CASE 2: FREE FALL
Introduction
Times are good. The state economy is booming. People are moving from all over the country to be part of technology, manufacturing, services, evennatural resources -based industries. Politicians and technocrats have been surprisingly (perhaps amazingly) prescient. State policy has created incentives for a well-rounded, diverse economy. The population is getting younger. Lots of families moving in have children. In turn, the schools are bursting at the seams, but the state legislature has just passeda special budget resolution for a one-time fund distribution to all school districts in the state. In the past two years not a single school tax vote has failed in any community in the state. Not surprisingly, the schools and the communities themselves are thriving. Huge numbers of after- school and weekend activities are being created. In cities, community recreationdepartments have doubled their budgets. During the week, leagues play 12 months a year, from 3 pm until dark. On the weekends there is not an empty field or facility tobe found. After-school programs and community centers have SuggestionBoxes prominently displayed; families can find anything they want. And if they can’t, schools and communities will create it. In turn, private entrepreneurs have seen the opportunity. Coaching, mentoring, lessons – all are available, and the price competition is cut-throat. Want to learn the guitar? Forget the guitar. Want to learn the harpsicord? Whatever you want, you can find it. In more than one place. And hence for the price you want. On the other hand, there is poverty in the shadows of all of this prosperity. Poverty communities abound in rural areas and impoverished neighborhoods are to be found in every city and town. And that poverty is often multi-generational – families who have never been part of the formal economy and so whose needs are deep and systemic. Andnew Hispanic families are moving in to meet the growing demand for household services. No one is asking any questions.
But the talk of policy, the talkof politics, the talk in the media is growth. Poverty is a matter for charity.
4-H in Crisis
For the last five years, the state 4-H Director, Clare Cimminio, has been watching the numbers. Clare, a product of the state LGU anda proud lifetime 4-Her, has been the Director for 15 years. She makes it a point to wear something greenevery day so that, whether on campus or in the community, she is a walking, talking brand promoter. Clare bleeds green. In the last five years she has seen4-H numbers plummet. Even as the numbers of children have increased, 4-H participation has declined. There are now only 2,000 children in clubs in the state, down from 6,000 five years ago. Several counties have had to call off their County Fairs; several others have combined theirs into regional fairs. Volunteers are in short supply as the demands of and opportunities for engagement withyouth programs proliferate.
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