We’re deeply rooted at the intersection of equity, climate, and good, sustainable careers

In 1994, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity began as Rising Sun Energy Center in Santa Cruz, California. Much has changed as we’ve adapted and innovated to respond to the needs of our participants and communities, but today, we remain rooted in our origins, preparing people throughout the Bay Area and San Joaquin County who have been locked out of prosperity for good jobs and green pathways that offer economic equity and mobility while building a climate-resilient future for all.

Our Mission

Building career pathways for economic equity and climate resilience.

Our Vision

A just and sustainable future for all people and our planet.

What We Value

We’re different—learn how:

To achieve our mission and vision, we operate two main programs

Climate Careers and Opportunity Build are our flagship initiatives. Since 1994, we’ve trained over 3,000 youth and adults while helping more than 60,000 households reduce their carbon footprint. We’ve also become a model for what holistic, high-road workforce development looks like. Our graduates are building our region’s climate infrastructure and diversifying the energy space.
Climate Careers and Opportunity Build are our flagship initiatives. Since 1994, we’ve trained over 3,000 youth and adults while helping more than 60,000 households reduce their carbon footprint. We’ve also become a model for what holistic, high-road workforce development looks like. Our graduates are building our region’s climate infrastructure and diversifying the energy space.

Learn more about what we do:

Our Advocacy

The Bay Area Residential Decarbonization High Road Training Partnership

We believe that green jobs should be good jobs. A rising floor in industries like residential decarbonization means more, better-paying opportunities for Rising Sun’s program graduates to build their careers, their communities, and a sustainable future.

Our Impact

Explore our 30th Anniversary Report

Learn more about our history, what we do, and where we’re going from program graduates, staff, and past leaders.

Our Team

Meet the people who make our work possible

Our staff, Board, and Advisory Council are the backbone of Rising Sun, and we’re committed to developing and maintaining internal advancement opportunities. Ten (and counting!) staff members are program alumni. Two Board members are program alumni—and one is former staff.