The other day I had an interesting conversation, via Facebook, with a former student, now an EHS Alumni. I like how this person thinks because the issues presented are valid and have to be addressed. Here is a little from our conversation:
"However, the community seems stuck in the thought that young people don't have the "experience" to improve the situation. From an outsider's perspective, it doesn't look good. We need to be making opportunities out there. My goal is to eventually make it back there, but when I hear things are on a downward spin, it's troubling to think about coming back. There have been many days when I'm done living in the city that I look at what I could do back there but there doesn't seem to be much. In the end, we need to be communicating what is available out there for young people to invest in. We need a strong school, strong community, and strong entertainment sector (whether that is a brew house or a theater, the list could go on). "
I would like us all to think about this former student, the concerns expressed, and truly start communicating some ideas on how to get our interested alumni ... and their many new skills and new knowledge .... back into this community.
I had a discussion with my Entrepreneurship class today about how we need to be selling ourselves as a community and putting our business ideas and inventory of empty buildings out there to give former students, potential small business owners, and/or future small business owners (current students) ideas on why they could move back here if they were interested or willing to start their own business. Opportunity is knocking in my mind and we need to market these opportunities!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ellenberger