Our Story is Your Story
Who We Are
Rise South City is committed to creating dialogues with our frontline communities about climate change & social equity issues and to learn about the different intersectional systems that underpin it and help develop local solutions for transformational reform. We promote community resilience, economic equity, and climate stability.
Our Goals
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We aim to reduce total regional greenhouse gas emissions and pollution to increase equity by correcting racial, social inequities, and prioritizing communities with the most need.
Climate Resilience through Community
Many community groups and leaders are left out of regional collaboratives due to lack of resources and/or capacity. Rise South City empowers local community leaders and members to execute projects and make a lasting impact.
At Rise South City, our work is grounded in the Principles of Environmental Justice and the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. We are committed to protecting people, communities, and the environment; advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice; fostering shared leadership and accountability; and promoting collaboration, self-determination, and sustainable practices that create a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Our Values
Vivir Bien
Everyone has the right to live well with access to basic needs and a healthy environment, without harming others in the process.
Self-Determination
Everyone deserves a voice in decisions affecting their lives, with frontline communities leading the solutions that impact them most.
Equitable Redistribution
Build equitable systems that serve everyone by addressing and transforming historic and ongoing social injustices.
False Solutions
Frontline communities recognize that some profit-driven climate strategies are “false solutions” that risk worsening both environmental and economic crises rather than solving them.
Meet the Team
Rise South City is built of a team of staff and volunteers from the Bay Area committed to our community.
Executive Director
Julio Garcia
Julio Garcia has been a true champion and an environmental justice leader for the Latinx community in San Mateo County and throughout the Bay Area for the past 23 years.
Program Director
Francesca Pedraza
Francesca Pedraza is the Program Director of Rise South City. She became involved in the nonprofit sector in 1993 and work has always consisted in advocacy, teaching, outreach and enrichment for communities.
Air Quality Coordinator
Amelia Stonkus
Amelia Stonkus is the Air Quality Coordinator at Rise South City. Amelia is passionate about advancing air quality research and strengthening climate resilience through the integration of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Air Quality Coordinator
Linda Vera
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Air Quality Coordinator
Margaux Farmer
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