RurAL CAP’s Community Development Division provides training, education, resources, and service opportunities to low-income Alaskans to promote health and wellness, improve environmental conditions, save energy and build capacity. The division focuses on positive solutions that are culturally appropriate and achieve measurable results.

The Community Development Division includes four national service AmeriCorps and VISTA programs. Each year, RurAL CAP supports up to 140 AmeriCorps and VISTA members in approximately 50 communities across Alaska. RurAL CAP AmeriCorps Members work in Alaskan communities to address community issues and implement local solutions to those concerns.

Click here to listen to a story on the Members taking the oath on the Alaska Public Radio Network's Alaska News Nightly Program in January 2009.

They gain valuable training, skills and experience and earn an education award of $4,725 after completing a year of service.  The programs include Building Initiatives in Rural Community Health (BIRCH) AmeriCorps, Rural Alaska Village Environmental Network (RAVEN) AmeriCorps, Students In Service (SIS) AmeriCorps and VISTA Energy Program (VEP).

2008 Community Development Division Highlights
 •  AmeriCorps Members recruited over 4,000 community volunteers who contributed over 40,000 hours of service
 •  300 people attended the Rural Providers’ Conference for drug and alcohol prevention and treatment service providers
 •  VISTA Members built partnerships, developed funding proposals, and worked with their sponsoring council to raise over $ 25,000 in cash and in-kind resources for energy projects in their villages
 •  RAVEN, BIRCH, VISTA and Students in Service Members recruited over 4,000 community volunteers who contributed over 40,000 hours of service by participating in community activities

For more information contact:
Catherine Clements, Community Development Division Director
phone: 907-865-7357