As Rural Resources celebrates 60 years of serving rural northeast Washington, it’s worth pausing to reflect on where the journey began—and the leaders and community members who shaped its path. Long before modern programs, the internet, services in 13 counties, or a $24 million annual budget, Rural Resources was simply an idea in a small room in Newport in 1965.

That year, a group of local residents gathered to discuss the newly signed Economic Opportunity Act, part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Many in the room weren’t sure what the new federal initiative would mean for their communities. But one person understood exactly what the impact would be. Al Six, a local schoolteacher, later recalled, “It was all about helping people.”

Al was there the day Rural Resources Community Action was born, and remained part of the story for several decades as a Board member. His lifelong involvement anchored the agency’s history in the values that started it all: neighbors helping neighbors.

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A History Rooted in Community

Rural Resources Community Action became the presiding community action agency for Stevens, Ferry, and Pend Oreille counties. Community action agencies are funded through the federal Community Service Block Grant, which replaced the Economic Opportunity Act in 1981. Over 1,000 local community action agencies across the country provide CSBG funded services and activities to their local communities, with the intent of helping local community members rise out of poverty and become self-sustainable. These services include housing, nutrition, utility, and transportation assistance; employment, education, and other income and asset building services; crisis and emergency services; and community asset building initiatives, among other things.

One of Rural Resources’ first programs was Head Start, which was also a federal initiative in 1965 and funded through the Economic Opportunity Act. Rural Resources received one of the first Head Start grants in the country, and has held that grant ever since. Today, Rural Resources has almost 200 classroom and daycare slots for children whose families might not otherwise be able to access childcare.

After its founding in Newport, Rural Resources moved to Colville to better serve the whole Tri-County area. At the time, timber jobs were plentiful, and families worked hard and built lives in the area. But even in good times, children, seniors, and struggling families needed support. Rural Resources stepped in to provide essential services for those vulnerable community members.

As time passed, the region changed. Jobs declined, young people moved away, and unemployment rose and stayed high compared to the rest of Washington State. Through these shifts, Rural Resources adapted again and again, staying rooted in its mission while evolving to meet emerging needs. As Al Six put it, “We’ve grown and can offer a lot more people the help that they need.”

Through every change, one thing remained constant: Rural Resources adapted to meet the moment.

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Barry Lamont Arrives: A New Chapter Begins

When Barry Lamont applied for a CEO job at a place called Rural Resources in 1990, he had no idea how deeply he would influence the next era of the organization—and vice versa. Months passed before he received a call for an interview, but when it came, he was still interested. He and his wife visited Colville from the West side of Washington, and knew immediately they wanted to build a life here.

“My wife came over and said, you better get this job. I want to live here,” Barry said.

At the time Rural Resources was a smaller agency with around 80 staff (today Rural Resources employs over 210 people). Programs ran independently, with their own processes, books, and priorities. Collaboration was limited, communication systems were basic, and community perception was often shaped by misunderstanding or outdated stereotypes.

Barry stepped into this environment with a long view: build trust, integrate services, and expand impact. But the work didn’t come easy. “In the first month, I thought, What did I get myself into?” he said. “I had been a little social worker guy that had run programs for developmentally disabled people and seniors—and suddenly I’ve got Head Start, and transportation, and all the other programs, and it was a totally different language.”

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Transforming Services and Expanding Opportunity

Throughout Barry’s 22 years as CEO, Rural Resources took on major new initiatives, including expanding services to Lincoln County and entering the world of housing assistance.

Providing housing programs met a huge need in the region. “It was significant for us,” Barry reflected. “We had a great reputation for running and administering programs well, and so the state came to us and asked if we wanted to become the main service provider for housing programs in the region.” Those housing programs have only grown over the years and become an even more valuable part of the rural services ecosystem.

Over time, he pushed for integrated services—laying the groundwork for a “no wrong door” approach. No matter which program someone contacted, they could be connected to whatever support they needed, from housing and transportation to employment and family services. This transformation helped Rural Resources become a more effective, accessible, and people-centered organization.

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Staying the Course Through Economic and Political Challenges

Rural Resources’ work has never been simple. Throughout his tenure, Barry navigated federal shutdowns, delayed contracts, fluctuating regulations, and the complexities of serving remote rural areas. He worked closely with county commissioners and state representatives, answering questions, addressing concerns, and helping leaders understand the agency’s mission and impact. In fact, he cites this work as one of the most rewarding aspects of his former role.

“It was always fun to see the education process that happened with county commissioners and state representatives,” he said. “It was a sort of teaching moment for these politicians, who didn’t know much about the needs of people in poverty or how we supported them. By the time [the officials] left office, they were calling me to say, ‘What can we do for you? What do you need this year?'”

Through all of it, Barry emphasized a truth that remains at the core of Rural Resources today: the needs persist. “The needs continue, they don’t abate,” Barry said. “People need a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs, and a living wage to pay for it.”

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The People Behind the Mission

Barry is quick to credit the agency’s best accomplishments to its people. “When I was here, I didn’t really have to supervise people. I just stayed out of their way and they did miraculous things,” he said. He credits the organization’s case managers, advocates, and support staff whose compassion and creativity have kept the mission of Rural Resources alive. “One challenge that we’ve always had is that most of our funding is very prescriptive,” he said. “Employees really have to figure out how to play with those funding requirements and make them work for what the needs are here. A lot of people don’t realize that this work requires a level of creativity and collaboration between departments.”

As Rural Resources grew from a $2.8 million organization to a $15 million agency under Barry’s leadership, the community began to recognize the impact of the organization on the region. “When 60-70 percent of $15 million goes to local employees’ salaries, and those dollars are going to have a real economic impact, it really shows how we support local people and communities,” he said. Today, Rural Resources operates with a $24 million annual budget, bringing millions of dollars of government and foundation grant money into rural Eastern Washington communities. 

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Sixty Years Later, the Need Persists

As we honor Rural Resources’ 60-year history, we celebrate the founding guidance of Al Six, the leadership of Barry Lamont, and the dedication of generations of staff who made this work possible. From a single meeting in Newport to a multi-county agency serving more than 14,000 people each year, the story of Rural Resources is the story of a community that shows up for one another—through good times and bad.

It’s clear to Rural Resources staff that the need for services is only growing. The demand for energy assistance, housing, victim services, senior services, and more is on the rise, and we don’t know what the future holds for federal or state funding. The need for flexible spending dollars is at an all-time high, so the agency can weather funding storms and remain a resilient source of hope for community members. We hope you’ll join us in looking ahead to the next 60 years and supporting our work. Just as in 1965, Rural Resources remains committed to being exactly what it was created to be: neighbors helping neighbors.

If you would like to donate to support Rural Resources through another 60 years, please visit our donation page here. Thank you!