About Us

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Our Vision

Rural Community Alliance members have a vision for just and thriving rural communities that offer access to an excellent education, economic opportunity, and rewarding quality of life to all residents.

Our Mission

The mission of Rural Community Alliance is to empower rural communities to effect change by creating opportunities in education, economic development, and youth empowerment to improve quality of life and place.
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Our Theory of Change

RCA members believe change happens through informed and organized residents defining the change they want, building collective power, and taking action to improve their lives. We work to bring about change in communities with a process that starts with assessment and visioning, then strategic planning and implementation–all led and controlled by the grassroots. RCA staff supports community members with information, resources, and training.

<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer="">CHAPTERS

<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer=""> WHERE WE Are

Rural Community Alliance operates across all regions of the state, focusing on initiatives to revitalize communities, support public schools, foster regional collaboration, and advance RCA’s statewide policy work.

– Ashley
– Boone
– Calhoun
– Clark
– Columbia
– Crittenden
– Lafayette

– Lee
– Lonoke
– Marion
– Miller
– Monroe
– Newton
– Ouachita

– Perry
– Phillips
– Pike
– Saline
– Searcy
– St. Francis
– Van Buren

Arkansas Chapter Map

Annual Reports

We work through our 21 chapters in rural communities throughout Arkansas to share resources, information, and strategies, and we collectively advocate for policies that benefit low-income families, children, and communities. Our members decide on the issues and concerns they address at the local level as well as state-wide and national issues that we support. Each year, we produce an annual report that shows our progress on chosen issues.

Rural Community Alliance

History & Accomplishments

2018 Highlights

The Parent Mentor Program was launched in Eudora. The initial group of six parents/grandparents were placed in Eudora Elementary in February 2018. Originating in Chicago

RCA youth from Earle, Marianna, Rose Bud, Dermott, Hughes, Paron, Deer, Mt. Judea, and Valley Springs participate in Youth Day at the Capitol.

2017 Highlights

The RCA Youth Network was reactivated. With its Advisory Board leading, youth held activities in each region of the state to connect their peers to

2016 Highlights

Led by Lavina Grandon, a rural economic development conference was produced with 40 participants. For two days, members ventured through the North Central region to

2015 Highlights

RCA champions a bill to provide a waiver from Act 60 consolidation, the culmination of more than ten years of efforts to keep the issue

2014 Highlights

Delta Highways, a regional revitalization network in southeast Arkansas launches. Leslie become first chapter to host RCA annual conference. RCA membership reaches 1,800. RCA advocates