"I want to tell you what a wonderful experience I had working with USDA Rural Development..." began the customer appreciation letter written by senior citizen Connie Henson, of Spencer, West Virginia.

Ms. Henson wrote, "I needed a new roof for my house and at my age wasn’t sure where to turn. I was so thankful to find your agency."

The Dennis family, Marc “Bill” and Nicole, broke ground on their new home in Carneys Point earlier this year. Mrs. Dennis is in a wheelchair and their home will be constructed with handicap accessible features throughout. The Dennis family is beyond excited because it has been quite the challenge to find a home that fits their needs. Mrs. Dennis is especially excited about having a custom kitchen where she can bake and cook comfortably.

Life hasn’t always been easy for Hayley. She is a single mother and going back to school to earn a bachelors degree. After making the time for school, she felt ready to plant some roots for her and her daughter.

Jose and Jessica De Paz are celebrating. Last month marked the one-year anniversary of being homeowners, an accomplishment they weren’t sure they’d be able to realize, but they did their research and attended a homeownership education course in May 2020. 

They were looking to purchase a home of their own. They wanted to move their family of seven out of an overcrowded two-bedroom mobile home. 

For many, owning your own home is the America Dream.  But the road to homeownership can be difficult to maneuver and include roadblocks and detours. Alexandria S., a widowed mother of four, is all too familiar with those bumps in the road and worked in partnership with the Community of Caring’s Aspen Mine Center and USDA Rural Development to make her homeownership journey go a little smoother.  

BISMARCK, N.D. -- According to the North Dakota Behavioral Health Division, nearly 20% of adults in North Dakota suffer from challenges associated with mental illnesses. The importance of prioritizing mental health and working to reduce the stigma associated with seeking professional help have received a lot of attention in recent years. In rural communities, the challenges to providing, delivering, and accessing that care are even greater than their more urban counterparts.