Donate to sustain our work for another 60 years. Thank you for your support!

In the 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson declared a “War on Poverty,” in response to rising poverty rates in the U.S. That same year, he signed the Economic Opportunity Act into law, which created the Community Action Program—an initiative that provided funding and structure for social services targeted at reducing poverty and promoting self-sufficiency. What America then needed were people in local communities to bring these initiatives to life.

In 1965, 60 years ago, a group of people gathered in Newport, WA, to do just that. From this gathering, Rural Resources Community Action was born, marking the region’s first Community Action Agency. Rural Resources quickly expanded its reach, moving its main office to Colville to better serve the surrounding three-county area.

The federal Head Start program began in the same year, and Rural Resources received one of the first Head Start grants in the country. We’ve held that grant ever since, so we’re also celebrating 60 years of providing low-cost childcare—such a needed service in rural areas— in the Tri-County area. Today, we have almost 200 classroom and daycare slots for children whose families might not be able to afford childcare.

Over the decades, Rural Resources has grown its service areas and programs to address the need for services. Today, our divisions are:

• Early Childhood Education – classroom slots, education, and daycare for children of low-income families
• Employment & Training — occupational skills training, on-the-job training, paid work experience, WorkSource (partnership with WA’s Employment Security Department)
• Community-Based Teams—programs for people with chronic health conditions, mental health and/or substance use disorder, and other barriers to stability
• Nutrition Services—17 food pantries throughout Tri-County area, Mobile Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels member, senior nutrition resources, creating resilient food systems
• Housing & Energy Assistance—rental assistance, 78 affordable housing units, emergency housing, shelter space, weatherization & home repairs, energy assistance
• Senior & Independent Living Services (SAILS)—senior legal assistance, state insurance benefit assistance, caregiver support, tailored support for older adults, supported living units for people with disabilities
• Transportation—commuter busses, shuttles for shopping/appointments, Dial-a-ride for people not able to drive
• Victim Services & Children’s Advocacy Center: support victims of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and other crimes

Our service area has grown, and we now offer programs across 13 counties. Each year we serve roughly 14,000 people living in rural Eastern Washington. Chances are high that you know—or you are—someone who has received services from Rural Resources. Our services provide an essential safety net for people who might not otherwise have one.

In our region, where accessibility and availability of services is already limited, providing local services administered by community members is a lifeline to our vulnerable neighbors. And Rural Resources’ one-stop-shop model ensures that people can access the programs they need in one place and address the root problems of their challenges.

As uncertainty around federal funding continues to grow, we know the need for local support has never been more critical. These uncertain times show us a strong local community—neighbors helping neighbors—is essential to create lasting resilience. It’s our hope that the communities that we serve will step up and help us sustain the work that helps our neighbors thrive, especially when the stakes are high.

In honor of Rural Resources’ 60-year journey and the communities we’ve supported, we invite community members to consider a donation of $60 to help sustain our work for another 60 years. This funding directly supports vital programs that provide food, safety, support, and opportunity for those in need. Together, we can continue to build a future where community is at the heart of everything we do. Join us in ensuring that the next 60 years are just as transformative as the last.