Partnerships for Climate Justice in the Bay Area Fellowship 2024: Developing Climate Resilience with South San Francisco Communities

Overview

Creating local transformation, from the community, with the community and for the community!

Rise South City is a community-based organization in South San Francisco, committed to promoting community and climate resilience, environmental justice, and economic equity. We create dialogues with our frontline communities about climate change and social equity issues 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.

Rise South City is focused on clean community energy, regional food systems, zero waste, efficient, affordable, and lasting housing, public transportation, and ecosystem restoration solutions. Shared leadership fosters community wellbeing and results in the most innovative solutions to our climate and social crisis. Frontline communities must be at the forefront of shaping new economies and a new climate adaptive society rooted in fairness, equity, and ecological values.

About the Fellowship

The summer fellow would play a vital role in establishing key organizational functions, outreach and communications, as well as contribute to critical projects. Areas of focus will be adjusted based on a student’s interests/background. We are looking for someone who has experience in and is passionate about: engaging with social justice and equity; having a critical and intersectional lens to view sustainability issues and solutions; the ability to compile and disseminate information in an engaging and meaningful way; and a broad understanding of environmentalism and sustainability topics.

Project tasks may include:

Assistance with the organization’s operation (logistics, short and long-term planning):

• Help identify potential funding sources and assist with grant writing and innovative nonprofit organizational sustainability options.

• Create essential documentation/tools for future onboarding interns, including a basic description, history, list of useful websites, contacts' info, etc.

• Help update the website's information to current and active projects and areas RISE is working on. 

Improving outreach and communication with the community:

• Assist in creating and implementing an effective social media outreach plan.

• Develop strategies to help residents to stay connected and well communicated, particularly during climate-related events, but also for civic engagement and participation.

• Logistics of mailing materials and possibilities of starting a community-wide newsletter that is easily updatable with relevant news/ads for residents.

Contribute to current projects (depending upon current needs and student background/interests):

Current priorities:

• Assist with our Air Quality campaign in South San Francisco (SSF). 

• Create materials related to air quality and health.

• Assist in the development of the SSF Climate Change Community team.

• Support with sea level rise adaptation efforts

• Elevate communities to lead in adaptation to sea level through community outreach. 

Future Projects (where a fellow might contribute if interested):

• Promotion of Zero Net energy consumption in SSF.

• Create a long-term regional vision rooted in communities, bay habitats, and the economy.

• Improve how communities and public agencies learn from each other and work together.

• Broaden public understanding of climate change science and impacts.

• Outreach support and community education for the Colma Creek and San Bruno Creek Adaptation projects.

Through this summer fellowship, students will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced staff in a grassroots, community-focused organization bringing attention to the needs of South San Francisco residents. Students will build meaningful relationships, interact with diverse communities, develop their oral and written communication skills, and understand what climate-focused community education looks like on the ground. We are open to working with students to develop a set of projects that suit their interests and skill sets. 

Preferred qualifications:

• A passion to advance equity and environmental justice and a commitment to working with marginalized, communities and people of color to ensure good health and environmental equality

• Past experience working with community based organizations, and an interest in being part of launching a new, grassroots nonprofit organization

• Experience and interest in communications and community outreach

• Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required 

Stipend

Undergraduate Cardinal Quarter Fellows receive a base stipend of $6,500 (+$500 cost of living adjustment for the Bay Area) to support living expenses during the fellowship. Financial aid and supplemental funding may be available to students who qualify (learn more here). 

Students in a 2-year Masters program will receive a stipend of $8,500. Students who have begun their coterm programs (i.e., students who are paying for graduate tuition) will also receive a stipend of $8,500.