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.

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.

Thursday, Jan 17, 2019

Sew Pieceful in Lewistown, Montana

Lewistown, Montana – In the 30 some years that Tammy Eckhardt worked as a police officer and criminal investigator, it was essential to find solace from the disheartening aspects of her job. She did this by sitting quietly and quilting. And, through the long Montana winters, she was in good company.
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The Story of San Miguel

San Miguel, N. M. – Modest one-story clay homes line the single road that cuts across this community near the U.S. – Mexico border. At first blush, it would seem San Miguel, nestled in the Mesilla Valley, has stood still, or stood the test of time.
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Thursday, Nov 29, 2018

Financial counseling is essential to students with debt

In January, D. Nathan Cieszynski was teaching a course that he knew well and had offered so many times that there should have been few surprises. During his January workshop, however, a young man in the course gave him pause.
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Thursday, Oct 25, 2018

Investment collaborative helps fund Native-owned business

Zuni Indian Reservation, N.M. – Some three decades ago Darrell Tsabetsaye opened a convenience store called Major Market on the Zuni Indian Reservation on the Arizona-northern New Mexico border. Though such stores are fixtures on many street corners, Tsabetsaye’s was neither common nor convenient to establish.
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Thursday, Sep 20, 2018

Operator training and testing collaboration equals an increase in certified staff

Many organizations promote water operator training, assist with operator-in-training or certification, or help those who want to increase their operator certification level. At Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), we believe this is a very important part of our work.
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Success Stories

Sew Pieceful in Lewistown, Montana

The Story of San Miguel

Financial counseling is essential to students with debt

Investment collaborative helps fund Native-owned business

Operator training and testing collaboration equals an increase in certified staff