An Important Announcement from the Director

Dear Members, Supporters, and Allies,

I’m writing to share that, after eight years, I will be stepping down from my role as Executive Director of Hometown Action and Hometown Organizing Project at the end of this year. This has been an incredibly difficult decision for me, both as the organizations’ founder and given the current state of the world. However, I feel myself called to new chapters, personally and professionally, and I know that Hometown will benefit from new leadership that will bring fresh energy and bold ideas to the work of building inclusive and sustainable rural communities here in Alabama. 

Serving as the Director for Hometown has been the honor of my professional career, and has filled an important gap in Alabama’s social justice ecosystem. Our work has made rural communities a regular part of the conversation when it comes to shaping statewide strategy and moving key issues forward, such as climate justice, disaster recovery, LGBTQ+ issues, and many others. I have always said I didn’t intend to be a permanent Executive Director, and this role has taught me a lot about myself and how I want to contribute to the movement going forward. 

First and foremost let me say that Hometown isn’t going anywhere. We have a strong Board of Directors made up of our members and other organizational leaders. We are implementing a transition plan that will allow our current work to continue while the Board conducts an executive search for our next Director. And I will continue to collaborate behind the scenes with the Board and my successor in order to facilitate a smooth transition. I am immensely proud of our staff, who have led truly transformative work in Walker and Dallas Counties this past year, and of all our volunteers and supporters who have knocked doors, attended events, donated time and money, and made truly remarkable change happen. They have built, shaped, and carried Hometown in countless ways these past eight years and will continue to do so on the road ahead.

After eight years, we have  a lot to be proud of. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Climate Protection

Hometown completed a first-of-its-kind deep canvass across 13 rural communities, resulting in over 10,000 doors knocked and 1,033 conversations about rural folks’ experiences surviving storm disasters. This work has formed the basis of our ongoing climate work as we continue to invest in hyperlocal rural organizing to establish climate protection teams and build more resilient communities in the face of future climate disasters.

Volunteers canvassing in Walker County on Easter Weekend (2025)

Disaster Recovery

Hometown has responded to four storm disasters across eight different counties over the past five years with half of those communities experiencing a second storm disaster within two years. In 2025 alone, Hometown has distributed 1,167 pounds of food, 58 gallons of water, and 75 recovery kits to storm survivors. We have contributed over $20,000 in direct or in-kind support and volunteer labor, repairing two homes for uninsured storm survivors, and establishing relationships with more than 30 individuals and agencies who are now engaged in our long-term Climate Protection Project.

Volunteers in Chilton County helping a family clean up debris after a tornado (2025)

Gender Justice

Rural trans and queer people have always been the heart of our membership base driving our mission to build inclusive small town communities. Our members helped win the first rural nondiscrimination ordinance in Montevallo, AL (2018) and have organized to fight back against restrictions to reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights. In 2023 we launched monthly community gatherings that brought together more than 200 trans and queer supporters to share stories and take action, culminating in one of the state’s first rural Pride events last year. 

Attendees at our Small Town Pride event in Montevallo (2024)

I am deeply proud of our work together and excited to see how it grows and evolves in the years ahead under new leadership. I will always be in Hometown’s corner, however I can. As the transition nears, I want to thank you for your ongoing support. Rural organizing is always hard and often thankless, but the reward lies in seeing the transformation of local communities.  When everyday people come together again and again, building relationships and working together to solve collective problems, it all becomes deeply worthwhile. This is work that can’t be done alone, and no matter your role, you have played a part in ensuring Alabama’s rural communities know they matter. 

As the organization transitions into its next phase of life, I hope you will continue to be involved.

Thank you,

Justin Vest
Founder & Executive Director
Hometown Organizing Project
Hometown Action