Patch Launches National Effort To Chronicle Local Economic Struggles

Today marks the beginning of a new Patch project called “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream.”

Given what we see in the dizzying, discouraging headlines everyday, these are trying times for the nation and the world: A near-record national unemployment rate. A seesawing stock market. Skyrocketing college tuitions. Mounting national and household debt. Underwater mortgages and foreclosures. U.S. soldiers dying in Afghanistan in our nation’s longest war.

“Dispatches” will chronicle how these larger events are playing out in our homes, our neighborhoods, our schools, our religious organizations, our businesses, our governments.

We don't think there's one American Dream. We all have our version that we're working toward. And today's hurdles are formidable. Looking out across nearly 900 Patch sites, we see business owners holding their breath deciding whether to expand; college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs; and senior citizens housing boarders to help pay their bills.

We also see bold new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated, and locals who've taken these trying times as a signal to engage more, not less, in their government.

At the purely local level, we want to know where we, as Parkville-Overlea neighbors, fit along these fault lines.

Our main business arteries—Belair and Harford roads—may have their fair share of vacant businesses in this down economy, but that hasn't stopped entrepreneur Amanda Ritchey from opening a new bridal shop in the community or Nikki Lewis from hanging her dream on Rice Krispie treats.

Federal debates over how best to prepare students for a new technological careers, came directly to Parkville when President Obama visited in February to hold it up as an example.

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

But don’t wait for us to find your story. This is a conversation. We need to hear from you. Tell us what stories in Parkville-Overlea you know of that best capture the American dream and spirit.