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 Home   Rural Community Development
Rural Community Development
The future of every community lies in capturing the passion,
imagination and resources of its people.
-Ernesto Sirolli
Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, in partnership with the Diocesan Human Rights Office, concerned citizens, and civic and faith leaders, is committed to the future prosperity of rural communities.
Catholic Charities provides support, advocacy and leadership to promote economic development in rural Missouri communities. Catholic Charities' involvement has included:
- Development of Sparks of Hope, an advocacy organization which actively seeks and encourages collaborations to positively shape the future of rural communities. Operating from a faith perspective, Sparks of Hope empowers local leadership and citizens to initiate attainable goals to sustain dynamic, viable and stable rural communities.
- Implementation of Enterprise FacilitationTM, a person-centered approach to community and economic development. Enterprise facilitators and community boards provide free, confidential business management and networking consultation to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
- Ethanol and BioDiesel Cooperatives in which Catholic Charities provided seed monies to farmers and community leaders to assist in funding feasibility studies and business plans for the potential establishment of ethanol and biodiesel products.
- Creation of Making Connections-Sharing Hope, a community-based forum of rural-based businesses and individuals providing goods and services in northwest Missouri. The group published a directory of rural-based individuals and businesses serving the community.
- Support of the Healthy Communities Forum of Gentry County, a two-day forum for citizens to share ideas and plan for the future of their community.
- Local, state and national leadership and advocacy for rural and agricultural justice issues.
For information about rural community development opportunities or to support these initiatives in your community, please contact:
 Martin Goedken
816-232-2885 or 1-888-629-2886
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Advocacy for Poor and Vulnerable
Hispanic Outreach
Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Rural Community Development
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