Latest news with #Caselli
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Making a difference through mentoring
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Eighth grader Angel Moreno and his mentor, Garth Caselli, meet once a week at Patrick Henry Middle School. The two were playing kings in a corner during a recent afternoon at school. Recycling in SF just got a whole lot easier 'When we first started I was horrible at it. I had no idea what I was doing on there. And then he showed me how to play and I'm better than him at it now,' Moreno said. That competitiveness is something these two have in common. It's one of the reasons they were matched with each other by the school-based mentoring program TeamMates of South Dakota. Caselli decided to get into youth mentorship after retirement. 'I had retired from a career where I'd had a lot of opportunity to teach and train and help develop people and I just really had a passion for doing something in the community civically,' Caselli said. He's been mentoring Moreno for a few years. 'It's very fun. It's one of the things I look forward to at school because I don't look forward to school that much,' Moreno said. More people like Caselli are needed to answer the call for mentors. 'We find that we have a lot of folks who are a little nervous about mentoring and just not sure that they would be a good fit, but truly, with our program, is just showing up to be present for a child,' TeamMates of South Dakota State Director Jess Karim said. TeamMates of South Dakota serves several communities including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Pierre. Right now, the organization has a list of kids waiting for a mentor. 'A lot of our students in the schools that we serve see their friends have mentors that come into the building and share a lunch with them and see they have just another caring adult to talk with,' Karim said. Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, who currently mentors several young men, has advocated for mentorship during his time in office. 'You have statistical information that will say that kids who have mentors in their lives are less likely to commit crimes, they're more likely to graduate, they're more likely to have jobs while in high school,' TenHaken said. The mentees aren't the only ones who may benefit from mentoring. 'I learn so much about myself when I pour into someone else,' TenHaken said. 'If it's tugging at your heartstrings give it a try because it is so simple to make a difference and we need more people that will step up and just give it a try. Everyone I know that has done it has received the same thing I've received and it's well worth the effort,' Caselli said. While Moreno has picked up some card game skills from Caselli, he's also benefited from mentorship in other ways. 'In sixth grade, I used to be a little angry bird. I'd very lash out at people. He showed me there's a bright side to everything. It's not always like you have to lash out at people over things. You can talk it through, not freak out, tell an adult about it. I'd say he's very much helped me with that,' Moreno said. Moreno will move on to high school next fall, and his mentor will be there. Click the links below for more mentoring resources: LSS Sioux 52 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa residents can save big on solar with new group purchasing program
The Brief The cost of solar energy is coming down in Tampa. That is partly because of the city's new program to offer group pricing on solar energy. Group pricing allows residents to buy solar in bulk, bringing down the upfront cost of solar installation. TAMPA, Fla. - Solar energy is becoming more affordable for Tampa residents thanks to a new program offering group pricing on solar panels. As the city continues to push for sustainable energy solutions, the initiative aims to make going solar more accessible while helping homeowners save on electricity costs. PREVIOUS: Tampa business goes solar with more 450 panels; a new trend of the Sunshine State "This is a group purchasing model, so you can go in and buy solar in bulk," said Kayla Caselli, who is part of the City of Tampa's sustainability team. "Kind of like going to Costco instead of going to a single grocery market, like Publix." Why you should care For many, the high upfront cost of solar panels has been a barrier, with some installations costing tens of thousands of dollars. PREVIOUS: Sunshine state sees a solar surge, ranking second nationwide However, the city's collaboration with Solar United Neighbors allows Tampa residents to receive a discounted rate by purchasing solar panels as part of a larger group. The city hopes this will result in significant energy savings, potentially slashing electricity costs by 25% over 10 to 15 years. "Solar is a great opportunity to save money on your electricity bill," Caselli added. "On average, our electric utility rate goes up by about 3% in Florida. This program gives residents control over their utility bills. It's an option worth considering." Dig deeper This is the third year the city has offered this group pricing initiative. The deadline to sign up for the program is May 28. Interested residents can register here. The Source FOX 13's Evyn Moon collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS LIVE: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
