Our Why
Why it matters for students
Today's students will soon be the neighbors, workers, and voters deciding how Oregon shares its water, grows its food, and houses its people. If they graduate knowing only the Oregon they were born into, they’ll make those decisions without seeing the bigger picture or how their choices affect communities across the state. The gap often starts early: an estimated 60% of rural youth and 30% of suburban and urban youth grow up in civic deserts, with few chances to discuss issues or solve problems together (Brookings Institution).
Why there's reason for hope
67% of Oregonians believe shared values still transcend political differences (Oregon Values and Belief Center). When learning starts from something communities genuinely hold in common, there's real room for connection.
Why we start with teachers
One teacher shapes how hundreds, and in some places thousands, of students see their community over a career. But it's hard to teach a place you've never stood in, and most professional learning is a one-day session, not a lasting experience alongside peers from different communities. Giving teachers time to learn alongside peers in communities beyond their own is how we build a more connected Oregon.