Science teacher imagines a lab for his students

Jay LeCroy is a science teacher in a county outside of the Community Foundation’s geographic area. But he still has an Imagine idea well worth sharing.
At Isabella High School in Maplesville, AL, he explains, he is “struggling to teach and inspire a generation of students in a small country school that lacks a lab [...]

Fresh Air Family teen imagines next 50 years, Pt. 2

Amanda Wilson, 15, is another Fresh Air Family participant who has been doing some thinking about the future. Consider her idea idea about what her community might look like in 50 years — “a world where more people are into activities.”
Instead of families sitting in front of electronics all day (says Amanda), they should spend [...]

Fresh Air Family teen imagines next 50 years, Pt. 1

The Fresh Air Family organization challenges its participants to experience the natural world and learn new things, including how to imagine a future 50 years from now. For 13-year-old Brennan Fitzgerald, a look into the future starts with a walk outdoors.
Here’s what Brennan imagines:
Trees line a path with several people walking down it. A dog [...]

Catalyst For Birmingham asks its own questions

If you know anything about Catalyst For Birmingham, you should know their slogan, it’s Hip to Be Civic. For this group of enthusiastic and highly involved folks, the next step is to ask visitors to their booth at the YPExpo in June their own questions: In what ways would you like to be a [...]

Are you a Knowledge Worker?

In her book, “Live First, Work Second,” Rebecca Ryan leads the way inside the minds of the next generation, exploring the way emerging leaders think about our world. She talks a lot about the Creative Class and about Knowledge Workers, borrowing from phrases first used by best-selling author Richard Florida.
So how do you know if [...]

Keeping the magic alive? Caring people share ideas for future

Young and old, black and white, we all felt the magic of our annual meeting on May 11, and we’re working hard to capture all the ideas we can from that great day. For two weeks, we’ve been sharing the dreams of some of those who were part of our 50th anniversary.
If you missed [...]

Can these ideas spark other thoughts for shared future?

Herbert Patterson cares about hills and trees, but wants the arts available too. Mike Harper wants to make sure we continue to care for one another. Richard Crow values the uniqueness of different neighborhoods. No matter what you care about, sharing ideas is a good start as we plan together for our future.
Kelly Sorrells: Wishes [...]

Treasuring small-town feel and dreaming of inspired leadership

Still sharing ideas from folks who care about our community — what they see as our strengths and what they dream for the next 50 years:
Kathy Freeland: I was born in and have lived the majority of my life within the city limits of Birmingham. I never want to lose the small town feel of [...]

Our community’s natural beauty inspires people to imagine

When we listen to people who love our community, they often talk about the natural beauty that surrounds us — the ridges and the valleys, the trees, the rivers and trails so easy to access. What better place than the great outdoors to let your imagination go wild and think about the great [...]

Transit plans could win stimulus funding, fulfill dreams

Good news surfaced this week for fans of improved mass transit, including many people who have shared their dreams for a brighter future on this Imagine blog. Whether you care about economic development, access to great entertainment or a way to create a greener community, recent news about prospects for funding the In-Town Transit Partnership [...]