05.16.2012 news
I spent most of my childhood desperately trying to escape the trailer park that I grew up in. Little did I know that 49 years later it would serve as the inspiration for my latest career move - an effort to help rebuild the American Dream for all Americans.
Read more »02.04.2012 news
Our history celebrates the man or woman who overcame adversity and disadvantage to reach great heights. It’s the American way: Get a good education, work hard, and the good life is yours. But a growing body of evidence undermines our claim as the land of opportunity. A coalition called Opportunity Nation is leading the charge for economic mobility.
Read more »01.27.2012 news
Iowa on Thursday became the first state in the nation to proclaim a month in dedication of a national movement promoting economic mobility. Gov. Terry Branstad, who signed a proclamation designating February as “Opportunity in Iowa” month, used it as an opportunity to further stress the need for strong education and promote job creation across the state.
Read more »01.26.2012 news
"A groundbreaking new survey called the Opportunity Index measures states’ and community access to the American Dream, and our Hawkeye State scored in the top quarter of states (13 out of 51, including the District of Columbia). Iowa’s success, along with our wealth of talented and dedicated state leaders, is being hailed as a national example by a new national movement called “Opportunity Nation.” Rob Denson, president of Des Moines Area Community College, and Barry Griswell, CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, serve on the Leadership Council of Opportunity Nation."
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