Malcom Gladwell’s book “Six Degrees” underscores how popular theories like “six degrees of separation” and “the strength of weak ties” have grand implications for how we work in our communities.

Peter Drucker examines the emergence of the information society, showing how recent shifts from material production and distribution to the creation and dissemination of knowledge is impacting the foundation of capitalist systems.

Stanford professor Paul Ehrlich argues that humans evolved over millions of years into “small-group animals” that provided safety, stability and protection from outside forces.

However, modern shifts away from “geographic communities” have led to a general loss of social capital, and thus, directly affected the longterm health and stability of individuals and communities.

Read how our partnership with Hennepin County Library is helping library staff find new, creative ways to reach out to families in support of their dreams.

Shirley Heath 1982 essay demonstrates that the way homes and families organize themselves to focus on language socialization is foundational to children’s success with literacy.

John McKnight argues that the institutionalization of services is destroying our communities, causing citizens to become consumers of services delivered by institutions rather than communities that rely on connectedness and exchange to thrive.

Literacy is not the mastering of basic skills in reading and writing but rather, it is about connecting to the development of oral and written language.

Visit the new Learning Dreams art exhibit at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis!

Cremin’s argues that school reform alone will never fix America’s educational shortcomings. Instead, he shows that cultivating learning outside of schools by tapping into the enormous wells of creativity and education within families and communities will be key to closing the wide gaps in learning across the nation.

Sociologist Robert Putnam illustrates that educational success strongly correlates with the amount of “social capital” in the family and community.