Ricky Crews is not a man you’d find paper-pushing at a desk. He’s a tradesman, and proud of it, deservedly so. For decades he’s worked in public service positions, from utilities to law enforcement and back again. He’s an amazing SERCAP employee, with an incredible resume and a heart for service.

SERCAP exists to serve. Yes, in a very literal sense, we provide resources to our clients, but in a broader sense, we are here to support communities and individuals. This eye towards advocacy on behalf of those without a basic necessity is what sets SERCAP apart, and what makes our mission so special. We look for employees who reflect our same sense of duty: Jean Holloway is a great example.

“Water is life.” How would you describe that phrase? For some, those three words are just words: a simple phrase that doesn’t mean much. For us at SERCAP, however, that phrase is the reason we exist.

Did you know that Americans in some parts of the country still don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water? This may come as a shock. Some of us often take clean water for granted, not realizing that for others this is a harsh reality. At SERCAP, we are working to change that. We believe everyone has a right to safe drinking water.

At SERCAP, our team has dedicated decades to educating communities about the water and wastewater problems facing rural communities. One issue that could impact regional water systems is the rising sea levels. Communities affected by this are not only ones located along the coast, but inland regions as well.

At SERCAP, we are fortunate to have a team that values the work they do and the people and community they work with. We are committed to our mission of improving the quality of life for low-income individuals and communities in rural America.

Have you ever wondered how the water you drink, cook with, and bathe in actually gets to you house? It is a fascinating process that starts with, of course, WATER!

SERCAP, Inc a 501(c)3 not for profit is accepting applications to fill a full time Housing Counseling Manager position. This person must have a National or Virginia Housing Counseling Certification.

Winter sure can be wonderful! When a home is healthy, cold temperatures can lead to cozy moments. Conversely, when homes aren’t structurally sound, or have maintenance issues during the winter months, it can negatively impact the safety and wellbeing of families.

“Service.”

After many years of work, one failed referendum and 100’s of hours put in by volunteers and SERCAP staff, the Ellendale community faced a referendum on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Ellendale Civic and Community Improvement Association (ECCIA) worked diligently to distribute flyers – “VOTE YES on November 4” – putting out over 40 yard signs, making individual phone calls, and trying to call attention to the critical nature of this referendum. Members of the group also offered rides to the polls for anyone without transportation, and rides to the county seat of Georgetown for absentee voting, if they were unable to get to one of the two polling places on November 4, 2017.

With the holiday season in full effect, our SERCAP team has been looking forward to quality time with friends and family, homemade recipes, and giving back to the community.

Here at SERCAP we are champions for rural America. With natural beauty, lush mountains, and abundant farmland, it’s no surprise that many of us choose to call these places home. In addition to the natural beauty, rural America forms the backbone of our nation’s economy. From raw materials to agricultural production, this land quite literally feeds and clothes us.

On October 11, 2017, Inside Philanthropy published an article entitled, "Water Systems Are in Crisis. How Can Funders Help?" The Executive Director of the National Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Nathan Ohle, penned the following response to the article.

SERCAP joined forces with Tri-County Community Action Agency, in Virginia, and hosted community workshops. These workshops were designed to educate and support individuals with failing septic systems or no treatment systems at all, to improve the water quality in this impaired waterway. In total, this workshop served 75 unique residences. This is a great example of how our team supports communities and individuals with our water, wastewater and community development services. 

Did you know 71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water but only 4% of that water is fresh? Or how about that 60% of the adult human body is made up of water? It’s pretty clear that water truly is life. We need it to sustain our communities and people need it to survive. Yet, there are still homes across the United States that have incomplete indoor plumbing. It is hard for some to believe that this is a reality for others, as the natural resource of water is something we come to expect and often take for granted.

We love that our role in supporting rural communities allows us the opportunity to work with people of all different walks of life, and cultures. The 4th Quarter SERCAP Native American Water Masters Association (NAWMA) meeting was held at the Annual Summer Festival and Pow Wow on the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina. This was the first SERCAP NAWMA meeting outside of South Carolina and allowed SERCAP the opportunity to introduce the NAWMA to other tribes. Our team had the opportunity to discuss SERCAP, and our services, with a group of Native American personnel that are involved in the business of delivering a potable water supply to the Cherokee Reservation and many of the surrounding communities.

Like the roots of SERCAP, our President and CEO also has roots in the Roanoke Valley. Hope Cupit is a William Fleming High School graduate and has a large network of family in the area. Hope’s mother was one of nine children--can you imagine all those aunts, uncles, and cousins? That large family in Hope’s life clarifies why leading SERCAP for Hope means fostering a family-like atmosphere amongst the SERCAP team.