Rural Action Heritage and Resiliency Project

Appalachian Ohio is home to a history of economies built predominantly on extractive industries, which have not provided sustainable ladders of opportunity for residents at diverse income and education levels. Rural Action's mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region's assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways. The proposed VISTA project, the Rural Action Heritage and Resiliency Project, aligns with the VISTA focus areas of Economic Opportunity, Healthy Futures, and Environmental Stewardship.

We are seeing a growing and glowing opportunity with the rise of community members interested in formalizing their cultural practices of storytelling and skill sharing, most often manifested as small museums and preservation societies. With this VISTA project, we propose our heaviest Ameri Corps investment in exploring the economic opportunity of asset-building in resource-based tourism, or engagement opportunities in tourism that honors and conserves our history, heritage, environment, and regional culture of strong, unapologetic civic involvement.

This project will also support the distribution of local produce, food, and hot meals, as well as supporting communities as they actively adapt to chance and seek out affordable and long-lasting resilient energy and economy strategies.

VISTAs focusing on Environmental Stewardship will be helping low‑income communities, leaders, and community members understand what is happening to the historic weather, seasonal, and agricultural trends, how we can adapt to rapid changes, how to strengthen the resilience of our assets and capital in the face of that change, and even how we can access resources. VISTAs focusing on Healthy Futures will be engaging with all levels of stakeholders, from producers to consumers, to keep fresh, healthy food circulating locally and keep food waste at a minimum, including programming and delivery resources to help every community member realize they are a key player in keeping our communities fed.

VISTAs focusing on Economic Opportunity will be placed with cultural organizations and will be helping small communities lift up giant, generational stories of resilience, overturned oppression, adaptive practices and frameworks, and Appalachian resistance.

Living Allowance, Relocation Allowance, Education award upon successful completion of service, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage*, Training, Childcare assistance if eligible. For details about Ameri Corps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit

Car recommended. Permits attendance at school during off hours. Permits working at another job during off hours.

Community and Economic Development, Hunger, Environment.

Community Organization, General Skills, Communications.

Ameri Corps VISTA

Rural Action Heritage and Resiliency Project

04/06/2026 - 08/14/2026

Full Time

Minimum: 18, Maximum:
None

OHIO

English

From 03/04/2026 To 08/14/2026

Shannon Stewart
9030 Hocking Hills Dr
The Plains OH 45780

shannon
ruralaction.org

127015