While the American Dream is beneficial for some people, unfortunately it doesn’t benefit others in the way it should. The American Dream promises success through meritocracy and determination, but reality shows not everyone has equal access to the same opportunities. Factors such as income inequality, racism, and unequal education prevent many from reaching the full potential of  their dreams. In order to make the American Dream attainable for everyone we must address these inequalities by reforming unfair policies and building systems and relationships that offer real, lasting support.  These support systems are best exemplified in small, community based organizations that help people in their neighborhoods.   

One such example is InnerCity Weightlifting (ICW) in Boston which offers one-on-one training sessions for people to shed pounds and get “swole”. But ICW also provides opportunities for people at risk of poverty and incarceration and helps them build community and friendships with wealthier people, recruiting people who are economically disadvantaged.  Community-based organizations like ICW are the best way to make the American Dream attainable for everyone.    According to Jon Feinman, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit gym, “At ICW, through our career track in personal training, we help create economic mobility for people in our program as they begin earning $20-$60 per hour training clients from opposite socioeconomic backgrounds,’More importantly, Feinman says, their program creates bridges between people from different walks of life and forges lasting friendships between many participants. ‘The people in our program gain access to new networks and opportunities, while our clients gain new insights and perspectives into complex social challenges.” In other words, building community with people from different backgrounds creates strong relationships, creates new opportunities and encourages fresh perspectives making the American Dream more accessible for everyone.  In my personal experiences, I’ve seen this kind of impact myself. When I was younger, I went to the community center for dance and saw all kinds of programs basketball, tutoring, art etc. they brought together kids from different backgrounds, genders, and social classes. It created a space where everyone felt connected, no matter where they came from. That’s why I believe programs like ICW are so important and create a real impact by bringing people together.  Being together as a community will allow people to stay connected and to support each other as they strive towards their goals.  These human networks will benefit all involved.  

Let’s come together to build a community that makes the American Dream attainable for all. It starts with small actions like supporting local programs, volunteering, or even just listening to someone with a different story than our own.  Investing in spaces that connect people across lines of race, class, and experience, we break cycles of division and open up real opportunities. By creating community spaces that are accessible for all people,  we create a more connected, fair, and hopeful future. Change doesn’t have to start big or be easy at first, it just has to start somewhere. 

• Sy-Rai Riley is a 18 year old Senior attending The College Academy, located at the George Washington Educational Campus. Sy-Rai enjoys poetry and watching horror or teenage movies in her free time. Also trying new things helping with her future and also things that are enjoyable. Her goal is to be an ultrasound technician and go to college for something bigger eventually.  As a journalist, she wants to inform people about issues in the world with an unbiased perspective.