Reduced pollution. Lower utility bills. Expanded tree canopy. Increased access to healthy food. These and other objectives for South Stockon are being advanced by investments totaling $35 million from California’s Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC). The goal is a healthier, more prosperous community.
Aerial view of Stockton
Credit: Wikipedia / Quintin Soloviev
UCLA’S WORK: DOCUMENTING & LEARNING
The UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation has a front row seat to the work of environmental justice champions. Our team is documenting their groundbreaking climate action in South Stockton thanks to two grants from TCC.
We are collecting and sharing data on measurable accomplishments as well as the stories from residents, business owners, workers, and others who have shaped — or been shaped by TCC.
This website is a hub for us to showcase our work and the progress of Stockton Rising partners. Much can be learned from these efforts and put toward replicating, scaling, and innovating upon the TCC model in other communities.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Stockton is a port city and an agricultural hub with heavy industry and major transportation infrastructure. The city’s diverse population suffers from high levels of pollution exposure, poverty, and unemployment. To serve those most directly harmed by these environmental and economic harms, TCC investment is being concentrated in the city’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods, namely those of Downtown and South Stockton.
ABOUT STOCKTON RISING
Stockton Rising is a coalition of community-based organizations and government agencies that have partnered to advance climate action in South Stockton. Their vision is less pollution, more prosperity for the disadvantaged neighborhoods of South Stockton.
Stockton sits at the intersection of pollution and social injustice. Stockton Rising is investing in environmental equity and the community’s aspirations for prosperous neighborhoods […] Stockton is turning decades worth of pain into purpose. – Stockton Rising Collaborative
Partner Organizations
Projects and Plans
TCC investment in Stockton Rising, totaling $35 million, funds a suite of projects and plans that reduce pollution, offer job training opportunities, and offset energy and transportation costs for low-income households. TCC investment is also complemented by $34 million in leveraged/matching funds. Stockton Rising includes:
3 Transformative plans that promote community engagement, displacement avoidance, and workforce development in South Stockton
3 Projects that make the community greener and more walkable/bikeable
2 Projects that generate renewable energy
2 Projects that reduce energy and water use
2 Projects that reduce residents’ exposure to air pollution
1 Project that improves access to healthy food
Meet a Few Community Leaders
STOCKTON RISING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AS OF JUNE 2024
8,120
boxes of local, organic produce delivered (15 to 20 pounds each)
3,960
linear feet (0.75 street miles) of pedestrian pathways added
2,850
linear feet (0.5 street miles) of Class II bike lanes added
690
households received free energy and/or water efficiency upgrades
577
trees planted
149
individuals received
paid job training
84
systems installed on properties occupied by low-income households
48
youth trained as environmental justice advocates
25
residents hired,
trained, and deployed
as climate leaders
STORIES FROM THE COMMUNITY
The evaluation team at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation has authored a series of profiles on South Stockton residents, workers, and local leaders, who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of TCC investments. Sample stories include:
Karlain Francisco participated in a TCC-funded youth leadership development program led by Little Manila Rising. She believes it taught her research and collaboration skills, and it provided a sense of connection with her hometown.
Link to: Stockton youth learn the ropes of environmental justice advocacy
My goal was to better understand what it means to be an environmental justice advocate and to share that knowledge with my community … Now I feel qualified to teach others what I learned. – KARLAINE FRANCISCO
We are thankful to many partners for making our work in Stockton possible. We are especially grateful to the California Strategic Growth Council for dedicating resources to third-party evaluation of TCC investments. We also owe so much gratitude to the Stockton Rising collaborative for trusting us to help showcase their work and for all of their logistical support along the way.
Top page photo:
Students participating in an educational event in March 2022 at the Edible Schoolyard Community Farm in Stockton
Credit: Erin Scott