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12.03.2026 14:04
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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.
Join us March 4th @ 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT.
Register Today: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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.
buff.ly/6Y2fBdw
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
This isn’t personal failure: it’s a system built on rising fixed costs, debt dependence, corporate price-setting, and cost-shifting onto working people.
Working people aren’t failing. They’re living inside a rigged economy that turns basic survival into a revenue stream and calls it normal.
Childcare and education are privatized without public support. Household struggle while big corporations profit like never before.
People work full time and still live one emergency away from collapse.
And they’re rising for structural reasons. Housing is treated like an investment instead of shelter. Utilities and internet are privatized profit systems instead of public infrastructure. Food is controlled by consolidated supply chains that set prices. Healthcare is financialized at every level.
Since 2020, average rent has risen 30%+, grocery prices are up 25%, electricity and heating costs have climbed 20–30%, auto insurance is up 20%, and childcare now costs more than in-state college tuition in many parts of the country. These aren’t luxuries, they’re basic needs.
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.
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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
