CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Person: Lee Beaulac, Senior Vice President
Address: 400 East Avenue, Suite 401
                Rochester, NY 14604
Phone: (585) 546-7180
Fax: (585) 340-3337
Email: lbeaulac@ruralinc.org
Website: www.ruralinc.org
Counties Served:
IN: Blackford, Boone, Clinton, Delaware, Grant,
Hendricks, Howard, Madison, Marion, Rush, Tipton
MI: Allegan, Antrim, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa
NY: Chautauqua, Dutchess, Fulton, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Ontario, Orange, Seneca, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates
NJ: Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem
OH: Ashtabula, Henry, Miami, Sandusky, Stark,
Wood
PA: Adams, Berks, Carbon, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Philadelphia
PR (municipalities): Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares,
San Sebastian, Utuado, Yacuo
Senators / Began Service: (Headquarters - NY)
Charles E. Schumer (D) / 1999
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) / 2001
Incorporation Date: 1971

OVERVIEW OF CDC

Rural Opportunities, Inc. (ROI) is a multi-state nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of communities, families and individuals through an array of comprehensive services and programs.  It was founded in 1969 in response to the critical needs of farmworkers and other rural poor.  ROI’s mission is to create and provide opportunities for farmworkers and other disenfranchised people to confront and overcome barriers that systematically prevent them from gaining access to economic, educational, social and political resources.  It advocates for empowerment of and social justice for low-income individuals and families, and promotes responsible development of the communities in which they live.  It develops and operates programs with guidance from low-income individuals and communities that create positive change for those they serve.

The foundation of the organization's comprehensive delivery system is a diverse, committed and skilled Board of Directors and staff governed by farmworkers.  The agency provides services to over 20,000 people annually.   Since its inception, ROI has strengthened communities through a myriad of rural development and service activities.  ROI’s programs include: Adult Training and Employment, Housing Development, Property Management & Services, Migrant Head Start, Health and Safety, Economic Development, Emergency and Supportive Services, and Public Policy Initiatives and Advocacy.

ROI is one of 77 community development corporations (CDCs) competitively selected from across the nation to participate in the Rural LISC program.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

ROI’s Division of Housing and Economic Development fosters partnerships between municipalities, public and private funders, community groups, nonprofits, for-profit developers, and service organizations to develop affordable housing and small business assistance programs across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Puerto Rico.  These partnerships have resulted in the development, improvement and preservation of over 3,800 affordable housing units.

ROI’s Homeownership Assistance Program has grown from a small component in its New York state housing program to a major program operation in all states in its service area.  Over 590 first-time homebuyers have achieved homeownership through ROI housing counseling and other homeownership assistance. Rural Opportunities' Enterprise Center, Inc., ROI's CDFI affiliate, has made more than 185 loans totaling more than $3.6 million for the creation and expansion of small business enterprises.  These loans have led to the creation or retention of 1,000 jobs mostly in rural areas
of New York State.  ROI is a CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization).

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