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Connecting Rural Communities: Volunteering and Neighboring

Rural areas are often considered America’s heartland because many
things we love most about this country are cornerstones of rural
America: the beauty of our natural landscapes, the freedom of
wide open spaces, and an independence of spirit.

The rural America
that lives in our country’s consciousness is a mixture of two strong
elements: a rugged self-sufficiency and a sense of community that binds
neighbors together. The family farms that were once the backbone of
rural life exemplify the independence and spirit of freedom of rural
America’s cultural identity.

Today, changing economies and demographic shifts have brought new
challenges for rural communities. Many have become under-resourced
with high rates of working poor, hunger, illiteracy, and lower prevailing
wages than those in metro areas. Agricultural practices have evolved
from small and medium-sized family farms to larger mechanized
business operations. Extraction and mining-based industries have left
rural areas, and many unemployed residents are struggling to make ends
meet. With shrinking resources, those who remain face major hardships
— from decreasing employment opportunities to lack of livable wages,
housing, healthcare, transportation, and positive activities for youth.

Today’s challenges have not dimmed the positive spirit of rural America.
A study of rural residents found that a majority of respondents ranked
their quality of life as “excellent.” They reported feeling more connected
to their communities than their counterparts living in urban areas, and
many said they felt their community’s best years might be ahead of
them, not behind them.1 However, while rural communities are
undoubtedly resilient, low-income rural families are vulnerable to the
tough social and economic conditions and are often disconnected from
the critical resources needed to succeed.

Full Report: http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/neighboring/resources/pdfs/ConnectingRuralCommunities.pdf

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