Photo by Nancy Royden. Michael Morgan of Capitol Heights shows a tool box with several implements he was given after graduating Dec. 14 from the United Communities Against Poverty Inc.’s Green Industry Certification Program. Eighteen local people graduated during the ceremony at Prince George’s Community College in Largo.

Published on: Tuesday, December 22, 2009

By Nancy Royden

Eighteen local residents took steps to improve their lives when they graduated Dec. 14 from the United Communities Against Poverty Inc.’s Green Industry Certification Program.

The ceremony was held at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, with several business and community leaders who spoke to the graduates. According to UCAP, it is the only program of this type in the county.

“The Green Industry Certification Program is dedicated to the development of ‘green jobs’ that will focus on the economy and the environment. These jobs will include all types of jobs that will improve environmental quality,” according to UCAP.

One of the graduates, Michael Morgan of Capitol Heights, had a job interview lined up and set for three days after the ceremony. He said the training has not only given him knowledge, but contacts for networking.

“To me, I think the contacts I got was one of the biggest things out of it,” he said.

Morgan said UCAP employees have also helped him set up other job interviews, and he would eventually like to work his way into construction management.

Morgan said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System now certify him – two desirable traits to have when job hunting.

The other graduates include Benjamin Barber, James Barnes, Dennis Bell, Nigel Condell, Damon Countee, John Davis, Jesse Epps, Reiz George, Kent Guthrie, Gerald Hatchett, Anthony Herald, Kevin McGriff, Jermain Miles, Norman Owens, Sean Robinson, Stephon Whitmore and Maurice Williams.

Remarks during the ceremony were given by Patricia Thornton, vice chairperson of UCAP, Linda Sorrento, director of education partnerships, U.S. Green Building Council; Jerome T. Countee Jr., director of the Center for Business and Industry Training of Prince George’ s Community College; Thomas Barrett, director of the Joint School of Carpentry; and Arthur A. Turner Jr., chairperson of UCAP.

Jacquelyn Moore, Tracey Rosa-Pinero and Norma Williams presented certificates.

Established in 1964, UCAP was designated as the official Community Action Agency for Prince George’s County in 1978. It is a nonprofit organization and advocates for communities of people with deficiencies in education, affordable housing, economic stability and adequate health care access, according to the group’s Web site.

“Through UCAP’s rigid outlay of programs, the residents, including individuals and families, of the county are able to achieve stabilization and become self-sufficient members of the greater community,” according to the organization.

UCAP assists people with emergency food and shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, job training, mortgage and rental assistance, computer classes and other services.

Employees at UCAP are positive about the future of “green jobs,” and seek to use them as conduits to give graduates better lives.

“These jobs will include all types of jobs that will improve environmental quality. A new, multi-billion dollar economic sector is emerging, bringing new opportunities in Green construction, clean technology, urban agriculture and energy. Our goal: ensure that this Green economy is strong enough to lift people out of poverty,” according to the organization.