‍Trust is the foundation of strong communities. Opportunity is what becomes possible when people feel connected, included, and able to contribute.

Trust & Opportunity brings together local leaders, national experts, and community voices to explore a central question: How can trust help expand opportunity for more people across our region?

Greater economic connectedness is linked to better educational outcomes. Local schools with higher levels of historic connectedness have average college enrollment rates exceeding 70%. Dropout rates at schools with higher connectedness are also far lower than those at other local schools.

[Image with chart showing postsecondary enrollment rates by connectedness, drawn from the same data in poster 4]

Connections to others shape the lives of local children in other ways. Students at high schools with the highest  college enrollment rates have many more neighbors with college degrees than students at schools with lower rates of college enrollment. Children at the best performing schools are also more likely to live near people who are doctors, engineers, and CEOs, which increases their exposure to opportunities in these types of careers.‍

[Image with chart showing neighborhood educational attainment and occupations, drawn from the same data in poster 6]

‍Research increasingly shows that trust and connectedness between classmates, neighbors, and institutions, play a critical role in creating the conditions where opportunity can grow. How can we work together to increase trust and connectedness in our region?‍

Through conversation, data, and shared learning, we aim to deepen understanding, strengthen relationships, and identify practical pathways toward a more prosperous future for all.