Dispatches: Revisiting the American Dream

How has America's topsy-turvy economic landscape affected you? This week, Patch launches "Dispatches: The Changing American Dream," an attempt to chronicle the hopes and heartbreaks, aspirations and frustrations of average Americans.

Looking out across nearly 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath on whether to expand, college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs, and senior citizens taking on boarders to help pay the bills.

We also see bold new volunteer efforts, innovative business ventures, and residents making a difference through increased involvement in schools, churches and government.

"Dispatches" will be built upon the vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites.

So tell us your stories. We want to hear how you're coping with the present and imagining the future.

If you have a story about a hardship you've faced or a new venture you're starting, call San Clemente Patch Editor Adam Townsend at 949-436-3050 or email adam.townsend@patch.com.