Over the past few months, Visibility Outreach Touch Engage South Arkansas (VOTE SoAR) has partnered with communities across Lafayette, Nevada, Hempstead, Desha, and Phillips counties to connect residents to vital food security sources during the SNAP cuts crisis, energy utility assistance, and localized support systems. These rural regions in south Arkansas and the lower Delta possess deep rooted resilience and untapped potential. While working to bridge existing gaps in infrastructure, housing, and workforce development, we are focusing on power-building strategies. By championing local leadership and elevating community voices, we are fostering constructive community-government dialogue to co-create sustainable, thriving futures.
Photo Credit: VOTE SoAR
During this program year, VOTE SoAR hosted national partners, surfaced first-hand narratives on resilience and perseverance, and co-created innovative solutions, instead of only focusing on the problems.
Key wins we’re proud of include:
- Our team built community with SVA’s leadership, staff, sponsored projects and allies in person in the foothills of North Carolina
Photo Credit: VOTE SoAR
- Cydnee Harris, Project Manager, shared her early career professional experiences in Martha’s Vineyard, the summer’s premier epicenter for Black American professional networking, cultural celebration and wealth building
- Hosted undergraduate juniors and seniors from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Experiential Scholars Program to assist them with exploring community based organizations’ role in community economic development and thriving goals
Photo Credit: HBU Green Dun
- Launched a field program completing 600+ phone calls, 500+ text messages, and list cleanup. Repeated outreach helped reinforce awareness of the organization and move interested residents toward engagement
- Secured nearly $340,000 in technical assistance and financial assistance
Closing out the program year we have a runway presented to us through the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) under award NA23OAR4310630 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
Photo Credit: VOTE SoAR
Harris, Project Manager commented, “Our team is 1 of only 3 CSCI-funded projects located in the Deep South subregion and one of the few rural project teams awarded.”
The project, Where It Floods Matters: Reclaiming Resilience in Rural Arkansas Powered by Community Data (WIFM), will take advantage of current technology and experts to figure out residents’ flood exposure, assess vulnerability and risk, and prioritize community-supported flood adaptation strategies.
Photo Credit: VOTE SoAR
Chairperson Sylvia C. Brown notes, “In all of our work we carry the power, value, wisdom, and voices of those with lived and living experience. Through our co-production process we can really try to meet communities where they’re at and help improve communication.”
Learn more and sign up for updates at votesoar.org. You can make a direct contribution to VOTE SoAR through their Southern Vision Alliance donation page. Your support helps sustain community-led organizing, environmental justice, and power-building efforts rooted in creating a foundation of safety and stability so community members can actively participate in local democracy and civic life.
