Creating a community for ourselves and our children

Greater Tucson stands at a critical juncture. The sleepy village of 100 years ago now is a dynamic region with more than one million residents - and thousands more on their way each year.

Such growth brings change - both desirable and undesirable. To ensure that we create the community that we want for ourselves and our children, the Tucson Regional Town Hall brought together a diversity of voices and viewpoints to address some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the Tucson region.

Underlying the Town Hall's discussions was a sense of community that grows from a process in which all voices are heard, different faces are reflected and the shared growth matches the dreams of all.

Retired UA President Peter Likins, one of the most respected people in the Tucson region, chaired the Town Hall. Guided by moderators, the participants discussed 12 different issues related to Tucson's future. Specially trained "recorders" captured their thoughts and fed them into the Town Hall's final report.

Now the Town Hall participants have spoken. Their report and recommendations are available on this web site for all to read, as is the background report prepared for participants by the University of Arizona. We urge you to study the report and recommendations and to make your views known. We encourage you to participate in the Community Voices surveys or to join one of the many teams that will be evaluating the recommendations in each area and finding ways to improve them.

We also urge you to take whatever steps you can in your neighborhood or your communities of interest to begin addressing some of the issues highlighted in the Town Hall report. It is not necessary to be part of a formal group to improve your community, though there is greater power in collaboration. The most important thing is for caring, engaged people to see a need and act to meet it. 

Sponsors

The Tucson Regional Town Hall was a model of collaboration, with more than 30 organizations and foundations joining together to sponsor it. The list of sponsors is available here.