2020 RUX Community Intensives Postponed
The Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange is committed to working across the divides that separate Kentuckians to advance solutions to the common challenges we face. During this pandemic, our mission has never been more critical. While we normally work by bringing people together across Kentucky’s regions, we are now being called to reconsider how we advance interdependence while maintaining the health of our members and communities.
After careful consideration of the feedback from hosts, partners, and RUX members, recommendations from colleagues around the country, and the projections of expert reports, the Steering Committee voted unanimously to postpone the 2020 RUX Cohort and all three Community Intensives until 2021.
This decision was made based on the following values:
First, RUX deeply values the contributions of our older members, those who are immunocompromised, and our community members who are high-risk. These circumstances also cause mental health challenges that create barriers to participation in RUX. We believe that the health of one impacts the health of all, and we make this decision in solidarity with all of those who would be more adversely impacted by physical gatherings this year.
We understand that folks are experiencing significant economic hardships. We hope to redirect our organizing efforts to uplift solutions for those who have lost income. Though we work hard to keep RUX very low cost, we don’t want financial hardship or lack of childcare to keep anyone from participating or contribute to any financial strain. Moreover, we encourage our community partners to maximize their resources to support direct efforts locally.
We know that many Kentuckians are working beyond full capacity right now, and we don’t want to distract you from your primary responsibilities. We honor our caregivers, first responders, health workers, grocers, retail associates, warehouse and manufacturing workers, sanitation workers, public servants, and all of you who put yourselves at risk each day for our wellbeing. Thank you for your service. Let us know how we can support you personally.
Lastly, we hope Kentuckians will recognize this pandemic as an opportunity to focus on what’s most important. For us, that means more attentiveness to our loved ones and community and a little less preoccupation with work. As a new world arrives, we hope you will nourish yourselves in preparation.
In addition, applications for the RUX program are now closed. We will review all pending applications next year and offer them priority consideration. When Kentuckians can safely reunite, we’ll be ready. We’re committed to continue planning through this off season to provide excellent Community Intensives in Muhlenberg County, Louisville, and Estill County in 2021.
Between now and then, we are committed to delivering programs that celebrate people, place and partnership. RUX is working on a virtual series to invite Kentuckians to build connections across distance and offer inspiration and resources to support our communities. We will also host a webinar in the coming weeks sharing strategies for relief, aid, and uplift led by RUX alumni and partners across Kentucky.
We are all in this together. You aren’t alone. In fact, we are more reliant on one another than ever before. We look forward to working together to support one another and our communities through this time. We can’t wait to see all of you again.
Be well Kentucky.