Indiana Proclaims March Opportunity Month
•If you happen to travel through Indiana this month, you should know that it is officially “Opportunity Month” in the Hoosier State.
Republican Governor Mike Pence, following in Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s footsteps, formally elevated increasing economic mobility a key state priority in a March proclamation that acknowledged Opportunity Nation and its national platform (link here) to expand opportunity in all 50 states.
Gov. Branstad’s February 2012 proclamation heightened awareness about the issue and served as a rallying cry for Iowans to band together to increase the state’s “Opportunity Index” score. We hope the same momentum is achieved in neighboring Indiana. A big thank you to our coalition partner, United Way, that worked with Gov. Pence’s office on the proclamation and is encouraging residents to get involved in their community to increase opportunity. One such initiative is the launch of a new book club in Madison County.
The club’s first selection is Rich Harwood’s new book The Work of Hope. Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, advocates small local actions to promote change. United Way Madison County has also recently started a corporate volunteer council, and is referring families to its volunteer action center.
“By proclaiming March “Opportunity in Indiana Month,” both the governor and United Way hope to promote tenacity and optimism as core Indiana values,” United Way Madison County said in a statement.
Jennifer Jordan
Jennifer D. Jordan is Opportunity Nation’s Senior Writer. She shares the campaign’s mission and accomplishments and those of its coalition with diverse audiences, seeking to heighten awareness about expanding economic mobility to more Americans. Read Jennifer's bio.
