As community-college leaders around the country defend against across-the-board budget cuts, they need to mobilize key groups to make the case that their colleges offer the best hope of turning around the United States economy. The author discusses how his and his colleagues' research on community colleges indicate that the public does not understand the value of community colleges and the impact that they have on economic success. They also found that few community colleges have organized effective advocacy efforts, and when they do speak out, they may use messages that do not resonate with their audiences. The author points out the benefits of community colleges: (1) leveling the playing field by giving anyone who works hard the chance to get a college education; (2) allowing people at all stages in their lives to be lifelong learners; and (3) helping people fulfill a very American value of granting the opportunity for people to better themselves. The author advocates for community colleges to: (1) communicate their social and economic value to the public, particularly policy makers, engaged citizens, and key community leaders; (2) remember that each institution is part of a statewide system, and collaboration will yield more power than competition; (3) rethink how much they market themselves as distinct institutions; and (4) expose the consequences of bad policy or changing community realities.