Rising Sun Center for Opportunity is a California nonprofit deeply rooted at the intersection of equity, climate, and good, sustainable careers. Rising Sun’s Climate Careers program was built by and for young Californians. It has a 26-year record of success, employing over 2,000 youth to help more than 62,000 homes save money and energy via Climate Careers Green House Calls. The organization, headquartered in Oakland, has maintained a permanent office in Stockton since 2014.

Making energy efficiency easy for homeowners and renters

Energy efficiency is a key strategy in California’s efforts to achieve critical climate goals, but many low-income and rural utility customers lack equitable access to cost-reducing programs. With the support of Transformative Climate Communities and, since 2025, the Central California Rural Regional Energy Network (CCR REN), Rising Sun offers free, personalized energy efficiency upgrades and information via Climate Careers Green House Calls. During each Green House Call, a team of trained youth Energy Specialists connects with a home in their own community to install LED light bulbs, power strips, water-saving devices, weather stripping, and more while offering education and tools to further trim monthly bills. 

Outreach is targeted to hard-to-reach populations disproportionately burdened by pollution, allowing Rising Sun to serve those with the highest energy burden. Since 2020, Climate Careers has offered both in-person and remote Green House Call services, removing a further barrier to participation.

In San Joaquin County, demand for the service remains high, with over 1,145 interested residences logged in 2025. Of those, 402 have been served to date. Rising energy costs and the effects of extreme heat have made Central California a priority as the program grows. The average energy burden in the CCR REN region, for example, is 54% higher than in the rest of California. 

By 2027, Climate Careers will expand into 13 new counties in the San Joaquin Valley, Monterey Bay Area, and Eastern Sierra. Rising Sun anticipates establishing a staffed, year-round work location in Fresno within the next three years to further support rural presence and access as service expands to the full CCR REN region. Seasonal hiring will increase with service expansion, with over 100 hires projected by 2027. 

Empowering local youth

When clients receive a Green House Call, they not only receive a complimentary home assessment and upgrade—they also support the clean workforce development necessary to equitably improve job quality and climate resilience. Climate Careers youth Energy Specialists gain mentorship and professional development that prepare them to join local organizations as paid externs and to pursue sustainable jobs. 

Six 2024 youth externs received job offers from their host organizations and, according to data from the California Employment Development Department, employment rates continue to rise for Climate Careers graduates for the one to three years measured post program, with earnings increasing accordingly. Data also suggests that the program makes a long-term economic difference.

To connect with Climate Careers in Central California and learn more about how Rising Sun can support your community, reach out to Darren Kumar at: kumar@risingsunopp.org