Elevate’s Solar Training Program Empowers Chicagoans to Launch Rewarding Careers in Clean Energy, Build Healthier Communities

CHICAGO – This week, Elevate, in partnership with Cultivate Collective, Sesenergi Eco Solutions, and Priority Consulting & Services, celebrated the graduation of nine participants from its Clean Energy Training Program. The ten-week program equipped graduates from Chicago’s Southwest Side with the skills they need to succeed in the solar industry by pairing a robust training curriculum with personalized case management and holistic support. In addition to gaining technical expertise and industry-recognized credentials, the graduates developed communication and problem-solving skills that will contribute to their long-term success as professionals. 

“The clean energy transition requires a skilled workforce, and programs like this ensure Chicagoans can benefit from the opportunities this transition creates,” said Elevate’s CEO Dr. Anne Evens. “We are so proud of these graduates’ achievements and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in their careers and communities.”  

The summer 2026 cohort was the second hosted by Cultivate Collective, a Chicago nonprofit grounded in the belief that environment impacts everything—uniting education, wellness, sustainability, and economic opportunity on the Southwest Side. In 2025, Cultivate was named a Climate Champion at the Chicago Innovation Awards for its innovative model of community-centered, regenerative development across LeClaire Courts and Southwest Chicago. 

Participants spent the summer receiving immersive hands-on training led by industry experts in Cultivate’s state-of-the-art geodesic domes, located on the six-acre campus that it shares with the Academy for Global Citizenship.  

“This second cohort has shown a strong commitment to innovation and a deep curiosity for clean energy solutions,” shared Lekisha Gunn, Cultivate Collective’s community engagement and partnerships coordinator. “Watching them train on Chicago’s Southwest Side—in the same community many of them call home—is a reminder that the green economy is happening here, and it’s led by our own neighbors.” 

In July 2026, the Academy for Global Citizenship became the first project in Illinois and the first whole school building anywhere in the world to achieve the Living Building Challenge certification—the world’s most rigorous environmental standards. With this milestone, Elevate’s partnership with Cultivate Collective gives the next generation of innovative leaders an invaluable opportunity to learn alongside pioneers in sustainability, education, and community revitalization. 

Dedicated to preparing individuals for careers in the clean energy sector, Sesenergi Eco Solutions led the training for the cohort and empowered participants with the theoretical understanding and practical expertise required to thrive in the renewable energy industry.  

“In order to run successful programs like this, you need healthy collaboration with groups that are skilled in their area of expertise,” said Sesenergi’s co-founder Senyo Ador. “Having partners like Elevate and Priority Consulting & Services that have the capacity to help with the logistics allows us to focus on putting forth engaging curriculum.  Hosting the training at Cultivate Collective creates an immersive experience. Being able to do work in a geo-dome, or walking past an array of solar panels, or seeing farm-to-table activity drives the message home.”  

Priority Consulting & Services (PCS) provided personalized case management support for program participants. This team of educators, social workers, and therapists is committed to addressing barriers that can hinder personal and professional growth by connecting participants with critical resources and support systems that move communities forward.    

“Barriers outside the classroom impact what happens inside the classroom,” said Priority Consulting and Services’ CEO Micah Prior. “Priority Consulting and Services understands that holistic support is critical to success, especially for emerging professionals, and offers personalized guidance to help participants navigate challenges, build confidence, and stay focused on their career goals. We are proud to support these graduates and look forward to seeing them build rewarding careers.” 

Strong partnerships through initiatives like this, combined with resources, expertise, relationships, trust and the desire for sustainable change in communities is what makes this work possible. By working together, organizations can create lasting impact, expand access to opportunity, and drive innovation that reflects the needs and strengths of the people they serve. 

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Elevate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works nationally and is headquartered in Chicago. Elevate seeks to create a just and equitable world in which everyone has clean and affordable heat, cooling, power, and water in their homes and communities. Our goal is to transform clean energy by expanding its benefits and services while making them more accessible than ever before. We are deploying reliable and affordable clean energy solutions so that every community has access to renewable energy. For more information about Elevate, visit elevatenp.org.    

Cultivate Collective is a Chicago-based community hub and resource center that unites education, wellness, sustainability, and economic vitality to create a resilient, equitable, and vibrant future for all. Located on the Southwest Side, Cultivate combines green workforce training through its Green Institute, food systems and land stewardship, and wellness programming to expand opportunity for residents of LeClaire Courts, Garfield Ridge, and surrounding communities. For more information about Cultivate Collective, visit cultivate-collective.org. 

Sesenergi Eco Solutions is on a mission to make clean energy accessible, equitable, and transformative. By integrating innovative renewable solutions with workforce development and community engagement, we empower individuals, businesses, and historically underserved communities to take control of their energy future. Our goal is not just to power homes and businesses but to build a more sustainable, inclusive world—one project, one partnership, and one empowered community at a time. For more information about Sesenergi Eco Solutions, visit sesenergillc.com.  

Priority Consulting & Services is a mission-driven consulting firm dedicated to creating sustainable social and economic impacts through innovative, evidence-based approaches. Our goal is to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services that respond to community needs. We achieve this by taking an interdisciplinary, community-driven approach to tackle organizational concerns. PCS provided personalized case management support for program participants. For more information about Priority Consulting & Services, pcs-firm.com.