The Alabama Center for Rural Organizing and Systemic Solutions (ACROSS) was born in 2023 after a storm and a tragedy that shook Camp Hill, Alabama. One of the worst hailstorms in U.S. history tore through here, destroying hundreds of roofs and totaling nearly ninety percent of the cars. Just days later, a mass shooting took the lives of four people and injured almost forty, some of whom had already been displaced by the storm.
From my volunteering in Ghana, I learned a lot about building up communities. With the support of volunteers from nearby towns, I also realized I’m not alone in this work and can’t do it by myself. Together, we have delivered more than 30 tons of food this year and continue to do so. Beyond food, we partner with homeowners to help them make essential repairs.
I saw that people here don’t have basic tools and there are no nearby mechanics. That’s why we decided to start a tool library, inspired by other small towns that have done it successfully. Our goal is to build not just a tool library, but a space where people can come to learn practical skills that make them more self-reliant and even prepare them for jobs. This has been a dream for a long time, and now we’re in the final stages of making it real. The space itself carries history, and we want to honor its legacy by creating something for the future. Alongside the tool library, we’re planning a small concert venue, a coffee shop, and a printing unit to support locals and an income for them.
I am not doing this for money, I have a small home in Auburn, a family and my guitar that’s enough. This project confirms my belief that, together, we can heal—and the hope that Camp Hill’s future will be brighter than its past, while also inspiring other small towns like ours.
From my volunteering in Ghana, I learned a lot about building up communities. With the support of volunteers from nearby towns, I also realized I’m not alone in this work and can’t do it by myself. Together, we have delivered more than 30 tons of food this year and continue to do so. Beyond food, we partner with homeowners to help them make essential repairs.
I saw that people here don’t have basic tools and there are no nearby mechanics. That’s why we decided to start a tool library, inspired by other small towns that have done it successfully. Our goal is to build not just a tool library, but a space where people can come to learn practical skills that make them more self-reliant and even prepare them for jobs. This has been a dream for a long time, and now we’re in the final stages of making it real. The space itself carries history, and we want to honor its legacy by creating something for the future. Alongside the tool library, we’re planning a small concert venue, a coffee shop, and a printing unit to support locals and an income for them.
I am not doing this for money, I have a small home in Auburn, a family and my guitar that’s enough. This project confirms my belief that, together, we can heal—and the hope that Camp Hill’s future will be brighter than its past, while also inspiring other small towns like ours.
