From Struggles To Successes: The American Dream In Your Neighborhood

I am pleased to announce a new series that will be launching on Palos Patch and all Patches nationwide. "DisPatches: Reclaiming the American Dream" is a nationwide effort to tell local stories that reflect broader national trends.

National debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities. At Patch, we want to explore that conversation on a daily basis so we can better understand how our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us.

Over the past year we have seen and all over town.

However in the midst of struggle comes triumph. From to I am continually amazed by the pride you have in your communities.

At the core of the project we are looking at a single question: What has happened to the American Dream? Does it still exist? Is it still attainable? We at Patch want to explore that conversation on a daily basis.

We want to dig further into Palos Heights, Palos Park and Palos Hills and tell these stories at the local level.

Nationally, Americans are debating the role of government.

Nationally, there's a debate about the education system, which is at the center of our dreams of a better life for our children.

The launch of Dispatches signals the start of a conversation that will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites across the nation.

We hope you'll join in the conversation and talk to us about the dreams you have for your country, your town, yourself — and the challenges you face in achieving those dreams.  Because, after all, your dream is the American Dream. Your story is the American story.

We're just here to tell it.