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Involving youth in community decisions is a matter of investment: A little time and effort spent now will pay off in years to come. Read More »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Think about your own “homecoming story”—What are the things that draw you to “home”? Read More »

Here are some reasons that communities should make an effort to connect more purposefully with their young people Read More »

The “long game” of connecting with the young people in a community is guiding them into being active citizens someday. Read More »

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 »

This question was asked at the September regional roundtable of northeast economic developers. Here are some of their answers. Read More »

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 »