Sprawl and the "Distancing" of Understanding

John a. powell effectively argues that concentrated poverty and sprawl are regional issues that can only be handled on a regional basis.  One problem that hinders regionalization is a common view that sprawl is an issue at the edge of the metro region, having little impact on the problems of the inner city.  I see sprawl as a “distancing” of understanding between the suburbanite and the urban dweller.  This semester I participated in an inner-city service learning project at the Donovan Middle School in Utica.  I found that this school, which serves the urban poor, is much different from the suburban middle school I attended, which stressed academic studies in preparation for college.  In addition to providing basic education, Donovan has become a social services support system for this group.  Nearly all of the students receive a free or reduced-price lunch.  A large room inside the school, called the Wellness Center, provides a safe place where students can come to eat their lunches away from the social pressures of the cafeteria (including bullying) and to play games or talk with counselors and Hamilton students.  For example, Donovan students who are refugees from Somalia use the Center because they were being disrespected by other students during lunch.  At the Center, there is a rack of slightly-used t’shirts and long-sleeve shirts, which is maintained by the staff there.  Students can “exchange” their old clothes for the items on the rack.  And a batch of sneakers that serves the same purpose is on the floor.  Donovan’s after-school program, the Advantage Program, provides disadvantaged children with a variety of classes and discussion groups, including a Pregnancy Prevention class for the girls and Alcohol Awareness and Planned Parenthood programs for the boys.  I don’t think that many suburbanites are aware of the special problems that are trying to be addressed in urban schools like Donovan.  If they did, a regional approach might find greater acceptance.