Help Patch Tell the Story of our American Dreams

We're excited to launch a new series for our Patch readers: "Dispatches: The Changing American Dream."

Every day, the national media is full of stories about how American families, businesses and neighbors are adjusting to these trying times. At Patch, we want to explore that conversation on a daily basis so we can better understand how those of us in Rochester and Rochester Hills are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us.

Looking out across 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand and college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs.

We also see bold new volunteer efforts and inspiring stories of businesses that succeed because they innovated.

At the local level, we want to know where we, as Rochester and Rochester Hills neighbors, fit along these fault lines.

• How will the elementary school principal help cushion the effects of this year?
• Are new companies like and really bringing jobs into the city?
• Will volunteer succeed?

"Dispatches" will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites.

Have you reached your American Dream? If not, what's stopping you?