Issues

Violence in metropolitan areas has dropped 30% since the 90’s while rural communities have dropped only 7%. In some communities the violence has increased. Due to the high crime rate of metropolitan areas, preventive and development programs were formed and funded to aid and help prevent violence and enrich the youth. In rural communities, with populations less than 10,000, these programs or similar programs are sparse or not available.

19% of our public school children are enrolled in rural area schools, approximately 9 million. Rural community graduation rate is 9% lower than the national average. Often times these areas have little or no funding for after school enrichment programs. College graduates earn 84% more over a lifetime than high school graduates, and it’s even higher compared to non-high school graduates. Let’s not let funding continue to be a reason these children are less likely to succeed, graduate high school, or live in poverty.

Trends continue unless something is done to alter them, and it starts here. Let’s change the culture of being the ‘One’ who made it to the ‘Many’. Helps us provide the resources needed for rural communities youth to grow, learn, achieve, and dream big. Don’t forget about the 19%.