In the 1960s, the Alabama Black Belt was a place where people struggled against the racial segregation that strained the relationships between blacks and whites. Today, the people of the region have a new mission: bridging the gap between young and old. Read More »
Blog Archives
What’s possible: ‘Grow your own’ through internships
It’s no secret that communities in the Dakotas are struggling to meet workforce demands with a steady export of human capital. But what if communities make a concerted effort to bring kids home before they ever have a chance to leave? Read More »
What’s possible: Put civics into action
Every Friday, students in the government class at Lyons-Decatur High School in Nebraska put their textbooks aside and make their civics learning live in their communities. Read More »
Advice for youth engagement projects
Jamie Horter offered this advice, based on her experience with Community Studio, during her presentation to the Prairie Idea Exchange participants in September. Read More »
From the Editor: Pursuing Purpose
Many people who work in the realm of rural ideas have been trying to change the message that we are giving our young people: Read More »
Voices: How do you engage youth in your community/business/organization?
This question was asked at the September regional roundtable of northeast economic developers. Here are some of their answers. Read More »
Prairie Idea Exchange: Connecting Youth and Community
Our September gathering of the Prairie Idea Exchange tested an assumption: By engaging with our young people today, we are more likely to keep them in, or bring them back to, our towns later as active members of the community. Read More »
Infographic: Systems: There’s more beneath the surface
One of the goals of the Prairie Idea Exchange is helping people of the region look at the world around them with systems thinking in mind: Read More »
Homecoming stories
Think about your own “homecoming story”—What are the things that draw you to “home”? Read More »
Why does youth engagement matter?
Here are some reasons that communities should make an effort to connect more purposefully with their young people Read More »