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RARE website

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) is an AmeriCorps program administered through the University of Oregon's Community Service Center (CSC). RARE AmeriCorps is currently supported through grants from the Corporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps), The Ford Family Foundation, the University of Oregon, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Oregon Food Bank. In addition, each participating community provides $20,000 of approximately $27,000 needed to place, train, and support a full-time RARE AmeriCorps member.

RARE AmeriCorps projects typically fall into four broad categories:

  • Community Planning
  • Community and Economic Development
  • Natural Resource Planning
  • Community Food Security/Food Systems
Application Requirements: 
  • U.S. citizenship or be a permanent U.S. resident
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Six months applied community service
  • Coursework or equivalent experience in three or more of the following areas: planning or statistical analysis; planning or economic theory; project management; community or economic development; environmental planning; geographic information systems; grant writing
  • Proficiency in Windows based computer applications
  • An interest in the ideology of service-learning

All potential members must pass a check of the National Sexual Offender Public Registry before they will be offered a placement. All members must pass an FBI check and a criminal background check of state registries prior to beginning their placement.

Many of the organizations RARE works with have adopted Drug-Free Workplace Policies that are applicable to all employees and associates. As a result, participants may be required to take a blood, breath or urinalysis test as part of an organization's pre-employment assessment process.

Benefits: 

RARE AmeriCorps members have a variety of backgrounds and bring to their communities a wide range of experiences. In addition, members receive training in areas such as citizen involvement, outreach and communication, land-use planning, grant writing, project management, and necessary computer skills. During the term of service RARE AmeriCorps members receive:

  • $1,500 monthly living stipend
  • Health care benefits (medical insurance)
  • Childcare if eligible

At the end of the term, eligible members receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award in the amount of $5,550 that can be used for future educational expenses or to pay back existing eligible student loans.

Each RARE AmeriCorps member will be eligible for 9 graduate credits from the University of Oregon's Community and Regional Planning Program. If a member is moving to Oregon, after the successful completion of one year's service they MAY be eligible for in-state tuition.