eastside families had lived there for generations and built strong community networks along the way. She noticed that residents relied on one another for information and support, and so building a secure foundation of trust would be critical for reaching homeowners. By listening to questions, concerns, and curiosities about renewable energy, and responding with empathy, Victoria and key players of the Outreach team formed relationships with residents at places like the library and community center.  

This thoughtful community engagement eventually led to residents spreading the word about GRID themselves, encouraging friends and family to also participate in the program. Victoria and the Outreach team’s work even inspired Lupe Fuentes, a 99-year Eastside homeowner, to hold an open house to show neighbors her new solar technology.

As she looked from the steps of GRID’s final installation in Eastside, Victoria could see other homes in the neighborhood that she and all of GRID’s staff had worked on over the past three years. She notes that these accomplishments were possible because GRID understood the local history, spoke the native language, and met residents where they were at. Now, 55 cost-burdened Eastside families can enjoy the comfort of utility savings and strengthened community resilience.