SAVE THE DATE!
As a recent graduate in the field of Community Development, I have been well acquainted with the work of author and social scientist Robert Putnam. His 2000 book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community ignited a needed conversation about what it means to be involved in the social fabric of our communities and the importance of civic engagement to community vitality.
Putnam’s most recent book, Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis details the increasing opportunity gap faced by many children and families. While to some this may seem a distant or even an urban problem, it is an especially important conversation to be having in southwestern Minnesota where one in six kids lives in poverty.
The Southwest Initiative Foundation is excited to have Dr. Putnam providing the keynote address for Grow Our Own: A Convening on the Future of Southwest Minnesota Kids. This event will take place on Monday, November 21, 2016 in Marshall at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Please plan to join us as we learn about national and regional trends around the opportunity gap. We’ll discuss best practices that will help all kids—and our communities they call home—to prosper in southwest Minnesota. Most importantly, we’ll start looking into what we as leaders, employers, community members and families can do to make a difference. Our kids are our future employees, community leaders, home owners, volunteers and tax payers. Let’s make sure all of our kids have the opportunities they need to succeed!
More details to come!
