Students build EV chargers, gain skills for green jobs

For years, the South Sacramento Christian Center has been a community hub – feeding people in need, running violence prevention programs, and even renovating a rec center.

Now they’ve helped make their neighborhood electric-car-friendly.

South Sacramento does not have many electric vehicle chargers, and that can discourage people from switching to an EV.

But last year, the church worked with a green jobs training program to give students from underserved areas a chance to build two EV chargers in the church parking lot.

Les Simmons is the pastor.

Simmons: “We are, at the core of our faith, called to be stewards of this Earth. … And part of being a good steward is climate justice.”

This program was supported by federal and foundation funding.

Students were paid for their time and learned skills for potential careers working with electric cars.

Simmons says many people now come to charge up.

Simmons: “We have been really excited about the opportunity to serve our community in this way.”

And he hopes the students continue to believe that they can make a difference in their community.

Simmons: “To see the pride and joy on their faces to say … ‘Look what we were a part of and the skill sets we learned.’ For me, it was deeply rewarding.”

Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media

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by YCC Team, Yale Climate Connections

September 9, 2026