Are you seeking an unparalleled service learning experience? Are you looking to serve with a rural community to create meaningful change? Would you like to dive into community and economic development, sustainability planning, or food systems?

If yes, join us for a year of service with the RARE AmeriCorps Program!

Register for an upcoming information session to learn more:
March 30 | April 12

Member Applications due April 25th by 5:00pm PDT

Apply Now!

What is RARE?

Serving rural Oregon for over 28 years, University of Oregon's Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program places the next generation of change-makers with host organizations across the state to take on meaningful and catalytic placed-based projects, all with the focus of increasing the vitality and vibrancy of communities we serve.

We offer a unique opportunity to connect the community and economic development needs of rural Oregon communities with the personal and professional development aspirations of the next generation. Using a tried-and-true model for engagement, we provide a topnotch service-learning experience while delivering resources, expertise, and critical capacity to rural Oregon. Our goal is to ensure a mutually beneficial experience for our RARE AmeriCorps members and rural communities we serve.

What You'll Do

RARE AmeriCorps projects typically fall into three broad categories:

Community and Economic Development

Coordinating the development of a downtown master plan or parks and recreation master plan
Engaging a community in creative placemaking and installing murals
Developing and supporting outdoor recreation-based tourism in a region

Environmental and Sustainability Planning

Coordinating an array of land conservation and enhancement projects
Collaborating with planners and residents to help rebuild wildfire-affected communities
Creating a rural solar outreach strategy

Food Systems

Creation of community food assessments and tribal food sovereignty assessments
Enhancement of local farmers’ markets and food related business activities
Development of a regional agritourism food trail

Learn More

Current Members

Johnathan VanRoekel
Lake County Resource Initiatives

As Renewable Energy Coordinator at LCRI, Johnathan provides renewable energy and energy efficiency project assistance to small businesses, farms, and agricultural producers throughout the state of Oregon. He helps rural Oregonians connect with as many cost saving resources as possible, such as incentives, rebates, and grants, while removing technical barriers to their access.

Emily Wingard
South Wasco Alliance
As a Capacity Building Manager for SWA, Emily is working to create connections between community and local agencies. Part of her work includes food systems by identifying and confronting barriers to food availability, while another part will be building relationships within rural communities to encourage their personal and economic growth.

Learn More About Current Members

Timeline

April 25: Member Applications due

May 2 – June 10: Phone interviews with RARE staff

June 10: Members invited to participate

June 20-24: Members interview with host organizations

July 5-8: Final placement decisions will be made

September 7-9: RARE Orientation & start of service!
July 31, 2023: Last day of service

What You'll Gain

Living Stipend/Monthly: $2,000
Medical Insurance
Child Care Benefits*
Segal Educational Award of $6,495
Student Loan Forbearance
Professional Training in Community Development, Grant Writing, Communication, Land Use, Economic Development, Facilitation, Leadership, Etc.
Individual Professional Development Fund of $300
Nine Graduate Credits from the University of Oregon’s Master of Community & Regional Planning, Master of Public Administration, or Master of Nonprofit Management program
In-state Tuition Eligibility
Unparalleled Network of 600+ Alumni

*Eligibility dependent on individual circumstances

Apply Now!

Serve Rural

Got Questions?
rare@uoregon.edu
541-632-3217
Schedule a call.
Victoria Binning, RARE Program Coordinator

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RARE Program · 1209 University of Oregon · Eugene, OR 97403-1205 · USA