New Census Data - Recession Affects EVERY Aspect of Community Life

How has the recession impacted your community?

• Are your "revenue generating programs" generating less and less revenue?
• Have your low and no-cost programs seen greater numbers than ever before?
• Were your free concerts and festivals filled to capacity as more and more people were forced to fore-go costly vacations in lieu of free family activities?

The recession has not receded (contrary to what some bankers, politicians or retailers might have us believe.)  USA Today recently ran a series of stories based on the recently released census numbers (2009 census -- the 2010 census data will be releases in the Spring of 2010.) 

These stories looked at the many ways Americans are dealing with their new financial realities.  These statistics will come in handy and should be shared with decision-makers as you lobby to protect your programs and facilities.  After all, your programs and places are safety nets for many families looking and needing places for children and teens to spend non-school hours.  The new reality is that people are being evicted, parents are being forced to work two or three jobs to make ends meet, layoffs require people to spend long days and nights searching for new jobs; and stay-at-home-mom are rejoin the workforce to make ends meet.

Here are links to some of the stories that can be applied to your camps, parks and recreation agencies.  Share them with board members, commissioner and community leaders to promote your critical need. 

• A state-by-state look at Poverty
• Number of people in poverty reaches highest level in 51 years
• County-by-county look at US Population Migration
• "LIving in sin" is on the rise
• Income gap between rich and poor widens

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