La Mesa, NM – On Saturday, November 5, a fresh, newly energized group of community leaders will graduate from an extensive leadership development training program. The graduation ceremony and reception will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 744 San Jose Road, La Mesa. The media is encouraged to attend.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) conducted the Southern Dona Ana County leadership development training with funding provided from U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Communities Development Initiatives program. The leadership training is part of RCAC’s work with the communities that comprise the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority. The program is designed for rural communities to help identify and promote community leadership. The curriculum was developed in conjunction with Western New Mexico University.
As part of the training, the group conceives designs and executes a class project that directly benefits their community.
The Southern Dona Ana County leadership group identified the need to create and promote open spaces. The Berino Park is the open space the group will improve. As part of the project, the group plans to revitalize and beautify the park through a community clean-up day, graffiti removal and by implementing a recycling program. This new leadership group believes the park project is an improvement they can make in the community using their newly acquired and/or honed skills.
Leadership training class projects in other communities have included the creation of a community website; the formation of a nonprofit social services agency; community beautification programs; park renovation and improvement; a youth summit; a streetscape venture; home safety kits for elders; food drives and even an “Artist of the Month” project designed to foster a sustainable community arts program.
Saturday’s ceremony will include recognition of 13 graduates who are now eager to tackle a variety of community challenges and projects.
Headquartered in West Sacramento, California, and serving 13 Western states, RCAC is a nonprofit agency providing technical assistance and training to rural communities seeking to develop a wide range of local services including, community facilities, affordable housing and water treatment facilities. The organization operates a loan fund with $65 million in lending capital that provides low-interest loans and grants to further rural communities’ goals. RCAC maintains field offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Sarafina and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
For more about RCAC’s Leadership Training Program >>