A nationwide movement aimed at improving the quality of life in rural America, including Indiana, says it’s focused on involving youth. The National Rural Assembly – a coalition of more than 500 organizations – calls its new effort “Kids, Climate, Connection.” In a nation with 50-million rural residents, Rural Assembly chair Dee Davis says some families and communities are disenfranchised by isolation and poverty. He notes in many small towns, adults often say, ‘I think I’ll be O-K, but what about the kids?’
Davis says the high rate of child poverty has rural America facing, in his words, “a lost generation of kids and families.” He believes addressing that problem is key to improving opportunities for young people and prompting them to stay in their rural hometowns.
Davis says the big challenge is creating innovative business opportunities that will make a difference.
Thus the Assembly’s link between kids, climate and connection. Davis says rural America offers a wealth of climate solutions, including wind and solar energy, while broadband-starved rural communities need better “connection” to the global economy.