Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP)

347 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24015 - 540-345-1184 - www.sercap.org



SERCAP Waterways

January 18, 2024

In September, the SERCAP GIS Core Team conducted an in-person planning and visioning three-day workshop. The GIS Core Team members consist of Anna Mahan from Virginia, Kim Rutledge from South Carolina, Raquel Torres from Florida, and James Horton from South Carolina as shown in order in the picture.

The results of that meeting provided the direction to develop standardized workflows that will increase efficiency for SERCAP TAPS completing mapping-related projects. Additionally, a workflow is being implemented that will allow existing communities continued mapping access to cloud-based GIS solutions once the grant-funded licenses have expired.  

Pictured here is Kim Rutledge delivering on-site training on the ESRI ArcGIS Online mapping portal to the town of West Pelzer.

West Pelzer is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina. The population was 962 at the 2020 census. Under the USDA Technitrain grant, SERCAP SC provided GIS/GPS mapping services to the town to map its water utility. 

Register Now for the Conserving Living Resources: Understanding Federal Land Acquisition Programs Webinar on January 19, 2024

SERCAP’s Housing Counseling Team has partnered with the Roanoke City Public Libraries to deliver a series of Housing and Financial Education Workshops throughout January and February 2024. Since becoming a HUD-approved Local Housing Counseling Agency (LHCA) in 2012, SERCAP’s Housing Counseling Program has delivered dozens of financial literacy and group education workshops to low-to-moderate income (LMI) individuals looking to purchase a home and/or improve their financial situation.  

From Thursday, January 18, 2024, to Saturday, February 17, 2024, SERCAP’s HUD Certified Housing Counselors will deliver six workshops covering a range of topics, including Budgeting, Credit, Predatory Lending, First-Time Homebuying, Rental Education, and Home Maintenance. The participating libraries are the Gainsboro Library, the Main Library, and the Raleigh Court Library, and workshops will take place either on Thursday evenings at 5:30 PM or Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM. For the full workshop schedule and/or to register, click here to register.

Without SERCAP’s full slate of programs and services, low-to-moderate income (LMI) individuals/families and rural communities would be forced to go without such necessities as reliable access to clean drinking water, indoor plumbing, safe and affordable housing, community development and infrastructure needs, water/wastewater infrastructure solutions, and more. It is important to remember that even in the US in the 21st Century, there are those who do not have reliable access to clean, safe drinking water, environmentally sound septic facilities, and affordable housing. In order to help SERCAP continue to provide assistance to both individuals and communities in need, please consider making a donation to SERCAP’s Water Life! Fund!

Make Your Gift Today: https://sercap.org/give-now

*Funding for SERCAP’s Housing Counseling Program is made possible by two grants from Virginia Housing: the HUD Housing Counseling Grant and the Housing Counseling & Education (HCE) Grant, as well as support from the Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge. The program is additionally leveraged by a Budget Appropriation, approved by the Virginia General Assembly, and administered by the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).

Webinar: Onsite Wastewater Basics: Septic Tanks Separating Liquids and Solids

Date: January 25, 2024

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Please join us for this webinar, which will focus on the initial step of an onsite wastewater system utilizing real-life observations from the field to highlight the septic tank. The septic tank is an important and commonly misunderstood component of the onsite wastewater system. Homeowners should obtain a basic understanding of why a septic tank is in their system and what happens when the septic tank is not properly operated and maintained. This webinar is funded by our EPA NPA 2 22 - 24 grant. 

Our speaker for this webinar is Jesse Campbell, Private Well Coordinator, Midwest Assistance Program (MAP).



Click here to register.

Webinar: Effectively Procuring Engineering Services

Date: January 30, 2024

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Procurement policies are crucial for ensuring favorable results and successful outcomes for small communities. By prioritizing these policies, small communities can achieve their objectives effectively. This webinar will discuss the importance of these policies and outline how small communities strategize and acquire engineering services for SRF projects. This webinar is funded by our EPA NPA 2 22 - 24 grant.

Our speakers for this webinar are Brian Day, State Field Manager, North Dakota, Midwest Assistance Program, and Sherry Schmidt, Training and Technical Services Specialist, RCAP.



Click here to register.

SERCAP is providing free math tutoring for individuals interested in becoming Water Operators. If you are interested, please contact Joey Hiner at [email protected].

SERCAP Mission Statement

To improve the quality of life for low-income individuals by promoting affordable water

and wastewater facilities, community development, environmental health, and

economic self-sufficiency.