West Sacramento, Calif. —Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) received a $50,000 grant this week from Wells Fargo to support RCAC’s California initiatives.
The funds will be used to support three important programs: Agua4All, water quality regionalization in Tulare County and the Virtual Counselor Network (VCN).
Agua4All is an innovative program that aims to increase access to and consumption of safe drinking water in California, starting in South Kern County and Eastern Coachella Valley, where contaminated water and aging utility systems are commonplace. RCAC is installing water bottle filling stations and water treatment where necessary throughout these underserved rural communities.
In Alpaugh and Allensworth, two small communities in Tulare County, the water systems have been out of state and federal compliance since the Arsenic Rule went into effect in 2001. RCAC assists local leaders to work collaboratively to form a partnership to increase economies of scale and work together to assure a long-term water quality solution for both communities.
The VCN is a unique program that provides underserved communities with access to a wide range of housing counseling services via the Internet. RCAC and Housing Opportunities Collaborative (HOC) are working to launch a collaborative of counseling and other housing agencies to serve multiple San Joaquin Valley locations.
“We are grateful for this funding and consider Wells Fargo a valuable partner in our efforts to create more sustainable, vibrant communities in the West. These programs help ensure access to safe drinking water and provide services to improve rural and low-income residents’ lives,” said Stan Keasling, RCAC’s chief executive officer.
RCAC is a nonprofit organization that provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals and visions. Headquartered in West Sacramento, California, RCAC serves rural communities in the western United States and the Pacific islands. RCAC has strong core services and expertise in housing, environmental infrastructure (water, wastewater and solid waste), leadership training, economic development and financing.
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Contact
Dawn Van Dyke RCAC Communications Mgr.
916-539-6696
dvandyke@rcac.org
