In 2013, the average income for the wealthiest 10 percent of U.S. families rose 10 percent from 2010—while the income of the bottom 40 percent declined. Where does the Horatio Alger story of bootstrapping fit into this picture? Is America still defined as the land of opportunity—the long-cherished idea that, with hard work and perseverance, anyone can succeed here?

Robert D. Putnam, author of Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, made this stark assessment: “Poor kids, through no fault of their own, are less prepared by their families, their schools, and their communities to develop their God-given talents as fully as rich kids.” In advance of the Zócalo event “Can Poor Children Still Achieve the American Dream?”, we asked a panel of experts: How is the erosion of community making it harder for poor children to achieve the American dream? How can we help put it within reach for them?

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