Each year the Rural Initiative engages staff and young people in skill-building and leadership development trainings and events. These events are hosted throughout the country, with some additional regional gatherings held as a result of specific projects of the Rural Initiative.
Rural Caucus
 The 2007 YouthBuild USA National Rural Youth Caucus was held March 1st - March 3rd as a pre-event to the Conference of Young Leaders. This event brought together a select group of mature, thoughtful, prepared and passionate young people to explore the unique challenges facing rural youth. Throughout the Caucus, these leaders examined career development opportunities and the role of higher education in pursuing these given their rural context. They also explored personal, community and family values in order to understand better the purpose of work and education in their communities. Participants were prepared to engage in the Conference of Young Leaders and Capitol Hill Day with a new-found understanding of the larger framework and role of national rural policy. Team-building activities, a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and exposure to new foods, sites and other experiences further unified the rural youth and underscored their appreciation for the assets rural communities and their young people have to offer.
Rural Gathering
The 2006 HUD YouthBuild National Rural Gathering was held in scenic Santa Fe, NM, September 20th - 21st. With 19 rural YouthBuild programs represented at the event, nearly 30% of the rural field convened to network, learn, share and rejuvenate.
Participants received new knowledge and training through four intensive training tracks and three sub-tracks. Geared to challenges specific to rural communities, sessions covered the following topics:
- Program Sustainability
- Community Economic Development and Career Pathways
- Youth Leadership in the Community
- Place-Based Education Strategies
- Criminal Justice Partnerships
- Leveraging Your Rural Voice
- Tapping Your YB Network
The Gathering also featured a joint keynote address by the Llano Grande Center in south Texas (including one young person who spoke), offered a site visit to YouthBuild Albuquerque, one-on-one TA sessions and Round Table discussions over breakfast. Participants who evaluated the Gathering indicated that the content was very well received.
Plan to join us in the Fall 2007 in Vergennes, VT for the next YouthBuild National Rural Gathering!
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