Shannon came to Rural Action in the way many staffers do — through our AmeriCorps program, Ohio Stream Restore Corps (now titled Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps). In 2013-2014, Shannon served a 12-month term with the Sunday Creek Watershed Group. During their term, they took on a leadership role by planning National Service Day activities and facilitating the Justice Talking civic discourse curriculum for fellow AmeriCorps members.
When the AmeriCorps program expanded to 26 members in September of 2014, Shannon joined our staff as the AmeriCorps Program Assistant, eventually transitioning to Manager and then Director when founding Director Candi Withem retired and kicked Shannon out of the nest. Shannon, like their predecessor, is committed to ensuring National Service as a grassroots driver for Appalachian Ohio’s community development. Their favorite part of working with Rural Action is site visits with AmeriCorps members.
Shannon was born and raised in Scioto County and is building their skills in sustainable living on a flood zone property in Glouster. Shannon also plans to top off their Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with an MSW from OU, with a focus on social work in Appalachia. There’s always more to learn about revitalizing Appalachian Ohio!