It Starts Small: Empowering Rural Communities

In our latest podcast episode, we sat down with RD Bonnaghan, executive director of Rebuilding Together North Central Florida. We discussed his Rebuilding Together journey and the impact the Rural Capacity Building Program has made on Rebuilding Together North Central Florida.

RD’s passion for housing and community work began early, sparked by his involvement in service activities through his church. Growing up, he stocked food banks, mowed lawns for neighbors in need and immersed himself in hands-on community service. These experiences, coupled with a part-time job running programming at a student center in Gainesville, Florida, set the stage for his future in community development.

During his college years, RD organized alternative spring break trips, where students engaged in meaningful community service projects, tackling issues like urban poverty and border justice. One particularly impactful trip took him to a farm that integrated during the 1940s, despite facing significant adversity, including threats from the KKK. This experience deepened RD’s interest in justice work and solidified his commitment to connecting with communities in meaningful ways.

After college, RD’s desire to make a difference led him to join AmeriCorps. A life-changing trip to New Orleans inspired him to dedicate two years to the AmeriCorps program—one year traveling across the country and another serving in Gainesville with Rebuilding Together. These formative years laid the groundwork for his current role as executive director, where he continues to champion the needs of rural communities.

RD explains that much of Rebuilding Together North Central Florida’s work is possible because of the Rural Capacity Building Program–a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) aimed at expanding the reach and impact of Rebuilding Together within rural communities across the nation. This program is more than just a grant; it’s a comprehensive support system that empowers Rebuilding Together affiliates to better serve their communities.

The program offers a structured grant process, providing affiliates with the tools and guidance needed to navigate the challenges of serving rural populations. From strategic planning to community engagement, the program helps affiliates overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful, sustainable results.

Listen to the full episode with RD to hear more about his story and the transformative work happening in North Central Florida in this episode of [Re]Builders, only on Spotify. Don’t forget to tune in on the third Thursday of every month for new episodes!