<![CDATA[All In Energy - Blog]]>Sat, 03 Jun 2023 09:57:50 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Say Hello to our new Spring 2023 Fellows!]]>Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:48:59 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/say-hello-to-our-new-spring-2023-fellows

Jake Matyi, Program Administrator & Outreach Support Intern

Jake is a second semester senior at Bridgewater State University studying political science with a concentration in American politics. Jake joined the team as a Program Administrator & Outreach Support Intern for the spring semester of 2023. Previously, Jake interned with the Executive Office of Public Safety focusing mainly on public safety and re-entry grants. Also, he has worked as an Intern to a Town Administrator working on a wide range of projects to support the municipality. 

From this internship, Jake hopes to gain more experience in the nonprofit field and get a better understanding of how nonprofit organizations work efficiently with municipalities and state governments.

​In his free time, Jake enjoys relaxing on the lake during the summer with friends and family. His favorite place to travel to is Disney World because he grew up going there a lot with his family. Also, he likes to watch the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots on a regular basis.
Lilo Roque, Program Administrator and Merrimack Valley Outreach Support Intern
​Lilo is a sophomore at Bunker Hill Community College with a communication concentration. She plans on continuing her education in communication sciences and disorders with her studies. She hopes to one day work hands-on with students of all kinds and aid in speech communication as a career. Lilo has worked as an administrative intern at various locations, such as Boston City Hall, the YES program, and MASSLEAP. A fun fact about her, she published her first poetry book titled Polar Garden and is a proud member of the New England Poetry Club. 

Lilo is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, however, grew up within the Wakefield Public School system as a METCO student. Her family grew up on the island of Puerto Rico, and she has welcomed her culture with open arms. 

She will work as a Program Administrator and Merrimack Valley Outreach Support Intern at All In Energy.

Jing Cheng, Full Stack Developer Intern

​Jing is a computer science graduate student at Brandeis University with experience in both web and mobile development. Prior to joining All In Energy as a Full Stack Developer Intern, Jing completed two software engineering internships, gaining valuable industry experience. Jing has a strong passion for clean energy and the environment, which is what drew her to All In Energy. With a background in computer science and a desire to use technology to create innovative solutions, Jing is eager to bring her skills and knowledge to the All In Energy team.

​When she’s not coding, she enjoys climbing and reading. She is committed to continuously improving and staying current with the latest developments in the field. Jing is excited to be a part of the All In Energy team and contribute to the company's mission of promoting clean energy and sustainability.

Belle Graves, Implementation Coordinator Intern

​Belle is a senior undergraduate student at UMass Amherst double majoring in Communication and Spanish. Belle will be graduating this May. She joins the All In Energy team as the Implementation Coordinator Intern and is excited for this hands-on experience in the clean energy industry. In her spare time, Belle loves to go skiing, to yoga class, and to spend time with friends. Additionally, outside of her classes she volunteers as an ESOL tutor. 

Faith Hensley, Communications and Marketing Intern

Faith is a Senior student at Framingham State University. Her study of focus is business management with a minor in fashion merchandising. She hopes to own a clothing store that practices sustainability. Outside All in Energy, she enjoys fulfilling her leadership roles such as President of the Black Student Union. She also enjoys writing novels and painting. She is excited to work with All in Energy Marketing and Communication Team!
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<![CDATA[Farewell Fall 2021 Fellows!]]>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 18:29:57 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/farewell-fall-2021-fellowsWe really appreciated the time that we had with these amazing Fellows from the Fall Semester! Please read more below to see the invaluable roles that they played in our organization
Julia Soriano

​We are so proud of our staff member Julia Soriano who is featured in this article in the Washington Monthly about how the Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Learn and Earn Program is "Breaking the Cycle of Privilege" in job access.

"A first-generation college student, Soriano interned as a customer service representative with All In Energy.... The experience taught her how to communicate in a business environment, work on a team, and conduct meetings remotely. After graduating in May 2021 with an associate’s degree in accounting, Soriano got a full-time job at All In, working in their accounting department. She expects to receive her bachelor’s degree in communications and logistics from Southern New Hampshire University next June."

We're so proud of you, Julia!! Full article is here

We are honored to be a partner of BHCC's since 2020 as we work together to provide more opportunities for students, especially for women, people of color, low-income students and first-generation college students, to explore meaningful careers and apply their skills in the workforce.

In fact, nearly 30% of our current staff were originally paid interns with us from Bunker Hill! They're an incredible team and we are so proud of what they have accomplished!


Cat Bates

Cat is a senior at the University of Vermont, who is now finishing up her last semester this Spring. She was with us as a Communications and Marketing fellow in the Fall of 2021. Cat worked to collect testimonials from people in the community that have received an energy assessment in the past. She was able to create a guide in order to best reach members of the community, and warrant a thoughtful response. Her everyday tasks included managing our social media, blog, and website. We wish her all the best, and hope that she continues with her passion for conservation and environmental health management!
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Lilia Gardner

Lilia is a Junior at the University of New Hampshire, studying International Business and Management with a minor in Spanish. She helped us this past semester as a Finance, Administration, and Human Resources Fellow. As part of her time at All In Energy, she investigated health insurance benefits for our organization. In addition to that, she did all of our bookkeeping and payroll. We hope that this experience helped to develop her professional skills, and that she continues her passion in this field.



Genesis Hernandez

Genesis was with us as a Bilingual Communications and Marketing Fellow this past semester. She is a visual art student at Bunker Hill Community College.  She is now going to finish her time at BHCC this semester in the Spring of 2022. As a fellow at All In Energy she worked with us to create social media graphics and to customize them for different communities. She also helped us to translate important outreach such as letters and social media posts. We hope that she is able to bring back what she learned about helping local communities into her everyday life!  


Diego Mansilla

Diego is a Junior at Boston University, he was with us this past semester as a Database Development Fellow.  He worked to transfer data from the Cambridge Energy Alliance, to our data management software. He oversaw this data transfer through its entirety. He also worked through the semester in order to get his Salesforce certification. Diego is now working to finish up his degree in Information Systems, and minor in Sustainable Energy. We hope that his work here with the All In Energy team helped reaffirm his passion for sustainability and environmental equality.

We would once again like to offer our gratitude to this past semester’s fellows, and look forward to seeing the changes that they bring about in their own lives.
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<![CDATA[Beware of Energy Vampires!]]>Tue, 26 Oct 2021 19:53:55 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/beware-of-energy-vampires
​What's scarier than horror movies, graveyards, and haunted houses?
​Energy Vampires!
Energy vampires (aka phantom loads) are appliances that are continually sucking electricity even when they are turned off. Appliances may appear off but if they are plugged in, the standby mode is still thirsty for energy.

According to the Department of Energy, Energy Vampires drain 4-5% of the energy in an average home, which adds up to approximately $92 per year in the average household and $4 billion a year in the US combined. This energy wasted equals roughly 52 billion kWH per year, which is equivalent to 26 average sized power plants, and is the source of 1% of the US CO2 emissions each year (1996-2013 Salt River Project (SRP) and 2008 Good Magazine LLC).

To identify these suckers, try turning off your lights and looking around. Standby lights are signs energy is draining, even though the product isn't in use. Want to know what kind of energy vampires are in your home? Check out this calculator and see how much money you could be saving. 

​Top Energy Vampires

Energy Vampires can live anywhere in your house, check out the list below to learn which appliances might be draining you energy.
 
  • HD-DVR, 1 HD Set-Top Box
  • Instant-on TVs. In most instances, the larger the screen, the more energy the TV uses
  • Computers and computer-related equipment such as modems, routers, printers and fax machines
  • Any items in your house that maintain a clock: microwave and programmable coffee maker​

How to Identify Energy Vampires

Even when you are not using appliances or electronics, energy vampires can still consume power just by being plugged into the wall.  Look around your home for any plug electronics that are not being use. Chances are that most of them are draining energy without your knowledge. Find below a list of clues to recognize energy vampires at home:

  • Has an external power supply
  • A remote control
  • A continuous display (including an LED), such as a clock
  • Charges batteries​
How can you stop energy vampires?
  • Unplug appliances and electronics, especially cell phone chargers and video game systems, when not in use.
  • Use power strips that will turn off all appliances (TVs and HD-DVR players) or electronics (all computer equipment) plugged into them.
  • Turn off routers, printers and other peripheral computer equipment when not in use.
  • Replacing Outdated and Inefficient HD-DVR Boxes and contact your provider to request energy star rated HD Set-Top Boxes.​

​This Halloween, and every day, unplug electronics not in use to keep out energy vampires!
To  protect the planet and your wallet against energy vampires contact All In Energy and get a no cost Home Energy Assessment! 
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<![CDATA[Meet our Half Marathon Runners!]]>Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:10:45 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/meet-our-half-marathon-runnersMeet Francesca, Carrie, and Grace who are raising funds for All In Energy by participating in Cambridge's 1/2 marathon! Read below to find out why they're running. 

Francesca Reznik

Francesca has been a member of the All in Energy team since March as the City of Cambridge Program Manager. In 2018, she suffered a devastating nerve injury in her leg. After this long and arduous journey, she is able to challenge herself to a 1/2 marathon! Clean energy is important to her because the climate crisis will hit the most vulnerable first- and All in Energy simultaneously works to make homes more efficient AND make communities more comfortable and climate resilient. "I want to make all the people in my life proud of me -- of my recovery and of the organization I work for."

Donate HERE to support Francesca! 

Carrie Kerstein

Carrie has been friends with Rouwenna Altemose, co-founder, since 2009. Throughout their friendship, she been inspired by Rouwenna's passion and knowledge about addressing the urgent issues of climate change has definitely helped her to be a more responsible global citizen! Carrie is inspired by the work of All in Energy toward including more people and communities in clean energy solutions. Clean energy is important to her because greater accessibility to clean energy can move us one step closer to a safer world. Running has been an exciting new challenge for her during the past few years. She is grateful for this opportunity to train for the Cambridge Half Marathon and support the work important of All in Energy!

Donate HERE to support Carrie!


Grace Umaña

Grace is All In Energy's Field Outreach Manager and Customer Action Coordinator! Having asthma her entire life, she never knew she could learn to love running. Clean energy is important to Grace because when we are energy efficient, nobody loses. Residents save energy and money, companies receive tax credits, the state reaches their goal, and climate change is mitigated. Grace is motivated to participate because at first, she thought to herself, "maybe I can't do this." But then she realized she'd rather complete the race dead last than not run it at all. She learned through preparing for the half-marathon that she has become more tenacious in her goals she wants to accomplish.

​Donate HERE to support Grace!
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<![CDATA[A Warm Welcome to Our Fall 2021 Fellows!]]>Mon, 27 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/a-warm-welcome-to-our-fall-2021-fellowsNew semester = new fellows! Read below to learn about the newest members of our team and what they're looking forward to at All In Energy!​

Lilia Gardner, Finance, Human Resources, & Administration Fellow


​Lilia is a junior at the University of New Hampshire studying International Business and Management with a minor in Spanish. She will be the Finance, Administration, and Human Resources intern for All In Energy through the College for Social Innovation partnership program.
​Lilia is from Durham, New Hampshire, and loves to travel. Her favorite place she has been is Perth, Australia, where she spent six months in 2018. During this internship, she hopes to improve her finance and accounting skills, as well as developing her knowledge of the renewable energy industry to combine skills she learned in school with her passion for climate solutions. 

Cat Bates, Marketing & Communications Fellow


​Cat is currently a senior at the University of Vermont studying Environmental Studies and International Development. She is from Darien, CT. In this role, she assists with the management of All In Energy's social media, blog, and website. Also, she will help to gather and share stories of past All In Energy users. 
Cat enjoys traveling and plans on studying abroad in London next semester. In her free time, she loves to play guitar, read, and cook. 
Through this internship, she hopes to gain professional experience in the renewable energy sector. She plans on having a future career in conservation and environmental health management. 


Genesis Hernandez, Bilingual Communications & Marketing Fellow


​Genesis is a visual art student at Bunker Hill Community College. She immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2011 to get a better education. She arrived without knowing the language or culture, but that was not a barrier for her and her dreams.
Genesis last semester at Bunker Hill Community College will be in Spring 2022. Genesis likes to travel and also get pictures of where she goes. During this internship, she wants to learn about marketing as well as how to help the community.

Diego Mansilla, Database Development Fellow


​Diego Mansilla was born and raised in Guatemala. He is a junior at Boston University pursuing a BSBA in Information Systems and minoring in Sustainable Energy.
Diego strongly believes that the future of our planet relies on the consequences of our actions to address environmental, economic, and social challenges. He seeks to remedy the mismanagement and inefficiency of Latin America’s agricultural sector by discerning and inciting conversation on how countries can adopt the sustainable model to efficiently employ their natural resources without abusing their renewability.
In his free time, Diego plays volleyball, bikes, and trains for triathlons. Additionally, he volunteers as a WOOFER where he has lived with a Native American community in Colorado as well as learned about sustainable farming practices. He dreams of working in the coffee industry due to how coffee relates to his passion as well as his identity.

Aliyah Villa, Neighborhood Outreach Fellow


Aliyah was born in Lawrence, MA,  but her family immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. She is currently a Freshman at her local college, Northern Essex Community College. Aliyah is majoring in nursing and hopes to one day become a traveling nurse to be able to follow her career dreams while also traveling around the world. A fun fact about her is that she enjoys reading and tends to reread her childhood favorites. 
Aliyah will be a part of the neighborhood outreach team and will be working directly with residents to help them receive benefits from the Mass Save Program. She is excited to be able to be a part of a team that can serve residents directly. 


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<![CDATA[Farewell Fellows of Summer 2021!]]>Tue, 14 Sep 2021 17:16:29 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/farewell-fellows-of-summer-2021It has been a pleasure working with our Summer 2021 fellows. Read below to learn about their experience at All In Energy and their future endeavors!

Julio Cordero, Communications and Marketing Fellow

After receiving his Associate Degree in Business from Bunker Hill Community College in the Spring of 2021, Julio relocated to Miami to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Florida International University. All In Energy was his first experience working in the clean energy field, which he enjoyed and learned a lot from it. 
 
Julio’s role at All In Energy was as a Marketing Intern. He was working on projects related to the promotion, awareness, and engagement of the organization with the public. Among Julio’s tasks, the highlights included the creation of informative graphics for social media, which helped him develop a great skill on graphics design. He also learned how to use specific softwares to update the company’s website. Lastly, he was in charge of managing social media accounts such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to make weekly posts and create engagement with All In Energy’s followers.
 
Julio is thrilled and grateful for his great experiences at All In Energy. He fulfilled his learning goals as a member of the team. Besides learning about marketing tools, marketing activities and work ethics, Julio also learned about how the clean energy industry works and how helpful it is for people and for the environment. 
 
Thanks to his great experiences, connections, and projects from All In Energy, he hopes he will be considered for other work opportunities in Florida, Massachusetts, within the USA or even internationally. He hopes to keep learning and improving more every day. 

Eric Ayvazian, Finance, Human Resources, & Administration Fellow

Eric was a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire majoring in business analytics during his time at All In Energy. This was his first real internship experience, as well as his first look into the clean energy industry. In his role as a finance, human resources, and administration intern, he primarily assisted management with tasks related to the financial operations of the organization. Some of his primary tasks included running payroll, invoicing, and assisting in the development of financial, accounting policies, and procedures handbooks. 

Eric is grateful for the opportunities that have opened up for him since interning with All In Energy, as he learned valuable lessons about financial and accounting procedures. He focused on translating his newfound skills into his everyday life, something he thinks he has succeeded with. Eric would like to attend graduate school once he finishes his undergraduate degree. He hopes to stay in the clean energy industry once he graduates, as he enjoys working in an industry that makes meaningful, significant change within so many communities.

Alec MacKay, Neighborhood Outreach Fellow

Alec Mackay is a student at Merrimack College. All In Energy was his first time working in the clean energy industry. He was a part of the outreach team with Luis Navarro, Angelica Rodriguez, and Grace Umaña. The main goal was to help families and communities receive the benefits of the Mass Save program through different events and canvasing to help connect them. To Alex, this was a great experience because he learned so much about the clean energy industry and also practiced his direct marketing skills. The most important part to him was that he was helping underserved families get the benefits they deserve. He would like to keep working for a clean energy industry.

Overall, Alex had a great time working for All In Energy this summer and he’s very grateful for the opportunity to work for their team. 


Pranit Chand, Data Analyst Fellow

Pranit is a student at Emerson College and has a Self-Designed Interdisciplinary major in Data Science and Economics. This was his first internship as well as first time working in the clean energy field. 

Pranit was a Data Analysis intern at All in Energy. He worked under the direct supervision of Jimmy Hikmatullah, the Operations and Data Coordinator. He worked on managing the salesforce database and created marketing tactics in different languages. He was also responsible for making choropleth maps for various cities which were used to show the impact of All In Energy’s work done there. He negotiated and contacted the vendors to get a new canvassing software implemented for All in Energy. After that, he worked on creating the Salesforce database for one of the contractors. 

Pranit learned a lot during his time here at All in Energy. He was able to apply things he learned in the classroom and use it in a practical way which would be beneficial for the entire community. He was also able to learn more about Salesforce and use various tools built into it such as reports. 

Right now, Pranit is focused on getting his academics done. Next summer, he will be looking at internships in the clean energy sector.


Angelica Rodriguez, Neighborhood Outreach Fellow


​Angelica attends Boston University studying a double major in Sociology and Economics and a minor in International Relations. This was her first time working in the clean energy field. 
Her role at All In Energy was being a Neighborhood Outreach Representative where she served the Chelsea community and helped connect residents to the MassSave Program. Her main project was scheduling home energy assessments for residents in the Chelsea area and constantly discovering new ways of approaching more people.

She discovered a new terrain regarding renewable energy and ways to help find solutions for people who want to have a collective greener future. Not only has she expanded her knowledge regarding clean energy, but she felt she has been completely pushed out of her comfort zone and discovered her persuasion skills to a whole other level. Her skills have improved significantly and through this type of role and she exceeded her own expectations. This internship has given her a jumpstart for her career because of the professional skills she learned.

Angelica is staying for the Fall semester because she feels that the tight knit community All In Energy offers is warm and homey. She roots for the nonprofit and everyone working for it to keep growing and to keep incentivizing people to act to a greener future. She hopes to come back again for the Summer as well to keep growing her role and figuring out more ways to grow as a professional. 

​​​Luis Navarro, Neighborhood Outreach Fellow


​Luis Navarro is a student at Suffolk University and majors in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. He had his first internship experience at All In Energy and now he is working as a full time staff.

 
His position at All In Energy was the Neighborhood Outreach Team Lead for the division in the Merrimack Valley. He was in charge of preparing training materials as well as training canvassers and events staff. He also worked at community events and canvassed in Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, Chelsea, and Dorchester. 
 
Luis learned the importance of interacting directly with the community to break down barriers and bring direct support to the residents that need support the most. Luis believes this experience builds character and determination and this has given him the drive to succeed and to connect with the communities. He hopes to continue working with All In Energy to bring the services to communities first hand. Eventually, he hopes to pursue running for local or state office.

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<![CDATA[Stay cool in record-setting extreme heat]]>Mon, 23 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/stay-cool-in-record-setting-extreme-heatThis summer has broken temperature records across New England. June 2021 was the hottest on record in Boston and the second hottest on record in Worcester. In Boston, June had 9 days over 90 degrees and on June 30th, the temperature was over 100 degrees. The last time temperatures were this high in June was in 1952.  New England is one of the fastest warming regions in the country, due to human-caused climate change, with average temperatures increasing about 2 degrees from 1895-2011. (1)
In 2021, NOAA updated its New Climate Normals. (Courtesy NOAA)

Why does this matter?

Extreme heat can be dangerous, even deadly. Extreme heat is defined as a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat, your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.

Extreme heat events can trigger a variety of heat stress conditions, such as heat stroke. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related disorder. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. Body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body cannot cool down. This condition can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. 


​Higher temperatures and respiratory problems are also linked. One reason is because higher temperatures contribute to the build-up of harmful air pollutants.

Extreme heat events result in increased hospital admissions for heat- related illness, such as heat stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. In fact, extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.​ 


Not all populations are impacted equally. Small children, the elderly, and certain other groups including people with chronic diseases, low-income populations, and outdoor workers have higher risk for heat-related illness. 

How can you stay cool and safe during extreme heat?

There are many ways you can stay cool and safe during a heat wave: stay inside during the hottest part of the day, stay in shady areas when possible, turn on fans or air conditioning inside, drink lots of water (see below for more ideas). 

One additional way you might not have thought of to keep your your home cool during waves of extreme heat is by getting a no-cost Home Energy Assessment, which will help you take energy-saving measures that will help you stay cool during the heat and will help you save money on your bills. 

When you sign up for a no-cost Home Energy Assessment, you may be eligible to receive many benefits such as:
  • Improved insulation, which keeps the cool air inside your home for longer and the hot air outside, keeping you cooler while also reducing wasted energy.
  • Rebates for energy efficient air conditioners and cooling systems. If you qualify as low income, you may even be able to get a no-cost window air conditioner replacement through your local Community Action Program agency.
  • LED lightbulbs to replace old incandescent (until the end of the year), which reduce energy use. LEDs also put off less heat than incandescent bulbs, keeping your rooms cooler when the lights are on.

We can help you sign up for a no-cost Home Energy Assessment today, whether you rent or own your home/unit! Our mission is to help residents save energy and money, while making communities more sustainable and fighting climate change.

Need more tips to stay cool?

We are partnering with Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Groundwork Lawrence, the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and the Barr Foundation to help residents stay cool. Here are more ways to stay cool and be part of the movement to address extreme heat: 

Live in Lawrence or Haverhill?

We are partnered with Groundwork Lawrence to help residents access free trees to increase the urban tree canopy. Trees provide shade, keeping a community cooler in the summer. Trees also block the wind in the winter, helping keep communities warmer in the cold season! Find out if you are eligible for a free tree from our partners at Groundwork Lawrence. 

Live in Boston? 

Our partners at Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation are collecting surveys from the community to understand how residents deal with extreme heat. This will help them understand what support might be needed in the future. Join the movement and fill out the survey to bring more resources to protect your community from extreme heat!

CSNDC EXTREME HEAT SURVEY

No matter where you live...

We want to help you stay cool! Check out the tips below to stay safe in the heat:

 Need more resources to stay cool in the extreme heat? Have ideas to share?

Follow us on social media for more tips and details about how a Home Energy Assessment can help you stay cool. Or, if you have ideas for other resources we should share, contact us at info@allinenergy.org. We'd love to hear from you!
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<![CDATA[Welcome Summer 2021 Fellows]]>Tue, 01 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/welcome-summer-2021-fellowsAll In Energy is glad to introduce our new talented interns, who will be working with us through the summer! We are committed to diversifying the energy workforce and creating spaces that allow young talent to start their career in the energy field. Learn more about them below!

Julio Cordero, Communications and Marketing Fellow
Julio Cordero is originally from Venezuela. He graduated with High Honors and as a member of the Alpha Kappa Mu Honors Society from Bunker Hill Community College in 2021, receiving an Associate Degree in Arts, focused in Business. He speaks both English and Spanish. 

He is currently working as an intern in the Marketing department at All In Energy, working on the creation of social media content, flyers, social graphics, updating the organization’s website and helping other members of the team translate content from English to Spanish and vice versa. 

Other outstanding experiences of Julio are his great customer service skills, which he learned from his job at TJMAXX; his participation in the HOPE initiative at Bunker Hill Community College using his presence as an activist to provide help to Black and Latino male college folks. Ultimately, Julio as a hobby, has been producing music as an independent artist since the beginning of 2021, releasing 3 songs, which are available on all music platforms.

Pranit Chand, Data Analyst Fellow
Pranit is an international student from Nepal, the land of Mount Everest and Lord Buddha. After being in the US for about two years now, Pranit hopes to work in the Data Science sector and also has entrepreneurial spirits. 

He previously attended Marlboro College and presently goes to Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He is currently majoring in Data Science and Economics with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies. This summer, Pranit is focused on developing All In Energy's database system and learning to better structure the data flow, including the use of various programs in order to accomplish that. He enjoys working for the community and has been involved with various organizations related to it in the past.

Considering himself a staunch advocate for student rights, Pranit is the Vice President of Student Government at Emerson College. He also enjoys traveling, biking, and hiking in the woods. In his free time, he enjoys making video games as a hobby. A big follower of Steve Jobs, his goal in life is to literally "put a dent in the universe." 

Luis Navarro, Neighborhood Outreach Fellow
Luis attends Suffolk University, and he is a second-semester senior whose major is Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. He was born in Venezuela but currently lives in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He is interning in the Neighborhood Outreach program at All In Energy.

A fun fact about him is that he owns 9 instruments including, 4 guitars, two keyboards, a harmonica, a cajon drum, and a melodica (blowing keyboard).

From the internship, he hopes to learn how a nonprofit organization is managed, and how there can be a positive change to communities through nonprofits. He also wants to build on his organizational skills to improve his professional capabilities. He has a great resume full of different experiences including extracurricular activities where he has been a leader. At North Shore Community College, he was president of the Music Club, Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association, Vice president of the Multicultural Society and the First Generation Club. At Suffolk University he is the president of Suffolk University Football Club, and also president of the Suffolk University Musician's Network. ​


Alec Mackay, Neighborhood Outreach Fellow
Alec is a senior at Merrimack College. He will be graduating in May of 2022 with a B.A. in Economics and a Minor in Finance. He is from Bogota Colombia and came to the U.S in August of 2018 in order to study and play tennis. He is a member and captain of the Merrimack Men’s Tennis team. He will be working this summer as a Neighborhood Outreach Representative helping to connect residents in different cities of Massachusetts with statewide programs that are going to help them to reduce their energy consumption and save money. 

He is very excited to work for a non-profit organization such as All In Energy that is going to show him a wider view of how non-profit organizations work and how the clean energy industry is progressing in the U.S, especially in Massachusetts. He is also very happy that his work is going to help the people that need it the most.

Angelica Rodriguez, Neighborhood Outreach Fellow
Angelica was born and raised in Honduras. She is a junior from Boston University doing a double major of Sociology and Economics and a minor in International Relations.
 
She will be working as a neighborhood outreach representative at All In Energy this summer having real in person interactions, while staying COVID-19 safe and bringing awareness about the benefits of the program to others. 
She’s excited about growing her communication skills and meeting new people. She is grateful for this internship because it gives an opportunity to grow her passion of creating a positive impact for the environment (the main reason she is vegetarian). She loves what All In Energy's mission and values are and is excited to be part of such an amazing tight knit family that helps the communities who are unaware of the energy programs offered in the state. She hopes to learn and spread awareness regarding energy programs from which people can take full advantage of.
 
A fun fact about Angelica is that she loves to spend her time baking and trying plant-based recipes since she is passionate about the environment. She loves to help others and is interested in pursuing a career in the legal field, where she can advocate for environmental and human rights. She is weirdly obsessed with peanut M&Ms (she has a complete collection of random M&M merch). 
 
Other work experiences she has had is working as an intern in the Supreme Court of Justice in Honduras.
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<![CDATA[Unraveling Energy Insecurity In the Home]]>Thu, 27 May 2021 04:00:00 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/unraveling-energy-insecurity-in-the-homeBy Litzy Gastelum Arguelles, Marketing Intern Summer 2020 & Spring 2021
     Patriotism and pride emblazoned the streets of Boston when I first moved to the city of champions. The streets were a kaleidoscope of blue, white, and red as people made their way to a nearby bar or their neighbor’s house to watch a Patriots football game. At first, I didn’t know that this was not an anomaly, New England pride is vibrant and present in the everyday lives of Bostonians. As a marketing intern at All In Energy, I learned that it even existed within energy efficiency conversations. “Massachusetts is proud to be recognized as leading the nation in energy efficiency for the ninth year in a row, and reflects the state’s efforts to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while saving residents and business money on their energy bills,” Governor Charlie Baker stated in 2019Unfortunately, while there is a constant effort by community organizations like All In Energy and Massachusetts state legislators to promote energy efficiency, there continue to be disparities in the energy sector that affect minority communities’ wellbeing. 
     Energy insecurity is more complex than the economics behind it. In technical terms, energy insecurity in a household results when the money spent on fuel and electricity is greater than 10% of a household’s income. The financial burden of energy-related costs on a low-income family is one dimension associated with energy insecurity. Late payments on utility bills reflect financial hardship but can also be linked to billing issues, landlord improprieties, and seasonal variations as well as building-level inefficiencies that increased costs. When families fall behind on their utility bills, oftentimes they stay in a constant cycle of playing catch-up because they try to prioritize more important necessities. This within the industry is considered the “heat or eat” dilemma where low-income constituents are made to decide between food and energy, often sacrificing one for the other. 
    Some may argue that income assistance helps outset energy costs and solves the issue of energy insecurity. However, this is not the case. On average, it's reported that monthly bills can be between $100 and 300 dollars, with considerable variations by season and housing type. To put this economic burden in perspective, according to Massachusetts State guidelines in 2012 a household of four receiving public assistance would net $691 in cash assistance, a portion of which would need to be allocated to utility expenses. At $200 per month, utility bills would represent nearly thirty percent of this assistance, and therefore a significant and likely unaffordable expense. This would also render those at the federal poverty line ($23,050 for a family of four in 2012) as energy insecure using the 10 percent threshold. 
This issue is emphasized in energy insecurity disparities when looking at it through race across the commonwealth. A recent study found that the efficiency programs successfully reduced energy consumption statewide between 2013 and 2015, but the demographic analysis found that communities with the lowest participation in Mass Save have, on average, proportionally higher percentages of renters, low- and moderate-income people, and households with English as a second language. Whilst having more energy expenditures and less reach in Massachusetts’ nationally recognized programs, energy insecurity is still a possibility for many underrepresented groups.
    This has become more relevant due to COVID-19. Unemployment and reduced working hours due to the pandemic are statistically associated with all forms of energy insecurity. According to a study done by the peer reviewed scientific journal Nature Energy, there are short-term and long solutions available to address these issues. Additional assistance programs, extensions of state-level protections, and the establishment of a national moratorium on electricity disconnections would prevent household energy insecurity through the duration of the pandemic. In the long term, potential government interventions might include investments in energy efficiency programs to help households afford energy. All In Energy working with Mass Save’s program is an example of an energy efficiency program that is pushing to address disparities in low-income and minority communities. Through community outreach programs, we are supporting immigrant and low-income families access energy efficiency programs by signing up for no-cost home energy assessment which opens the door to access incentives and benefits to reduce the costs of energy and use their saving for their needs. The World Health Organization (2006) affirms that “energy is essential to meeting our basic needs: cooking, boiling water, lighting, and heating. It is also a prerequisite for the good health-a reality that has been largely ignored by the world community.” Therefore, it is the responsibility of the commonwealth to determine holistic solutions to address energy disparities and further increase research in this field. All In Energy is proud to be part of that equation in bettering the lives of communities in the commonwealth and reducing energy insecurity. 

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<![CDATA[Welcome Spring 2021 Fellows]]>Fri, 19 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://allinenergy.org/blog/welcome-spring-2021-fellowsAll In Energy is glad to introduce our new talented interns, who will be working with us through the spring season! We are committed to diversifying the energy workforce and creating spaces that allow young talent to start their career in the energy field. Learn more about them below!

Litzy Gastelum, Bilingual Communications and Marketing Fellow
Litzy is a junior studying Film and Media and Environmental Studies at Tufts where she is learning various approaches on how to market sustainable products and increase their reach through media. At All In Energy she works as a Bilingual Communications and Marketing Intern, a position she previously held in Summer 2020. In this role, she assists with content creation and management of all social media platforms and the organization's website. Also, she supports the organization with day-to-day tasks such as projects that require translation. Litzy is still exploring what she wants to pursue after she graduates but she is grateful for the opportunity to work at All In Energy again.

When Litzy is not working or studying, you can find her exploring Boston thrift stores or drinking an evening cafecito at home. She embraces her Mexican roots and is proud to be an immigrant. ​

Jean Gouvea, Customer Action Coordinator
Jean is originally from the megalopolis of São Paulo, Brazil. He has a background in technology and education, and he is currently pursuing a degree in Visual Media Arts at Bunker Hill Community College.

A cause which he cares for is the preservation of the environment and sustainable living. The internship at All In Energy allows him to directly work with Massachusetts residents to improve their living conditions by making their homes more energy-efficient.

​Jean spends his free time making music and other types of art and enjoys being around nature. 

Eric Ayvazian, Finance, Human Resources & Administration Fellow
Eric is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire from Wilmington, Massachusetts majoring in business analytics.  At All In Energy he works as a Finance, Human Resources, and Administration Fellow. In this role he assists managing tasks related to the financial operations of the organization. 

Eric enjoys working with a non-profit and hopes to work with one again once he graduates. He is grateful for the opportunities that have opened up for him since interning with All In Energy. 

He really focused on trying to translate his newfound skills into his everyday life this semester, something he thinks he has succeeded with. He hopes once he graduates, he will be able to go back to the social sector, as the work seems more rewarding to him.

Joe Cormier, Customer Action Fellow
Joe is from Concord, MA. He is a senior at UMASS Amherst and he is studying Statistics and Data Science.

Joe is happy to be going to school in Massachusetts. He is interning through the College of Social Innovation's  Semester in the City program. 

​His favorite food is gnocchis and red sauce. Something he hopes to learn is what it feels like being in a team environment working on real projects with real consequences.
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