Youth Solar Summer Program 2025
The Cleaning of Detroit is a workforce initiative focused on revitalizing neighborhoods, eliminating environmental hazards, and connecting Detroiters to high-demand jobs in the trades and sustainability fields. With support from multiple community and industry partners, it's a hands-on path to long-term careers. In addition to hands-on work, they’ll contribute to food distributions, engage in community outreach, and build soft skills like teamwork, time management, and neighborhood pride. The youth will also be able to learn and explore new skills in media development/content creation allowing for safe independent growth.
Over the course of 6 weeks, their responsibilities will include growing, watering, weeding, composting, and harvesting fresh produce, as well as helping to design and install solar panels to support our Clean Energy Coalition, Our flagship COD sustainability project. Our youth will be able to experience and assist Detroit’s first off-grid solar fridge, where they grow food to supply the fridge and solar powered eBike Charging station. This six-week experience lays the foundation for future opportunities in green jobs and clean energy careers.
Student Spotlight
DeAngelo Allen
My name is DeAngelo Allen. I am a rising junior at Pershing Highschool. I plan on studying either electrical engineering or kinesiology.
Everything we did in this summer program was relatively new to me, like gardening/dealing with agriculture. Out of all the things we learned this summer, the most impactful for me was the basics of electrician work since I see myself studying that field further and turning it into a career.
Student Spotlight
Wanja Kamau
My name is Wanja Kamau. I graduated from Rochester high-school and attending Michigan State University with a major in Environmental Economics and minor in Education and Behavioral Studies.
This internship helped my career path because I learned about the economics of business management through grants and networking. I also learned more about education through the presentation towards medical students about climate related illnesses. This internship has helped me learn more about how to successfully run a nonprofit and overall community engagement.
Student Spotlight
Deshawn Lee Williams
My name is Deshawn Lee Williams. I am a rising sophomore currently attending UPSM Highschool. Right now, I have an interest in landscaping.
During the summer program with Feed Your Neighborhood, FYN helped me with learning more about my dream career by giving me an opportunity to landscape in the garden and even plan/create a schematic of future projects for the garden.
Student Spotlight
Jaiden Hankins
My name is Jaiden Hankins. I'm going into my junior year of high school and I'm looking at pursuing a career in the engineering field.
Though, I am interested in many types of sciences, mainly chemistry and robotics. Through the summer program Feed Your Neighborhood, I've learned a lot about solar panels and how they work. I can in turn use this knowledge and create a self-sustaining career for myself.
Student Spotlight
Hosn Omar
My name is Hosn Omar. I graduated from Henry Ford Early College in 2024 and am now a senior at Wayne State University, double majoring in Global Supply Chain Management and Technology Information Systems & Analytics.
This summer, I worked with Feed Your Neighborhood (FYN), supporting food distribution for families, managing inventory, coordinating logistics, and communicating with partnering companies. It’s been an exciting and meaningful experience, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.
Student Spotlight
Keyon Wilson-Ollis
My name is Keyon Wilson-Ollis. I graduated from university preparatory academy. I would like to go into the electrician career path.
This program has helped me become a better leader, more skilled with crafty work, and opened my eyes to all the opportunities that's out there for me if I just apply myself and try something new. One of the events we attended was Black Tech Saturday. This was a great environment to be around. The people there were nice, goal oriented, and professional. I enjoyed talking to my peers about what brought them to the event and also sharing why I was at the event. I also did an interview explaining why I was at black tech, the organization I was with, and how I'm helping with the cause.
Student Spotlight
Desiree Zinevich
My name is Desiree Zinevich. In 2024, I started off as a Case Management Intern for FYN. I am a proud graduate of Wayne State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2025. I am currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Wayne State with the goal of becoming a trauma-informed mental health therapist.
My work with Feed Your Neighborhood has played a significant role in shaping that path by deepening my understanding of community needs, strengthening my commitment to accessible, healing-centered care, and providing hands-on experience in community outreach, client advocacy, and resource coordination."
Student Spotlight
Dominic Wilson Jr.
My name is Dominic Wilson Jr. I graduated from Hazel Park High School, I am looking to go into either the carpentry or electrical field.
My time with this program thus far has been great. Opening the horizon to new and different opportunities that weren't there before and I'm looking keep growing as I go farther into this program. Black Tech Saturday was a great experience. It was cool getting to hear people's ideas and the creative minds among every one there.
Student Spotlight
Brian Burns
My name is Brian Burns. I graduated from L’Anse Creuse High School. My career goal is to become a carpenter.
This program helped me in many ways from learning different forms of renewable resume making to understanding how to seek out career, job, and school opportunities. The event we attend, Black Tech Saturdays, is an amazing experience. It’s a space filled with hardworking people coming together to share new ideas, collaborate on business opportunities, and exchange knowledge about both current and future projects.
Student Spotlight
Xavier Muli
My name is Xavier Muli. I am a rising senior at Turner Fenton Secondary School. I am currently interested in pursuing a career in law, specifically with the goal of attending university of toronto law school.
The Feed Your Neighborhood program helped me see firsthand how grassroots efforts can strengthen communities and create real change. Working on the Grow House project taught me the value of collaboration, and using local resources to solve larger issues like food insecurity and natural disaster preparedness. It was inspiring to be part of something that combined community building with hands-on action.
Student Spotlight
Kristin Ray-Farley
My name is Kristin Ray-Farley, I graduated Cass Tech in 2024 and currently a rising sophomore at Michigan State University.
I am studying Animal Science and my dream career is become a Vet Technician. Feed Your Neighborhood has helped me by giving me the opportunity to reach out to our community for pet support. Giving our community's fur babies the supplies they need in case of disasters.
Student Spotlight
Christian Ray-Farley
My name is Christian Ray-Farley, I graduated Cass Tech in 2024 and currently a rising sophomore at Michigan State University.
I am studying Computer Engineering and this is the career I want to pursue. Feed Your Neighborhood has helped me get closer to this by teaching me more about electrical engineering and providing me with a scholarship to stay in school!
Student Spotlight
Antoine Bradley II
My name is Antoine Bradley II, I graduated University Preparatory Art & Design Academy in 2024 and I’m currently attending Lansing Community College.
I want to go into the IT industry and this program has helped me by teaching me about the field and giving me experience in tech support and troubleshooting.