What's Your New American Dream? Tell Us

Every day, the national media is full of stories about how American families, businesses, and neighbors are adjusting to the down economy. There are so many changes happening so fast that it's dizzying: national debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities.

Patch wants to explore that conversation so we can better understand how our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us. That's why Patch is launching a new series: "Dispatches: The Changing American Dream."

We don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of American Dreams which a multitude of people are working toward. Looking out across nearly almost 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand, college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes 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 Central Tampa neighbors, fit along these fault lines.

Nationally, there's a debate about which government-building efforts are "shovel-ready." Locally, we know will be key to our community's future.

Nationally, there's a debate about the education system, which is at the center of our dreams of a better life for our children. Locally, we know some of Central Tampa's schools . And the most important people to turn that situation around are not national politicians, but our school principals, Hillsborough County's school administration and our elected school board members.

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

And, of course, we want your help: Tell us what issues and what stories in Central Tampa go to the heart of your American Dream.