Green Tech

Green Tech Education and Employment was found in 2009 by Simeon Gant, to provide technical and vocational opportunities to underserved youth. Gant's vision was to prepare these youth for gainful employment in both traditional trades and emerging green industries. Green Tech's students, or ambassadors are often hailing from marginalized backgrounds and face a host of challenges such as difficulty finding high-paying employment in combination with higher rates of obesity, asthma, trauma, and psychological stress. Since its inception, Green Tech's programs have been framed around life skills training and education to increase confidence, work ethic, soft skills, and other resume-building activities with the goal of launching students into an employable workforce within the green economic sector.

In 2013, both houses of the California Legislature recognized Green Tech for its culturally responsive youth development programs. In 2014, the Environmental Council of Sacramento honored Green Tech as the Nonprofit Environmentalist of the Year. Additionally, Green Tech has trained over 200 youth in building solar-powered lighting systems, being introduced to basic electrical circuitry and solar technology.These systems were delivered to orphanages and clinics in Haiti. In 2015, Green Tech staff, consultants and youth built a 1,000 square foot greenhouse and an innovative aquaponics system to raise fish and grow fresh vegetables. In 2016, Green Tech acquired the property where the greenhouse is located and established its first urban farm site. The same year, Green Tech students succeeded in the following ways: graduating five from high school, entering three into college, and securing six participants gainful employment. In the spring of 2017, Green Tech helped establish the True Beginnings Community Orchard and Grove, planting over 60 trees in Del Paso Heights. This fall Green Tech established the Suga' Cane Community Garden in Del Paso Heights at the North Sacramento training facility as well.