Offered in partnership with Yuba City Unified School District, Marysville Joint Unified School District, and local First 5 Children and Families Commissions, the Academy provides a series of free, research-based workshops designed to help parents become their child’s first teacher. Courtesy photo

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) – Skylight Renewable Energy has awarded $7,500 through its third-quarter Community Giving Program to support two nonprofits providing essential services in Sutter County and the surrounding regions. Funding will contribute to sustaining hunger-relief operations and help families and individuals experiencing homelessness move toward stability.

The Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way received $5,000 for their United Way Born Learning Academy. The academy uses proven tips, tools and resources to help families of children 0-5 use everyday moments as learning opportunities. The materials presented help parents promote school readiness and literacy, providing for better lives and raising children out of cyclical poverty. Over 180 parents in Sutter County completed the academy since 2022.

“The parents who join our Born Learning Academy are deeply committed to giving their children a better future. We’re proud to support them with practical tools, in multiple languages, so they can become their child’s first and most important teacher,” said Sarah Kotko, President of the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way. “This grant helps ensure families in need have access to this unique program that helps fill a gap. These classes offer early learning support that families just don’t get elsewhere.”

The Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way’s Born Learning Academy empowers low-income families with young children to support early learning at home. Courtesy photo

Hands of Hope was awarded $2,500 to support its mission of providing housing and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The grant will be used to purchase supplies for clients at day centers, where individuals can access basic resources while working toward long-term housing and stability.

“For people experiencing homelessness, even basic supplies like hygiene items, clean clothing or a safe place to rest can provide stability and dignity,” said Alex Bumpus, Board President at Hands of Hope. “This support will help us meet immediate needs while guiding individuals and families toward long-term housing and independence.”

“These grants support efforts that make a direct difference for local families by ensuring access to meals, providing stability for people experiencing homelessness, and strengthening the overall health of the community,” said Peter Stockus, Community Affairs Manager at Skylight Renewable Energy. “As a good neighbor, Skylight Renewable Energy is committed to investing in programs that improve daily life and build a stronger future for the people who live here.”

The Skylight Renewable Energy project is a proposed 100-megawatt solar and 100-megawatt-hour battery energy storage facility in Sutter County. The project is designed to deliver renewable, reliable energy while preserving the agricultural character of the land. The project’s Community Giving Program provides funding for local nonprofits, schools and community initiatives that align with its mission to create long-term economic and environmental benefits.

The Skylight Renewable Energy Community Giving Program is open to organizations working to positively impact the Sutter County area. The next round of applications can be submitted by visiting skylightrenewableenergy.com/community-giving-application. The deadline is Nov. 15.