OUR MISSION
Building career pathways for economic equity and climate resilience
OUR HISTORY
Rising Sun is a premier nonprofit organization working at the intersection of economic equity and climate resilience in the California Bay Area and San Joaquin County. 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. Since our founding in 1994, Rising Sun has served more than 3,000 youth and adults while helping over 52,700 households reduce their carbon footprint.
ANNUAL IMPACTS
We operate two impactful programs:
Climate Careers
Since 2000, Climate Careers has trained and employed local youth to provide no-cost energy and water efficiency services and education to Bay Area and San Joaquin County residents. Through this social enterprise model, young leaders gain hands-on work experience, fight climate change, and help community members save resources and money.
Opportunity Build
Opportunity Build is an industry-certified construction training program, providing a path to union apprenticeship in the skilled trades. Through job training, case management, and job placement support, adults who enter the program with barriers to successful employment gain the skills they need to begin high-road careers in the construction industry.
OUR VISION
A just and sustainable future for all people and our planet
OUR VALUES
Equity
We believe that all individuals and communities should have the respect, opportunities, and material resources necessary to thrive; we strive to produce and sustain racial and gender equity in our programs, policies, and organizational culture.
Resilience
We focus on and start with the inherent value and strengths of individuals, communities, and our environment.
Transparency
We communicate openly and authentically, actively seek and incorporate feedback, and build in accountability.
Diversity & Inclusion
We know that diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces are inherently stronger, and that our team and leadership must be both talented and representative of the communities we serve; our commitment to inclusion extends to all aspects of our programs.
Learning
We are a learning organization: we seek to continuously improve, demonstrate agility, and are flexible to meet shifting needs while staying true to our mission.
Appreciation
We foster a culture of gratitude and acknowledgement; we celebrate our personal and professional successes together and work actively to build each other up.