Serve as a resource for citizens, area businesses, community groups, and government agencies to learn about community capacity building. Youth Outreach Programs Develop community educational outreach programs focusing on job mentoring, summer schooling and high school dropout reduction. Create youth outreach programs to address teen pregnancy issues and drug prevention strategies for local youth. Conduct leadership development workshops in communities to identify strengths and weaknesses for each community for future capacity building initiatives. Grant Writing Assistance Organize grant writing sessions for community members and leaders.
Conduct workshops to help community members seeking alternative funding for projects.
Educational Outreach Develop a business resource center in conjunction with the Lower Yakima County Rural Enterprise Community to educate and prepare area citizens in starting and operating small businesses. Provide strategic planning and economic development assistance through educational programs that develop appropriate and essential skill sets in community leadership for EC individuals and USDA field staff. Formulate and deliver home buyer and homeowner workshops to improve the knowledge and confidence of community members in purchasing and owning homes. Pan American and Mississippi Valley State University, for community stakeholders to help communities maximize their potential. Establish locations for resources and information that will be accessible to surrounding communities interested in initiating civic programs.