Access to
learning
success
a career
a voice
a future
shouldn’t be a privilege

We’re building career pathways for economic equity and climate resilience in the California Bay Area and San Joaquin County.

Programs

With offices in Oakland and Stockton, our workforce development programs specialize in preparing youth, women, and individuals in reentry for high-road careers and green pathways that offer family-sustaining wages.
A Women Building the Bay student practices with a power saw at Rising Sun's Oakland headquarters

Opportunity Build

Adult Construction Career Training

As a certified Apprenticeship Readiness Program for careers in the union construction trades, Opportunity Build teaches you skills employers need. The program begins with 10-12 weeks of hands-on training at our Oakland facility and offers 12 months of one-on-one job placement and retention support.

Climate Careers

Youth Jobs to Help the Climate

Since 2000, Climate Careers has operated as a highly innovative youth empowerment program, addressing climate change by employing youth to provide energy efficiency services to nearly 60,000 Northern California households. We train and employ Bay Area and San Joaquin youth to conduct Green House Calls in their home communities and help them explore careers in green industries.

Green House Calls

Energy and Water Efficiency Support for Homeowners and Renters

Our Climate Careers program provides energy and water efficiency services, called Green House Calls, to households throughout the Greater Bay Area and City of Stockton. Take part in an in-person or virtual Green House Call by completing our 15-minute online survey to determine your personalized efficiency needs.

Impact

Since our founding in 1994, Rising Sun has operated as a direct service organization supporting people and communities. Today, that includes addressing the systems of inequity that make our work necessary. Our policy efforts drive positive change at the intersection of equity, climate, and jobs, confronting the root causes of poverty in our region.

3,000+

youths and adults served

59,913

homes made more climate resilient and efficient

22

partners convened as members of a High Road Training Partnership

1

collective vision of a just and sustainable future for all people and our planet

Why does climate change hit marginalized communities harder?

What alumni are saying

Going in, I was a bit nervous, but I was provided with so much support. I learned the complexity of grant writing and all that goes into it. I did research for future funding opportunities and joined meetings to get a feel for a professional environment. Throughout my time with Rising Sun, they did more than enough to make sure that I was exposed to multiple career paths.

Leilani Vasquez

2021 Climate Careers Energy Assistant and Rising Sun Development Extern

I want to be able to help my family with projects. I hope that as I learn more about working with my hands and especially if I get into welding…I want to be able to say that I left my mark on this city.

Morgan Carroll

2021 Opportunity Build Graduate

Rising Sun has been integral in my coming-of-age transition into adulthood. The education I received in my very first job as an Energy Specialist fundamentally shaped my understanding of energy conservation and environmental justice. I look forward to supporting Rising Sun in deepening its impact on the livelihoods and well-being of those most vulnerable to systemic racism in the green sector.

Delrisha White

Board Member and Climate Careers Alum