Dispatches: The Changing American Dream

Patch is excited about the launch of a new series for our readers. “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream” will highlight stories of how local people, families, businesses and organizations are striving for the American Dream, and how that dream is changing.

Here on Mercer Island, we can count ourselves lucky to live in a place with a strong sense of community and a wealth of resources. But even an Island isn't immune to the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. — the most valuable asset for most Islander families — down to their lowest levels since 2006. 

Through the national media we all see stories about how American families, businesses and neighbors are struggling and adjusting to the changes happening in the local, national and global economy. Things change so fast it can be dizzying—unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government, business—and it all impacts us on a local level.

Patch is hoping to explore the conversation of the changing American Dream at that level, so we can better understand how our neighbors, our businesses, our community is adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us.

We believe there is more than one American Dream. In fact there are a multitude of American Dreams that many people are working toward. There are nearly 900 Patch sites across the nation, and we see businesses trying to hold on, and others who see opportunity despite the state of the economy — like new locally-owned businesses , Yo! Mercer or Computer-Fix.

We see jobless or underemployed college graduates returning home. But we also see new, exciting volunteer efforts, and charitable organizations going above and beyond to make sure our neighbors have what they need. We’re seeing innovation and drive, and we’re seeing people engaged in their local governments.

Looking at the national picture, things often look bleak. But locally, on Mercer Island, residents see the possibilities in taking an overcrowded school system and improving it's excellent reputation with At the national level, many are struggling, schools have to do more with less, and jobs are still scarce. On Mercer Island, we are also able to see our students achieve, and are lucky to see low unemployment numbers.

“Dispatches” will be a Patch-wide series to show our community’s compelling stories and snapshots of the changing of the American Dream. We’d also like your help. Tell us what issues, stories, concerns and highlights are going on in Mercer Island. What is your American Dream?

If you're interested in sharing your story or letting us know of another story you would like to see highlighted in this series, email Editor Kendall Watson at kendall.watson@patch.com.