While it is rare to talk about economic events as disasters, I often find myself talking about my hometown of Wilmington, Ohio as if it had been hit by a hurricane. In May 2008, DHL Express announced it would close its U.S. air freight hub in Wilmington, and ever since, this small Ohio community has faced an economic crisis of unprecedented proportions. Last year, when we applied for this same grant, we only had estimates of the challenges that would arise from this crisis. Today we feel it in all its strength. In the last two months alone, the unemployment rate in Clinton County has nearly doubled, going from 10% to more than 19%. For many, unemployment and severance benefits have ended, at the same time as state and federal cuts to social service programs have made it more difficult for families to find support in these difficult times. Many of those who still have the opportunity to work may only receive part-time hours or take leave days to keep their jobs. The reality of our economic situation is deeply troubling, and the need for assistance could not be greater. Just as this crisis was unexpected, so was my involvement. A little over 18 months ago, I returned to Wilmington after being away from home for five years living, going to school, and working in Philadelphia. Initially I was also called home for sentimental reasons. At the time, I was preparing to undertake a 27-month tour of duty in Ecuador with the Peace Corps to develop my passion and interest in economic development, and it was obvious that with the departure of DHL Wilmington the community I would eventually return to it wouldn't look anything like the city I grew up in. I had come home to say goodbye to my family and... mid-paper... Major layoffs in Wilmington forced us to face what it meant to lose our hometown. Coming home to work, we had the opportunity to make a significant contribution to restoring the place that still holds us in the world today. What makes Wilmington an important place for us are the same things that make our work powerful, like its historical narrative, the common social bonds we share with the people we work with, and the inspiration provided by our friends and families. Working as members of our own community gives our work a unique purpose that emerges only when the people engaged in the work are fully anchored in the place where they work. We hope our work helps bring perspective back to the value of places and provide others with a model for living the impact that can be achieved by investing in the places that make us who we are.