Education is a key component of RMM’s commitment to strengthen the leadership of rural and migrant people and to raise the consciousness and support of their allies. Our education programs take place both within rural communities as well as among those who seek to be allies for rural justice. We believe that the strongest education comes through people’s experiences and sharing those experiences with others. Through our education programs we seek to support people as they develop their leadership skills to work for change in rural New York.

Rural & Migrant Ministry’s leadership development program takes place in three stages.

• First Stage: General education and consciousness raising as people begin to approach the issues of democracy and faith in rural settings
• Second Stage: Exploration of the issues through experiential education as people begin to get involved in working for change.
• Third Stage: Direct involvement through action, analysis and reflection as people become actively engaged in social transformation efforts, in their own communities, and as a part of a broader movement.

Our Education Programs have three foci:

• Theological Education > as we help people explore the concepts of Rural & Migrant Ministry (Hope, Justice and Empowerment) through their own faith traditions
• Political Education > RMM joins with people to better understand the political and economic systems operating within New York (as well as national and global)
• Relationship Building > We believe it is important to enable participants to develop the skills and understandings to work across cultural, class, age and geographic boundaries.