In a significant step towards embedding sustainability in education, a partnership between 22C Development LLC, a local community solar company, and Friends of Uplift, associated with Uplift Community High School in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, has been forged to develop an innovative early college pathway for students. This initiative aligns with Illinois’ broader efforts to embrace clean energy and create equitable job opportunities, following the Clean and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) signed into law by Governor Pritzker in September 2021.

The collaboration aims to cultivate a curriculum centered around environmentalism and sustainability. It promises scholarships for certifications and degrees while incorporating local mentorship and career-building opportunities with 22C, its associates, and other industry players. By extending into the 2030s and expanding to other age group schools in Uptown, the project hopes to provide a comprehensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) experience for students in Chicago.

With an investment of over one million dollars from 22C, the initiative also involves significant upgrades to Uplift Community High School facilities, including a dedicated classroom for the new sustainability pathway. These facilities are set to become a cornerstone for teaching and learning in energy and environmental justice, focusing on making a substantial impact on both local communities and the broader societal framework.

Alex Farkes, founder of 22C, highlighted the organic and locally-driven development of this partnership, which began with community interactions facilitated by Uplift’s proximity to Uptown’s central business area. This collaboration underscores the role of community and educational leaders in creating impactful educational models that intertwine core academic competencies with pressing global issues like sustainability and equitable job creation.

The Pathway strives to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing clean energy sector in Illinois, acknowledging the state’s significant increase in distributed generation projects — a 500% hike since September 2021. Dr. Graham, principal of Uplift, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, particularly for marginalized students, by equipping them with the resources and knowledge to pursue careers that effect positive environmental and economic change.

Uplift Community High School has been proactive in integrating real-world issues into its curriculum, focusing on preparing students not just for current job markets, but also for actively participating in and shaping a sustainable future. This forward-thinking approach is apparent in their commitment to not only teaching about technology and sustainability but encouraging students to critique and improve upon existing systems and structures.

The partnership between 22C Development, Friends of Uplift, and Uplift Community High School represents a pioneering model for integrating environmental sustainability into public education, aligning academic objectives with industry needs, and promoting social equity through targeted educational programs. This initiative is a testament to the potential of educational institutions to act as catalysts for sustainable community development, offering a blueprint that could inspire similar strategies in other regions of the country.