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One of the keys to the Philadelphia Worker Relief Fund's success was accessibility

Erin Flynn Jay

September 25, 2020 |

Generocity |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) were critical in distributing funds to workers in Philadelphia who were unable to tap into other government relief payments in the wake of the pandemic. The trusted organizations had existing ties in the community, enabling them to better communicate with hard-to-reach populations and verify the eligibility of those who applied. The CBOs involved in distributing the funds covered 12 languages and reached individuals who would not have heard of the funds otherwise.

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Drag Queens and Restaurateurs: An Unlikely Partnership Amid the Pandemic

Eli Rallo

September 25, 2020 |

NYC Reopens |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In New York, restaurateurs who have struggled to stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic are partnering with drag performers who have lost work due to the pandemic to offer patrons a new dining experience while also trying to increase business. The dining performances are offered outdoors and some restaurant owners are hoping to continue the partnership even after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

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The Sudbury model: How one of the world's major polluters went green

Sara Miller Llana

September 24, 2020 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Sudbury, Ontario

After being known as a polluted mining town, politicians, scientists, industry officials, and residents of Sudbury, Ontario, were able to come together to restore its land. After 40 years and $33.5 million, they are about halfway through recovering about 200,000 acres of land. So far, they’ve been successful at restoring air quality, neutralizing soil to allow for replanting, and restocking lakes with fish. While some locals think the mining companies should have done more, the collaborative spirit could be a model for other communities looking to improve the environment.

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The Big Dance: Saving the Great Bear Rainforest

Andrew MacLeod

September 24, 2020 |

The Tyee |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, British Columbia

Finding common ground between environmentalists, logging companies, and indigenous communities to protect the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada took years of discussion and even a dance at an Elton John concert. But these groups were able to negotiate an agreement to make 3.1 million hectares of rainforest off limits to logging, allow 500,000 hectares available for forestry, and strengthen First Nations rights. The process could be a model for what reconciliation can look like among competing interests.

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In Slumping Energy States, Plugging Abandoned Wells Could Provide an Economic Boost

Erika Bolstad

September 23, 2020 |

Stateline |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Watford City, North Dakota

North Dakota is using some of its COVID-19 pandemic relief funds to plug 239 abandoned oil wells and reclaim 2,000 acres of lands. Abandoned wells can contaminate groundwater and leak methane that is hazardous to human health and contributes to climate change. While not everyone agrees that the funds should be used to plug wells, state officials say the economic relief program is keeping about 600 oilfield workers employed.

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Waiving Regulations for Affordable Housing Shows Results in Austin

Jared Brey

September 22, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Austin, Texas

Affordable housing requirements for developers were eased in Austin through legislation known as Affordability Unlocked. As a result of less stringent parking, set-back and height codes, developers are able to maximize the number of units per building and deliver a bigger impact per project. These projects are generally built through government subsidies, therefore giving tax payers a higher return on investment.

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How to prevent drowning

Claire Bates

September 22, 2020 |

BBC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Israel

Three projects show how effective national strategies can be to reduce accidental drownings, which kill an estimated 320,000 people worldwide each year. In Israel, artificial intelligence software processes video feeds from beaches to alert lifeguards to emergencies. The three African nations sharing Lake Victoria have invested in inexpensive weather forecasting gear and public information services to alert people who fish or traverse the lake. And Bangladesh's systems of daycare and swimming lessons are saving the lives of previously unsupervised children at highest risk of drowning.

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The US police department that decided to hire social workers

Josh Wood

September 19, 2020 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Alexandria, Kentucky

When Alexandria, Kentucky's police chief realized how many of his officers' calls were for mental health crises or minor interpersonal disputes, and then how many of these unresolved problems resulted in repeat 911 calls, he hired a social worker to follow up with people to offer health and social services after the police leave. Now the department's two staff social workers do that work, costing less than hiring more police and reducing repeat calls. Alexandria is a small town, but now its approach is being copied in nearby Louisville.

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Three Approaches to Rural Rejuvenation

Kelly Burch

September 18, 2020 |

Sentinel Source (The Keene Sentinel) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Despite the pandemic-induced economic slowdown, three small cities have managed to thrive due to successful economic development plans that have led to “rural rejuvenation” in an effort to attract young families to live there. The city of Taos, New Mexico has used a regional strategy to increase tourism while Durango, Colorado, chose to diversify the economy by focusing on its other resources such as high education, natural gas, and healthcare. Bozeman, Montana focused on nurturing local business instead of enticing outside businesses.

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Jersey City's Composting Program Expands During a Pandemic

Emily Nonko

September 16, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Jersey City, New Jersey

Since the Jersey City composting program, over 50,000 pounds of disposable waste has been used to fertilize home gardens, parks, and community gardens, instead of going into landfills. While scaling the program is a challenge due to the lack of infrastructure for integrating composting as part of the city’s waste removal, residents were eager to participate.

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