The Good Energy Collaborative

GEC group photo

The Good Energy Collaborative (GEC) is a growing, dynamic campus-community partnership between Swarthmore College faculty and students working in collaboration with environmental justice organizations and community partners from the cities of Chester and Philadelphia. Aiming to keep the ‘soul’ in solar and in the ‘soul-ar’ energy and sustainability transitions, the GEC’s initiatives include solar energy installation and integration for community-serving non-profit organizations, training in green jobs and sustainable enterprise development for low-income, Black and Brown youth and young adults, and community outreach through hands-on workshops, educational programs, and community storytelling activities. 

The mission of the GEC is primarily educational, with the goal of raising awareness of the environmental justice concerns faced by communities in the region as well as showcasing the range of sustainable economic development opportunities that have recently emerged through government policy (Inflation Reduction Act and Justice40) and foundation interest in supporting a “just transition” away from the fossil fuel economy and toward more just energy futures. As our country transitions away from fossil fuels and towards engaging more equitable and sustainable life-supporting systems, the GEC is committed to ensuring that those communities that have been overlooked and left behind in the “sustainability revolution” are meaningfully involved in determining what their communities need to thrive and to create healthier and more economically secure futures in the new green economy. 

The cities of Chester and Philadelphia have historically been negatively impacted by environmental hazards produced by a long history of unjust and unsustainable social and economic development policies. The poverty level in Chester is closer to thirty percent, about 28.3 percent. In addition to dealing with the disproportionate health effects from exposure to polluted air and severe weather events, residents from both cities are faced with other negative externalities associated with climate disruption: urban heat island effects and flooding.

With buy-in from a community engaged, educated, and trained in environmental justice initiatives, the GEC will reduce further environmental harms while empowering historically neglected communities.

 

Projects and Recent Work

Image of students standing in front of a turquoise house with solar panels that says YEAH Philly Inc. on it.

Solar Futures: Youth Leadership at the Intersections of EJ and STEM

Solar Futures is a rework of the GEC's previous youth STEM programming, Solar Agriculture. Solar Futures is designed to introduce high schoolers and young adults to topics focused on community engagement, environmental justice, and STEM, with a focus on circuits and solar. Our Swarthmore Student GEC team designs a hands-on and fun 8-week co-learning curriculum to engage youth and build their confidence with STEM and leadership skills. At the end of the program, students are able to design and build a solar installation for their community. Students learn how to make a change in their community through STEM, engagement, and social justice.

Image of Professor Everbach showing students solar panels on top of Singer roof

Youth Council: Leadership and Activism in Philly and Chester

The Youth Council is a collection of high school students in both Philly and Chester coming together to discuss, learn, and create change in their community. The Youth Council focuses on leadership development skills and activism through youth-led conversations and youth-planned events. These conversations and events include creating a podcast where youth were able to have meaningful conversations with community leaders, going to Swarthmore College to paint and discuss their visionary future for themselves and their community, going to Philadelphia City Hall to advocate for housing justice, and hosting a block party to celebrate the community and its people. With weekly meetings and monthly events, the youth dedicate time to bettering the community and themselves.

Image of a large group of people standing under a mural depicting a city street with people on it

Environmental Justice Walks: Highlighting EJ Communities and Sites

The GEC, with our community partners, was able to host Environmental Justice Walks throughout neighborhoods in Chester, West Philly, and Hunting Park. These walks are designed to stop at sites that show the challenges the communities face, but also highlight the good work communities, organizations, and people are doing. The GEC hosts EJ Tours in Chester with CRCQL to show the hardships the community faces with America's largest incinerator, Reworld, in the middle of their community. At the West Philly Walk, community members were able to design and paint a community mural at the Reentry Community Farm. And at the Hunting Park Walk, attendees were able to reflect on the sites throughout the walk and imagine how to build an even better community.

Image of a group of people of diverse ages gathered around a table in a classroom

Community Classrooms: Intergenerational Co-learning Spaces

Community classrooms teach and create a co-learning space for community members of all ages to discuss topics that traditional classrooms do not teach. We discuss topics that community members place an emphasis on and feel that there is a gap in knowledge. Everyone is invited and encouraged to share their opinions and thoughts, no matter the age. The topics discussed include farming in the off-season, book talks, composting, and the importance of urban farms. Open discussions allow community members to gain knowledge and share knowledge, which creates a more active and mindful community.         

Students at the garden

Solar Agriculture Labs: Youth Leadership Through the Intersections of EJ and STEM

The Solar Agriculture Labs are the Good Energy Collaborative’s space for young people to step into environmental justice and STEM. Designed as foundational experiences, these labs help students build the confidence and skills needed to become changemakers in their own neighborhoods. Hosted in community spaces like YEAH Philly and PSA's Healing Station, the labs are more than just hands-on learning. They’re about co-creation and co-learning. Local young adults, students, and local partners come together to explore critical environmental issues, co-design solutions, and dream of better futures. Through STEM-based activities, artistic expression, and conversations with local activists, students learn that environmental change isn’t out of reach—it starts with them.

Students gathered around a satellite image of Earth

School Visits: Bringing Environmental Advocacy to the Classroom

The Good Energy Collaborative brings grassroots environmental leadership directly into classrooms across Philadelphia and Chester. Our school visits connect students with stories of bottom-up change, highlighting ethical, community-rooted solutions to environmental issues. In collaboration with teachers, we link classroom content to real-world environmental justice work. Students hear directly from local activists and gain insight into how they can be stewards of their own environments, empowered to make a difference in their schools, neighborhoods, and beyond.

Students gathered around a green timeline that they made

Environmental Justice Labs: Leadership and Advocacy in Chester

In partnership with Chester Education Foundation and CRCQL, our Environmental Justice Labs work directly with young adults in the Chester Upland School District. The labs focuses on building awareness of environmental justice, preparing students for college, and sharing tools to become powerful advocates in their own community. At the heart of this work is CHOICES—the youth hub of CRCQL—where students learn about the ongoing challenges in Chester and how they can lead the change. The program also introduces them to "Chester Stars", inspiring a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders who are informed, equipped, and ready to act.

People gathered in a circle around a drum

Community Fireside Chats: Connecting, Healing, and Building Power Together

Our community gatherings—Solar & Your Community and Fireside Chats—are powerful spaces for residents to connect, learn, and reflect. In partnership with grassroots organizations, we introduce solar energy programming, including solar installation courses, energy efficiency resources, and local advocacy efforts. These gatherings aren’t just about information—they’re about healing, building relationships, and sharing knowledge. Together, we create spaces where community members can feel empowered, supported, and connected in the transition toward sustainable, people-powered energy solutions.

Students working on paintings around a table
Student demonstrating technique
People gathered around a fire outside in the snow
Swarthmore student teaching GEC students
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History of the GEC

The GEC evolved from an earlier campus-community collaboration known as Serenity Soular, which was primarily focused on supporting the environmental justice communities in North Philadelphia facing unequally high incidences of asthma and cancer, severe unemployment and poverty, low educational achievement, growing homelessness, and excessive incidences of police violence. Residents in North Philadelphia long expressed interest in learning more about the opportunities afforded by the green economy and the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning toward a low-carbon future. As a result, from 2013-2019, Serenity Soular partnered with Philadelphia-based organizations Serenity House, the Energy Coordinating Agency, and Solar States to develop and conduct ten home weatherization and solar panel installation workshops and three solar array installations on community centers run by environmental justice organizations in North Philadelphia. One of the core partnerships Serenity Soular developed was with RE-volv, a San Francisco-based solar financing organization that supports community-based non-profits and trains Swarthmore College students to work with the community as part of its national Solar Ambassador program.

The GEC was born in 2022 when we convened a group of social and environmental justice organizations from both Philadelphia and Chester to forge alliances between these neighboring cities with Swarthmore College as the anchoring institution. To date the partner organizations are Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living (CRCQL) a 30-year old environmental justice organization led by Chester residents; the YES Center, a Chester cultural and achievement hub; Chester Education Foundation; Hunting Park Community Solar Initiative, a North Philadelphia community solar network; Eddie's House, an organization serving young adults and community members with housing instability; Re-entry Community Farm, an organization supporting the community revitalization and urban agriculture goals of formerly-incarcerated residents; Philly Service Announcement (PSA) and Philly Thrive, a grassroots policy and community development organization striving to bring environmental and climate justice to the residents of South Philadelphia.