Great job by our team today testifying in favor of a California state fund to build the capacity of CDFIs! Support SB 625, help build local communities!
@GavinNewsom
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott invests $20 million in RCAC to leverage and advance RCAC’s work in Indigenous and rural communities across the rural West - RCAC
This is huge news for Arvin. Our team has worked with the community for more than five years and we recognize the hard work and dedication it took to get to this day! Congrats all.
State Water Board and USEPA announce that city of Arvin's water system has returned to compliance w/arsenic safety standard! State Water Board provided approx. $20 million for drilling, construction & development of 5 new wells to help meet standard.
RCAC’s Rural Development Specialist Jason Carman shows off
#RuralLife
with a photo of fresh snow in the Grande Ronde Valley in rural northeastern Oregon, where he grew up.
On International Women’s Day, we envision world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, a world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
#BreakTheBias
The
#OneWaterSummit2022
begins today! RCAC’s Community & Environmental Services Director
@AriNeumann
will be speaking at the summit and discussing how small systems can contribute to the
#NetZero
goals for the US water sector envisioned by the
@USWaterAlliance
Imagination Team.
FY2021 highlights! RCAC processed and closed a record 284 loans and 15 household well and septic grants, and closed 209 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. FY21 loans closed incl. 20 Re-Emerging Loan Fund (RELieF) loans.
#RuralMatters
#CDFIs
Our board and staff were thrilled to present awards to three extraordinary people during a virtual ceremony yesterday. From left, Peg Smith (Yoneo Ono Award), Ariana Tibon (William French Award on behalf of her late grandfather, Amon Tibon) and Paul Boyer (William French Award).
#whereswally
He's visiting Union Station today, on his way to join his colleagues who are visiting with Senators and Congressional Representatives this week.
#RCAPOnTheHill
All RCAC services are available to Indigenous communities located throughout our 13-state service area, and partnerships with Indigenous communities are prioritized. RCAC also has programs and funding designed specifically for Tribes.
With more than 130 staff who work in 13 western states, we don't often get to be in the same room together. So it was a full house today during the all staff meeting.
#OfficeWeek
#celebrating40years
RCAC receives a $1.25 million HUD Rural Capacity Building grant to support affordable housing and economic development in rural and Indigenous communities in the West - RCAC
“Everything Else: Stories of Rural America” showcases real people, not projects, who speak about their experiences living in rural America, both positive and negative. Follow our social media accounts to catch the link -
#EverythingElse
goes live on Tuesday, 11/16.
@PfRTorg
RCAC's Community & Environmental Services Assistant Director Stevan Palmer found a temporary office at Longworth House Office Building to catch up on work in between visits!
#RCAPOnTheHill
#RuralMatters
#WaterWednesday
Happy
#InternationalDayofRuralWomen
! Today, we would like to show our appreciation for a few of the amazing, hardworking women at RCAC who serve on our Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team. RCAC’s work with rural and Indigenous communities could not be done without them.
Today is Imagine a Day Without Water! In 2019, the US Water Alliance and DigDeep identified that there are two million Americans who lack access to adequate drinking water and sanitation, with BIPOC and/or low-income communities being the most affected.
Today is
#WorldWaterDay
! This year, the focus is GROUNDWATER. Did you know that groundwater accounts for nearly all of the liquid freshwater in the world? Click here to learn more about the impact of sustainable groundwater:
“The cultures are different, but the experiences are similar,” said Brett Gleitsmann, a water supply and sanitation engineer with the Rural Community Assistance Corp.
#WomensHistoryMonth
Fannie Lou Hamer was an American voting and women's rights activist, community organizer, and a leader in the civil rights movement. She was the co-founder and vice-chair of the Freedom Democratic Party. Learn more at
We were pleased to participate in the roundtable discussions leading up to the release of this critical report. Find it at the link below.
#WaterWednesday
For too many people it's not imagination, it's reality. Our dedicated staff works in 13 western states and Pacific Islands to help communities access safe water.
#ValueWater
#Agua4All
#RuralMatters
Happy
#WaterWednesday
! Wally the Water Droplet recently spent some time near Shasta Dam in Northern California as he was on his way to assist the
#Agua4All
team with well assessments for the Household and Small Water System Drought Assistance Program.
#WheresWally
People in rural communities are more likely to advance shared prosperity when they and others throughout their regions collaborate on common goals. We advance further together than we do alone.
#investinrural
#commdev
#inclusivegrowth
Thank you
@SenatorWarnock
and
@SenTinaSmith
for supporting investments in rural communities as Congress works to pass the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. Zip codes should not determine access to quality infrastructure, facilities and economic opportunity.
During our 2018
#OfficeWeek
all staff conference, we said farewell and thank you to our staff who will retire this year including George Schlender, director, Community & Environmental Services.
This
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
, learn how treaties and acts have eroded Native peoples’ claims to their ancestral homelands. Today’s bureaucracy around tribal trust lands continues to alienate Indigenous people from owning homes and building generational wealth. 1/2
"There is never consideration for how to get dollars into these most vulnerable communities.”... We've committed $3m to this emergency facility with
@RCACorg
to get PPP $ into persistent poverty areas. We need more and fast. Who will join us?
This week at our annual conference and in-service meetings, RCAC celebrates 40 years serving western rural communities. As an organization we've had 2 visionary CEOs. Bill French, (left) who was the founding CEO, and Stan Keasling our current CEO.
#OfficeWeek
#celebrating40years
We are encouraged to see the
#BuildBackBetter
Framework support rural and Tribal communities through investments in water, wastewater, affordable housing and a proposed Rural Partnership Program. Read our statement here:
“Organizations like the Rural Community Assistance Corporation, which is a nonprofit organization based in West Sacramento, provides training and technical assistance to tribal and rural communities across California and 13 other western states." 1/4
We also bade farewell to Lee Schegg, RDS, engineer (pictured) Billie Heath, housing program coordinator; Cyndy Elliot, loan officer, Judy Monteux, RDS financial management, Harold Branch, RDS housing and Judy Hunter, housing counseling manager.
#rural
Last week RCAC and Liquid IV visited Palermo Middle School and saw the exciting impacts of a grant funded by the Chris Long Foundation, including numerous water fountains and bottle fillers installed on campus and Nalgene water bottles for students.
#WaterWednesday
#Agua4All
Many thanks to our community partners for their efforts and energy in supporting We Lift: the Coachella Valley Housing Catalyst Fund.
This week, we announced that the fund's first products will support the creation of 350 affordable units!
Did you know? April is Fair
#Housing
Month. This year is the 53rd anniversary of the
#FairHousingAct
, which prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and family status. Learn more at
It’s time to
#ShapeYourFuture
, Respond now to the
#2020Census
! Ways to respond include online, by phone, or if applicable via the paper questionnaire with unique ID that was mailed or sent to your home.
RCAC's Amber Guerra testified at the Assembly budget committee hearing today. Thanks
@AsmRichardBloom
for highlighting the continuing need for emergency drinking water funds in the
#CAbudget
#Agua4All
We'.re pleased to share a new training video created with funding from
@usdaRD
- Solid Waste. It took teamwork and creative thinking to develop the video with everyone working remotely!
@RCAPInc
It's encouraging to see stars like
@Trevornoah
and
@TheDailyShow
call attention to our nation's aging water infrastructure. Nonprofit orgs like RCAC and many others make tremendous impact with technical assistance to small rural and Tribal water systems.
#WaterWednesday
Like so many of us, the
#Agua4All
team is working from home these days. This week they are creating a handout for students who will not be able to access the program's education presentation while under stay-at-home orders. Learn more:
In this issue of Network News:
@WellsFargo
funding ensures Hawaii families receive essential housing counseling services; RCAC Loan Fund lends more than $8 million to rural communities; Looking for a new and exciting career path? and more! Read it here:
It’s important for entrepreneurs to have a voice in policy discussions that affect the communities they live and work in. Read about the work we're doing with our Rebuilding Better
@KauffmanFDN
grant!
RCAC is pleased to see overwhelming bipartisan support for the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.
#Water
#infrastructure
is critical to ensure vibrant, healthy, enduring communities in the rural West.
#RuralMatters
#Agua4All
Thank you
@SenAlexPadilla
for listening to rural and tribal communities in California and highlighting their critical need for water and wastewater infrastructure investments!
#RuralMatters
4/4
Do you have proofreading and editing skills? Do you enjoy working in a team environment and want to help rural communities thrive? RCAC has an editorial assistant job for you!
Major investments in affordable housing are needed. The $150B+ proposed for affordable housing in
#BuildBackBetter
is monumental! When enacted, it will aid in energy-efficient & climate-resilience homes, rural housing & more.
We’re proud to announce the launch of Partners for Rural Transformation’s new website! The Partners: a coalition of 15 orgs dedicated to eliminating persistent poverty, advancing prosperity & economic justice in U.S. rural communities
#RuralMatters
1/4
Water is a foundational element for prosperity-Anne Hazlett, Assistant to the Secretary
@usdaRD
speaking at the round table on improving
#water
,
#sanitation
in
#rural
CA communities.
@RCAPInc
Our Loan Fund is a financial resource for rural communities. We offer affordable housing development, environmental infrastructure, community facility and small business
#loans
. RCAC is a certified
#CDFI
w/ Aeris rating of 4 Stars AA plus Policy Plus.
Small community
#water
systems in the U.S. provide a vital resource, yet they often lack financial reserves and are frequently overlooked in state and federal stimulus and aid packages. Learn how financial support could bolster their
#resilience
:
RCAC Rural Development Specialist Jason Carman shares a photo of a finished water storage tank that escaped the flames of the 2020 wildfires in the Santiam Canyon, Oregon.
#RuralLife
Happy Alaska Native/Native American Heritage Month! As we celebrate Indigenous communities and their rich culture, traditions and histories, we are also eager to continue our work w/ Indigenous communities and reiterate our support for Tribal self-determination and self-reliance.
Our team is excited to participate in
@RCAPInc
virtual D.C. Fly-in this week to visit with legislators and share stories like this one, about our work with Paradise Community Village in California.
#RCAPonthehill
#RuralMatters
Thank you
#CASenate
for investing in the
#HumanRightToWater
in the Senate's Budget Proposal! In particular, we appreciate and thank the Senate for their leadership for the historic $1.5 billion proposed investment for safe drinking water, including:
@GavinNewsom
@CAgovernor
Did you know? Tap water costs much less than packaged beverages. Drinking safe tap water instead of one bottled beverage per day can save up to $350 per year. That's why it's so important for children and families to have access to safe drinking water!
#WaterWednesday
#Agua4All
Happy
#EarthDay
! We are commited to environmental justice and our
#rural
communities, for whom climate change adaptation is vital, and ensuring the preservation of our shared ecosystem. Learn more:
RCAC Disaster Recovery Services Program Manager Alan Nazzaro shares a photo of houses under construction in Paradise, CA by Habitat for Humanity of Butte County. The houses will have concrete exterior walls, roofs with ember-proof vents and attic sprinkler systems.
#RuralLife
Thank you
@LorenaAD80
for championing funding for safe water in CA schools in the state budget. Children learn better when they're hydrated and all children deserve access to safe water!
We need Community Reinvestment Act requirements to support serving rural banking deserts, particularly in persistent poverty counties:
New effort focused on financial issues facing rural communities -- via
@CFPB
It’s
#WaterWednesday
! Tomorrow is Imagine a Day Without Water, a day to acknowledge the importance of water in our everyday lives to and urge everyone to take action toward ensuring a future where everyone has guaranteed access to safe, reliable drinking water and sanitation.