Rural organizers aren't waiting for Washington. They're breaking bread with neighbors across the aisle and winning on housing, healthcare, and transportation — one county at a time. More from Erica Etelson in @thenation.com → www.thenation.com/article/soci...

Hundreds of rural success stories are already unfolding — farmers, small businesses, and communities building something real. RUBI ED Anthony Flaccavento breaks it down in Postindustrial.

"No Kings" Means No Kings Over Public Safety They cornered the market on firehouse software, doubled the price, then bought the backup option too. That's not innovation. That's a protection racket. Your neighbors show up for free. Nobody gets to shake them down for it. #NoKings #RuralNewDeal

When Heather started with CWorks, she didn't even know local political committees existed. Now she's an active member and votes in every local election." CWorks National Director Meredith Dean on Heather Vaughn's story — and what it says about the real impact of CWorks chapters.

The rural–urban divide didn't happen by accident. Forty years of consolidation hit rural towns and cities the same way. So why are we blaming each other? For the Full Perspective Visit the RUBI Blog. Link in Bio

"No Kings" Means No Kings at the Grocery Store: Fifty cities have passed ordinances limiting how many dollar stores can open and how close together.They did it because communities have the right to decide what goes up where the grocery store used to be. That's democracy in action. #RuralNewDeal

Thank you Erica Payne, from Patriotic Millionaires for speaking at our April Briefing. She's right each dollar coming our of your paycheck is lining someone else's. There's a better way. Watch the whole briefing on our Youtube Channel. Link in the bio.

Before the winter storm hit, Community Works 4Page teamed up with local partners to chop, collect, and deliver firewood — stepping up to support and keep their neighbors warm.

You can do it. The Rural New Deal can help. learn more at ruralurbanbridge.org #RuralNewDeal #RuralUrbanBridge

Last week, our Founder & President Erica Payne joined the @rururbbridge.bsky.social to discuss how The MONEY Agenda can build the rich, stable, and free country we all want. Watch the full briefing and see how we fix a rigged economy.⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkqP...

"No Kings" means No Kings at the emergency room: Real Democracy means you get a say in whether your hospital stays open. It means no private equity firm can buy your ER, strip the assets, and leave. See how #RuralUrbanBridge #RuralNewDeal

Rural and urban aren't separate stories — they never were. What weakens one reaches the other, through hospitals, housing, food, and jobs. Understanding that connection is how we start fixing the cycle. Read the full piece on the RUBI blog

Tax money shouldn’t bankroll private profit. #RuralUrbanBridge #RuralNewDeal

Don't forget to register for our April Briefing: Join RUBI and Erica Payne of Patriotic Millionaires to explore The Money Agenda and what it means for wages, wealth, democracy, and if it can unrig the system for working people. 📅 April 1 | 4 PM EST docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Can the "Money Agenda" Help Un-Rig the System for Working People? As economic insecurity rises and wealth becomes more concentrated, more Americans are asking what a fair and stable system could really look like. Join us April 1 for a conversation with Erica Payne of Patriotic Millionaires

Rural stereotypes have been used to divide and exploit working people for 150 years — the names and faces at the top have simply changed. But the truth is, rural and urban people have more in common than any of them want us to believe. Read the full piece from RUBI's CWORKS Director, Meredith Dean.

Water is a public good, not for private profit. Rural communities shouldn't have to fight elites for clean water. #RuralUrbanBridge #RuralNewDeal

“Across six counties within two states and across multiple outcome measures, Community Works consistently reduces the intensity of partisan polarization.” — Anthony Flaccavento on the evidence-based success of RUBI’s Community Works in @thenation.com tinyurl.com/5yh6b4jx

Community Works Hart County is restoring more than a building — they’re reviving local history and honoring the legacy of St. John CME Church, originally built as a school in 1929.

Rural America is often flattened into stereotypes — but the reality is more layered, more complex, and more human. Conversations about racial justice don’t stop at city limits. Rural communities are diverse, and policy choices, including years of disinvestment shape the lives of everyone.

Dollar stores aren’t grocery stores. Rural communities need real food access.

CWorks4Jenkins raising awareness around veteran suicide, with words from County Coordinator, Shanelle Carr: “Together, we can break the silence, spread awareness, and be a light of hope.Let’s keep showing up, speaking out, and standing strong—for our veterans and for everyone battling in silence."

Rural Gen Z isn’t disengaged , they’re responding to opportunity. In 2024, rural youth turnout rose faster than urban youth, shrinking a decade-long gap. When voting connects to lived experience, young people show up. The message is clear: investing in rural youth engagement is already crucial.

Too many rural workers are doing essential work for poverty wages with unstable jobs, limited benefits, and little protection. The Rural New Deal puts dignity back into work: living wages, job stability, worker protections, and real opportunity for rural communities.

Strong communities don’t just happen — they’re built with intention strategizing and lots of conversations. Recently, Community Works Shelby County sat down for their the behind-the-scenes planning, strategy, and relationship-building that turns local needs into lasting change.

A thoughtful look from POLITICO, one thing is clear: Durable progress depends on sustained, relationship-driven organizing at the community level, the kind of bridge-building at the center of the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative.

Rural schools and community colleges are underfunded and kids, families, and towns pay the price. The Rural New Deal strengthens schools, supports teachers, expands trades and training, and makes community college accessible so kids don’t have to leave home to build a future.

Don’t forget to register for our March Briefing — THIS WEDNESDAY @ 4:00 PM ET. Join RUBI’s Anthony Flaccavento and sociologist Daniel Laurison for a conversation on what it would truly take to rebuild trust in political institutions.

Garrett County Community Works honored MLK Day and National Day of service by helping Habitat for Humanity Restore with cleaning at their store. Want to bring a CWorks Chapter to your community? Find out how you and your neighbors can serve your community together, in our CWorks Info Sessions.

Democrats see an opening to reengage rural communities by focusing on economic priorities — but will it be enough to rebuild trust with rural voters? More from Anthony Flaccavento, RUBI Executive Director in NPR.

Many Americans aren’t disengaged from their communities — they’re disengaged from a political system that hasn’t shown up for them. Daniel Laurison shares new findings from Understanding the Political Disconnect and explores what rebuilding trust in political institutions would truly take.

It's tough work, but these candidates are happy to do it. Meet three working class candidates fighting for a better life and representation that cares about working people. Watch our February Briefing now on Youtube!

Empty storefronts. Lost jobs. Young people leaving. Small towns are shrinking because investment flows out instead of in. The Rural New Deal rebuilds town centers with housing, local businesses, culture, walkable downtowns, and support for local entrepreneurs so communities can grow.

Bridging healthcare gaps are a key part of the Rural New Deal and on the ground work of Community works. 4Page chapter volunteered with the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic to provide care to under-served and uninsured individuals.

Many Americans from working and lower-income backgrounds often skip voting, even when it matters most. New research suggests it's not just "voter apathy" but rather an unresponsive political system. Join Daniel Laurison for a discussion on trust, exclusion, and what engagement could look like.

The New Rural Deal could be the key to revitalizing and rebuilding trust in Rural America. Read more in Salon

Rural communities produce the value, but corporations capture the profit. When there’s no local processing, storage, or markets, producers are forced to sell cheap and buy back expensive. The Rural New Deal builds local food hubs, processors, markets, and regional supply chains so wealth stay local

Rent, groceries, utilities, insurance, healthcare, childcare, phones, internet — everything essential keeps getting more expensive, and pay doesn't keep up.

Midwest leaders — this one’s for you. 🌾🏙️ Applications are open for Rust Belt Rising’s 2026 Cohort: Democratic Action on Affordability & Republican Accountability. If you’re running for office, or organizing — this free training is built for you. 15v718qtany.typeform.com/to/WdgdnZUi

One of the many ways our CWorks chapters strengthen impact and collaboration is by working with local organizations. Cworks 4 Scott partnered with the SW Virginia American Red Cross and Gate City Food Lion to install 68 fire alarms and educate 108 people about fire safety in Scott County community

From Minnesota to Iowa, communities and farmers are rejecting fear-based politics. When immigrants are neighbors, co-workers, and fellow parishioners — and vital to local economies — the old playbook of division starts to fall apart. Read More on the RUBI

People are ready for a change, we heard from three working class candidates who want to make that happen. Watch our February Briefing: Working Class Candidates on the Ballot out now! buff.ly/6Y2fBdw

Housing is being treated like an investment instead of a necessity and rural families are being priced out of their own communities. The Rural New Deal protects housing for people, not profit with community land trusts, affordable construction, energy-efficient homes.

IT’S RIGGED. Workers produce 60% more than they did in 1979... but real pay is up only 16%. CEO pay is up 1,000%. The top 1% own more than the bottom 90% combined. Nearly half of Americans can’t cover a $500 emergency. Over 100 million people carry medical debt many of them insured.

Scripture tells us the desert is not empty. It is where faith is tested and where survival depends on the care of others. No More Deaths follows this ancient ethic, leaving water in the desert for those wandering it today, helping with food, first aid, and protecting the rights of people fleeing

It's not as simple as "they voted for this", when US agriculture fails it affects us all. Agriculture makes up 10% of GDP, not just from farming, but also processing, manufacturing, shipping and transportation.

Read More: www.thenation.com/article/econ...

We are highlighting organizations that work in rural places to help immigrants, refugees, and asylum seeking people. Today we celebrate the work of RAICES. They have been on the front lines fighting against family separation. raicestexas.org

Register Now: ruralurbanbridge.org/events/febru...