The Team!

Energy Warriors

A Pathway to Success in Green Energy Careers

The Energy Warriors Green Career Pathways program introduces youth at four New York State, Office of Children and Family Services facilities to green career training, work readiness and life skills development. The program combines classroom instruction with hands on energy efficiency skills training and consists of the following three components: 1) Energy Warriors curriculum and training, 2) on the job training work experience, and 3) creation of reentry education and employment training opportunities for teens in their home communities.

The program started in the Finger Lakes Residential Center (Tompkins County) in November 2014. In the fall of 2015, the program expanded to the Youth Leadership Academy-another OCFS facility in Delaware county and in September 2016, Brookwood Secure Center (Columbia county) came on Board.

All of this was built on a 10-week pilot of Energy Warriors at the Finger Lakes Residential Center that ended in June 2013.

Facilities:

Finger lakes residential center

Brookwood Secure Center

Sgt. Henry Johnson Youth Leadership Academy

For more information: https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/rehab/regionalListing1.asp

Meet the Staff

Aigbokhan Aloja Airewele

Airewele works as the Program leader at Energy Warriors.

Laura Komar

Komar works as the Reentry educator at Energy Warriors.

Cheryl Starcher-Ceresna

Extension Educator: Renewable Energy

Renewable/Clean energy programs for youth provide knowledge and hands on activities in lessons on Solar Technology, Wind Energy and Geothermal Energy. Extension partners with New York State Weatherization Directors Association (NYWDA ) to provide certificate training in: Weatherization, OSHA 10. These programs prepare students for continued education or entry-level jobs in the Renewable Energy Field.

Mary Wrege

Wrege serves as the Energy Educator at Finger Lakes Residential Center for boys in Lansing, NY. She lives with her family on her family’s former dairy farm, growing fruit and native trees. Her background in agriculture and plant sciences, education and environmental law has evolved to education and outreach in the areas of renewable/alternative energy technologies, energy efficiency/conservation strategies as well as promoting youth workforce STEM and career opportunities.