The Lime Foundation’s NextGen Trades Graduates Build Brighter Futures

Rosa Dominguez once doubted she belonged in the male-dominated trades. Bu on Saturday night, standing before 61 graduates of the NextGen Trades Academy, she told them — and herself — that she absolutely does.

The 25-year-old was selected as keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony in Rohnert Park, where the class of 2025 celebrated with a dinner, career fair and emotional sendoff. The academy, a program of the nonprofit Lime Foundation, prepares young people for careers in fields like construction, plumbing and solar installation.

Dominguez, a 2024 graduate of the program, now works as a solar installer at SolarCraft, a North Bay solar energy provider. She credits the academy with helping her find direction and the confidence to pursue work she once thought wasn’t for her.

“With this program, they uplifted me,” she said. “They really guided me. It is not like I just came through the program and graduated. They took their time and really communicated with me. That’s what I love about it.”

Dominguez grew up surrounded by boy cousins who worked with their hands — in concrete, construction and tree trimming. She’d join them, often choosing to play with cars over dolls. Now, she’s the first woman in her family to pursue a trade career.

The program’s founder, Letitia Hanke, knows the challenges Dominguez faced. A longtime roofer and CEO of Alternative Roofing Solutions, Hanke launched the academy in 2017 to give young people — especially those with marginalized backgrounds — an alternative to college. She has spoken openly about her own experiences with racism and sexism in the trades.

Many of the graduates come from low-income households or immigrant and single-parent families, said Rohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giudice, who also gave a keynote speech.

“You have all navigated diversity in a society that has no clue how to care or help you thrive,” Giudice told the graduates. “In the face of all of that, you have chosen to rewrite your stories and build a brighter future with your own two hands.”

After speeches and dinner, the graduates walked onstage to receive their plaques and hard hats. Families cheered. Cameras flashed. The celebration marked the beginning of what, for many, will be life-changing careers.

“You have shown up week after week with determination, curiosity and with the desire to create something better,” Giudice said. “You got it done. Not only for yourself, but you did this for your families and for our community.”

Contact Staff Writer Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or anna.armstrong@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @annavarmstrongg.

Rosa Dominguez once doubted she belonged in the male-dominated trades. Bu on Saturday night, standing before 61 graduates of the NextGen Trades Academy, she told them — and herself — that she absolutely does.

The 25-year-old was selected as keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony in Rohnert Park, where the class of 2025 celebrated with a dinner, career fair and emotional sendoff. The academy, a program of the nonprofit Lime Foundation, prepares young people for careers in fields like construction, plumbing and solar installation.

Dominguez, a 2024 graduate of the program, now works as a solar installer at SolarCraft, a North Bay solar energy provider. She credits the academy with helping her find direction and the confidence to pursue work she once thought wasn’t for her.

“With this program, they uplifted me,” she said. “They really guided me. It is not like I just came through the program and graduated. They took their time and really communicated with me. That’s what I love about it.”

Dominguez grew up surrounded by boy cousins who worked with their hands — in concrete, construction and tree trimming. She’d join them, often choosing to play with cars over dolls. Now, she’s the first woman in her family to pursue a trade career.

The program’s founder, Letitia Hanke, knows the challenges Dominguez faced. A longtime roofer and CEO of Alternative Roofing Solutions, Hanke launched the academy in 2017 to give young people — especially those with marginalized backgrounds — an alternative to college. She has spoken openly about her own experiences with racism and sexism in the trades.

Many of the graduates come from low-income households or immigrant and single-parent families, said Rohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giudice, who also gave a keynote speech.

“You have all navigated diversity in a society that has no clue how to care or help you thrive,” Giudice told the graduates. “In the face of all of that, you have chosen to rewrite your stories and build a brighter future with your own two hands.”

After speeches and dinner, the graduates walked onstage to receive their plaques and hard hats. Families cheered. Cameras flashed. The celebration marked the beginning of what, for many, will be life-changing careers.

“You have shown up week after week with determination, curiosity and with the desire to create something better,” Giudice said. “You got it done. Not only for yourself, but you did this for your families and for our community.”