Success Stories Archive

RCAC’s programs and services deliver solutions to complex community needs. Our local presence allows us to develop partnerships with communities to identify needs, set goals, and select the best options to meet those goals. RCAC and our partners provide the tools to create change and growth, but the communities chart their own course. Collaboration, plus community effort will equal community change. How can we help you?

Decent housing, safe drinking water, education, financing, jobs, community facilities, leadership, families are the many facets to RCAC's work.

RCAC expands the knowledge base of the rural public through education and training. Our training expertise is in technical, financial, and administrative issues that affect rural communities. We take great pride in our professional trainer team's capacity and effectiveness. Our trainers maximize audience participation to keep trainings relevant and memorable.

RCAC's news and publications are a compilation of timely news, announcements and accomplishments produced for the rural development world.

High unemployment rates, sub-standard housing and poverty are commonplace in low-income rural communities. Many of these communities also face daunting challenges to access safe, clean drinking water and to develop other vital infrastructure. These issues are often overlooked in policy because rural communities lack the resources, training or social networks that are found in urban areas. Learn how you can advocate for the under-served population in the West.

Founded in 1978, RCAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals. For more than 35 years, our dedicated staff and active board, coupled with our key values: leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality and integrity, have helped effect positive change in rural communities across the West. Learn more about who we are and how we operate.

Success Stories

Success stories are a compilation of staff written success stories and case studies that highlight our impact in rural communities.

Friday, Apr 20, 2018

BRE helps Hatch launch farmers, artisans market

Hatch, New Mexico – While driving across southern New Mexico, you could easily believe you were traversing the moon. Despite Interstate 25 that bisects the state from north to south, the desert landscape appears mostly untouched and unpeopled. Some gas stations still maintain pumps with antiquated rotating meters. For long stretches, other cars are few and far between.
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Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018

Housing counseling helps build financial stability

Erin and Sally Simpson*, like so many of us, were hearing wise advice from every corner, from television pundits to radio personalities to lifestyle magazines: eat well, avoid fast food, stay healthy. Late last year however, they noticed that their household budget was taking a hit. The Simpsons had hoped to buy a house but discovered that they didn’t have enough savings. They were baffled. They did not feel financially strapped. But they were also unable to save in general.
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Thursday, Mar 15, 2018

The Kiyunas

Keola and Rena Kiyuna came to the Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) in 2003 after seeing an ad in the paper for an upcoming project. At that time, Rena learned that a co-worker had built her home through HICDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s self-help program, and she was intrigued.
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Monday, Jan 22, 2018

Building a sense of community in Kunia Village

Kunia, Hawaii – Gov. David Ige can recall spending youthful summers working at the cannery near the once sprawling Del Monte pineapple plantation in Kunia on the island of Oahu. The school bus he rode every day passed Kunia, and when he and his classmates saw a flashing yellow light there, they knew they were close to home. At one time, the plantation employed hundreds of workers.
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Wednesday, Dec 13, 2017

Housing participants move into new Hyrum homes

HYRUM – After nearly 25,000 hours of blood, sweat and tears, 10 families slept in their new Hyrum homes on Thursday night after celebrating the completion of the city’s first mutual self-help housing community. Neighborhood Housing Solutions just opened up 10 glistening homes with varying styles
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Success Stories

BRE helps Hatch launch farmers, artisans market

Housing counseling helps build financial stability

The Kiyunas

Building a sense of community in Kunia Village

Housing participants move into new Hyrum homes