Extension system launches "Challenging Times" initiative

Staff

Published Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has launched statewide information initiative to help people understand and deal with the downturn in the nation's economy.

"Thriving in Challenging Times" was launched on Nov. 6 and the goal is to educate Alabamians on a variety of topics, including personal financial management and job-hunting skills.

"Most experts predict this downturn will not be anywhere near as severe as the Great Depression of the 1930s," said Anthony Pinkston, Butler County Extension Coordinator. "After all, we're a vastly different society from 70 years ago - technologically, socially and economically. Even so, this crisis may impose severe, if not lasting, hardships on many Alabama families in ways uniquely associated with 21st century life."

Pinkston said unlike 70 years ago, having enough food isn't as much of a concern. But he said many Alabamians could be forced to drop health insurance to make ends meet and then replace nutritional food choices with processed foods; an especially bad choice as far as a having a healthy body goes.

"It's often been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," said Pinkston. "In addition to showing people how to shop on a limited budget and overcome debt, we can show them how to take preventive steps now to avoid costly medical crisis later."

While the Internet has made knowledge quickly accessible, he said it is especially good for individuals to feel connected with other people during trying times. Pinkston said the Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers an asset search engines cannot equal - 800 Extension educators who care.

"In this knowledge-saturated world, empathy - connecting with people who genuinely care about and understand our concerns - is more prized than ever," he said.

Those interested in the "Thriving in Challenging Times" initiative can visit www.aces.edu.

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