Our Parent Company
Rubicon Programs: Equipping People to Break the Cycle of Poverty
Since 1973, Rubicon Programs has helped East Bay residents build steady income, lasting financial stability and healthier lives. Rubicon Programs owns Rubicon Landscape Group, and our profits go to fund that work.
Vision and Mission
An East Bay Without Poverty
"To transform East Bay communities by equipping people to break the cycle of poverty through direct service and collaborative systems change."
What began in 1973 as a small community organization offering mental health counseling in Richmond has grown into a multi-county effort to end poverty, built in partnership with the neighbors it serves, community organizations, local government agencies and generous donors. In 2023, Rubicon Programs celebrated 50 years of inspiring hope in the East Bay.
Justice
The promise of fairness, equality and opportunity for all people, and a commitment to dismantling institutional racism and the cycle of poverty.
Hope
Optimism that fuels creative solutions and a belief in participants, staff and community.
Humility
Listening to participants, the community and one another, and acting boldly even when it means taking risks.
What Rubicon Programs Does
Four Areas of Lasting Stability
Rubicon Programs builds capacity in four connected areas, so people can move forward on every front at once.
Income
Job training and certifications, on-the-job training, transitional jobs, resume and interview coaching, and recruitment events with employers.
Assets
Financial coaching, banking access, credit building and repair, budgeting and saving support, and free tax services.
Wellness
Counseling and support groups, connections to recovery and behavioral health care, healthy living classes, and rides to health and dental appointments.
Community Connections
Family and parenting coaching, housing assistance referrals, legal services through partners, and a community that stays in people's corner.
Where Rubicon Programs Works
Centers Across the East Bay
Rubicon Programs serves residents through centers and partnerships in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
Rubicon Richmond
Comprehensive programs for justice-impacted residents and parents in Contra Costa County.
Reentry Success Center, Richmond
Free, connected services for justice-impacted people and their families, all in one place.
Concord AJCC
An America's Job Center of California offering career coaching, training and employment help.
Eden Area AJCC
Career services for job seekers in Alameda County.
Rubicon Concord and Rubicon Antioch
Program sites serving central and eastern Contra Costa County.
Reentry and Alameda County Programs
The Center of Reentry Excellence and community-based programs in Alameda County.
How Rubicon Landscape Group Fits In
One Organization, Two Ways to Help
Rubicon Programs started its landscape business to help fund its mission. It owns Rubicon Landscape Group today, and our profits go to fund the programs on this page. Our crews are also part of the mission: the work itself is job training.
Professional Landscape Work
- Commercial, public and federal grounds held to the same standard as any contractor
- 30+ years, three C-27 licenses and ReScape Qualified Professionals since 2008
- Real jobs and training on active sites across the Bay Area
A Mission Funded by That Work
- Profits fund job training, reentry, financial and wellness programs
- Program participants gain paid experience on our crews
- Graduates build careers across the landscape industry
Programs We Run Together
Where Landscape Work Becomes Opportunity
Treasure Island Landscape Training
For nearly three decades, our Treasure Island crews have created entry-level jobs for San Francisco residents through One Treasure Island referrals. More than 80 people have joined the crews. Some have been promoted to supervisor, and others have moved on to work for San Francisco Recreation and Parks and the San Francisco Conservation Corps.
A six-month traineeship covers irrigation, pesticide safety, equipment, native plant identification and life skills, with OSHA 10 and ReScape training available.
Beautify Richmond
An 18-week paid landscape training program for justice-impacted Richmond residents, built with the City of Richmond and the Reentry Success Center. Sixteen residents enrolled in the first cohort, and participants train beside our crews at sites like the Richmond Civic Center, where graduates have been hired.
Careers Grown From the Ground Up
Many of the people who lead our crews today started as laborers, trainees or job placement hires. We promote from within and support certifications such as QWEL, ReScape and the Qualified Applicator License, so a first job becomes a lasting career.
"Now I see Rubicon as my second home." Jaime Hernandez, Crew Leader
In Their Words
Voices From Rubicon Programs
"I feel more confident. I'm getting over the anxiety of the job search, thanks to Rubicon."Marthe, Rubicon Programs participant
"At Rubicon they accept you for who you are and encourage you."Joseph, Rubicon Programs participant
"Rubicon taught me to smash my fixed mindset and adopt a growth mindset. Now, I know things don't have to stay the same."John and Sieur, Rubicon Programs participants
Wherever We Can Help
Whenever Rubicon Programs Needs Us, We Are There
Funding the mission is the start. Rubicon Landscape Group also shows up in every other way we can.
Profits Fund the Mission
What our contracts earn goes to fund Rubicon Programs' services.
Paid Training on Real Sites
Program participants learn the trade on active commercial and public grounds.
Hiring Program Graduates
Beautify Richmond graduates have been hired at sites like the Richmond Civic Center, and we promote from within.
Community Partnerships
We work with partners like One Treasure Island and the City of Richmond, and supported One Treasure Island as a Gold Sponsor of its 2023 Gala.
Get Involved
Two Ways to Support the Mission
Give directly to Rubicon Programs, or choose Rubicon Landscape Group for your property. Either way, you invest in East Bay neighbors building brighter futures.