South Sacramento Christian Center, a California church known for feeding neighbors, preventing violence, and improving local spaces, has now taken on another role in its community.
As Yale Climate Connections reports, the church is now helping make electric driving more practical in an area with limited charging access.
Here's what to know
Because charging stations are scarce in South Sacramento, residents may be less inclined to buy an electric vehicle.
But now, through a partnership with a green jobs training program, the church has turned this need into EV infrastructure by having students from underserved areas install chargers in its parking lot.
The pastor at the South Sacramento Christian Center, Les Simmons, explained to YCC that "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."
Driving EVs is great for both the climate and public health, as it reduces nearby pollution that contributes to asthma attacks and associated ER visits. Several studies in peer-reviewed journals have found this to be the case.
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Simmons added that having students install the EV chargers has been a wonderful experience, stating, "We have been really excited about the opportunity to serve our community in this way."
The students, who came from nearby underserved areas, were paid for their time while building skills that could support future EV-related careers. As Simmons told YCC, "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."
Federal sources and foundations helped make the program possible.
Where can I learn more?
The Sacramento project reflects two broader trends: bringing EV charging to places that have long lacked it and opening doors to clean-energy jobs. Across the country, schools, churches, companies, and developers are working on both fronts, building the infrastructure and workforce that can make electric transportation more realistic for more communities.
• In Philadelphia, a church launched an innovative community solar project to lower energy burdens.
• At Hope College, students are testing solar-powered curbside chargers that could reshape city charging.
• In Santa Ana, Rove opened a community-focused charging center designed to feel welcoming.
Seen alongside projects like these, the South Sacramento effort looks like part of a much bigger shift. EV charging can bring investment, improve access, and create training opportunities, which helps explain why this church-led project matters beyond one neighborhood.
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