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Year 31 RARE AmeriCorps Program Group Shot

The mission of the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program is to increase the capacity of rural communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions, through the assistance of trained graduate-level members who live and work in communities for 11 months.

The RARE AmeriCorps Program received notice in late April of 2025 that our current grant is being terminated by AmeriCorps (like many other AmeriCorps programs). We do not know what the future of the RARE Program holds, but we will share an update when we know more. We truly appreciate all of the words and acts of support that have been pouring in for the RARE Program, which has proudly served rural Oregon for the past 30+ years!

“Just being present in the community as a dedicated servant of the public has a big impact in this small rural area. I have been surprised over and over again that my ‘reputation precedes me’ simply due to the fact that I have chosen to be here and bring my passion and background to the Illinois Valley.” – Erica Mooney, Year 26, Illinois Valley Soil and Water Conservation District

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  • Local Organizations Feel The Loss Of AmeriCorps Programs
     By Emily Storm, KOBI-TV 5 Medford AmeriCorps members across Southern Oregon won’t have jobs at the end of the month due to federal cuts. The Trump administration is terminating nearly $400 million of grants to the organization nationwide. AmeriCorps sends young members across the country to community projects and disaster recovery who receive benefits…

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RARE – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments

Stories from the Field

  • Getting Involved in Tillamook County
    By Ann Moorhead, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Tillamook County Coming into a new community is always a challenge and a gamble. After all, how can you truly know what you’ll find once you get there? Visiting or hearing about a place isn’t enough to understand it—not really. A community is more than its landmarks or reputation; it’s made up of people, r

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2024-25 RARE AmeriCorps Placements

View Year 31 RARE Communities in a larger map