How Communities Create Opportunity For Residents To Thrive
Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation recently released a research report entitled How Opportunity Takes Root: Understanding the Conditions for People and Places to Thrive. Researchers surveyed approximately 7,000 U.S. adults across the nation about their perceived opportunity as an individual and within their community. Here are some of the key findings from that project.
As expected, most adults want more control – not less – over their lives and their futures. This sense of agency and self-empowerment has been strong historically. Today 66% of U.S. adults surveyed believe they can shape their future most of the time.
However, one in three believe their opportunities are limited by circumstances outside their control. That group includes younger adults and those in lower-earning households. Only 25% of those who feel limited in opportunity said they are thriving, and only 37% believe they can have a great future.
Gallup’s research finds that where someone lives can impact their confidence in self-empowerment and opportunity. These numbers reveal some of the priorities residents have for their communities.
More than 8 in 10 say access to nature improves quality of life.
More than 75% say housing is unaffordable.
Almost 50% say their community does not offer enough stable jobs.
Those who perceive their local K – 12 schools as high quality are more satisfied with quality of life and more optimistic about the future.
72% of adults believe their community is worth their investment. However, there are a few concerning trends for local community leaders.
Nearly half say neighbors do not look out for one another and do not work together to solve common local problems.
Only 50% say their city or town is moving in a positive direction.
61% do not trust their local leaders to act in their community’s best interests.
66% doubt local leaders would listen to their ideas for community improvement.
If you live in a community where you do not trust your leaders and do not believe they listen to you, you are far less motivated to give back to the community or to care about your neighbors.
In summary, communities thrive when residents have greater opportunity to decide the directions their lives will go. Providing economic essentials such as stable local jobs and more affordable housing remain important. Schools and natural spaces play key roles in our quality of life. Residents want more influence in the direction of their community. They want trusted local leaders who listen to them. When residents feel heard, empowered, and valued, they are more inspired to volunteer and share their ideas, thus building a thriving and resilient community.
For the detailed Gallup report How Opportunity Takes Root, drop an e-mail to bobby@toabetterplace.net.
I will send you the report with no obligation. Also e-mail me to schedule a free 30-minute consultation about executive coaching services. To A Better Place Executive Coaching provides strengths-based, solutions-focused, future-oriented services for leaders and their teams.
