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Court Observers Are Shining a Light on the Immigration Court System

Ari Honarvar

August 02, 2019 |

Rewire |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

One way that any ordinary citizen can lend a hand to the plight of those caught in the American immigration system is by being a court observer: someone who sits in immigration court and takes notes by hand. Several organizations are working to develop a standardized way of evaluating judges' treatment of migrants to put it in a central database so that the data can be used to evaluate the human impact by the system as a whole. People who participate testify to the job alleviating despair over the situation as they can mitigate any unfair practices going unnoticed.

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Britain's first climate assembly: can it help fix democracy too?

Mark Rice-Oxley

July 19, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Camden

In the London borough of Camden, randomly selected locals, including students, builders, civil servants, restauranteurs, and others, came together to discuss what to do about climate change. This climate assembly allows jurors to listen to briefings, pose questions, analyze data, debate, and discuss action items. The council took inspiration from a citizen assembly around abortion in Ireland in 2016 that led to the national referendum in 2018.

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Preventing Gun Violence with Nicole Hockley of Sandy Hook Promise

Becky Margiotta

July 18, 2019 |

Unleashing Social Change |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Newtown, Connecticut

The non-profit, Sandy Hook Promise, equips schools and youth with knowledge and tools to prevent gun violence. Founded after the Newtown shooting, the organization couldn’t make headway through policy and legislature, so they turned to people. The founders spent time analyzing how social change happens and took a strategic, generational approach to shifting the culture of gun violence. With much success, they now face the challenge of scaling to a national level.

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How Minneapolis Freed Itself From the Stranglehold of Single-Family Homes

Jeremy White

July 11, 2019 |

Politico |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The city council of Minneapolis has successfully reached out to its constituents and responded to their concerns regarding the housing crisis by enacting the Minneapolis 2040 plan which outlines 100 sustainable solutions to mitigate the threat of urban density. Several progressive city council members have worked toward the goal of providing more affordable housing by creating coalitions and proactively gathering citizen input. Subsequently, affordable housing was the main issue in the latest city elections. The plan rewrites the residential zoning laws to allow multi-family homes in any part of the city.

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How grassroots partnerships are working toward long-term food security

Alexis Allison

July 03, 2019 |

Columbia Missourian |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Branson, Missouri

Overcoming the causes of social isolation plays a crucial role in combating food insecurity. From faith-based community meals paired with job programs in Branson, to food recycling initiatives that tap into local markets in Kansas, multiple organizations across Missouri and the United States are developing solutions oriented toward local needs. In some cases, such as the work of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Bloomington, IN, building community leads to political advocacy and civic engagement.

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Preaching Faith in Democracy

Courtney E. Martin

July 02, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Shared expressions of community and fellowship are fostering a non-partisan approach to civic engagement. The nonprofit Citizen University, based in Seattle, Washington, provides small grants to trained community leaders who host Civic Saturdays. The meetings take place across the country in libraries, town centers, and at small businesses. Groups gather to share song, poetry, and to discuss political concepts as ideas on a spectrum, rather than in opposition to one another.

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Drinking coffee, talking politics

Aina de Lapparent Alvarez

July 01, 2019 |

The Daily Star Lebanon |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Lebanon

Coffee & Politics is an initiative founded by Tracy Nehme to provide opportunities to explore Lebanese politics and history. The program provides scheduled events and monthly talks on a particular topic. Attendance increased after online advertising and Nehme started inviting guest speakers, like the heads of government agencies and elected officials, to lead the discussions and hold Q&As. Despite lower capacities, coffee shops are the ideal venues because the informal open spaces attract diverse crowds. The initiative’s popularity has already led it to be scaled to another city, with events held in Tripoli.

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Teens In Transition Program shows promise at reducing crime

Kevin Holmes

June 28, 2019 |

KSHB-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

Collaborative efforts targeting adult-peer mentoring in Kansas City, Missouri have resulted in less crime and increased trust among participants. Focusing on high-risk teens and young adults, the program known as Teens in Transition connects law enforcement with youth members to work together on an art project over a 9-week span.

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These voters are using democracy vouchers to influence Seattle's City Council races

Daniel Beekman

June 12, 2019 |

The Seattle Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

In Seattle, taxpayers are funding a program called democracy vouchers, in which registered voters and other eligible residents receive $25 vouchers that they can contribute toward city council races. In this program unique to Seattle, each donor can contribute up to four vouchers, which are helping to diversify the field for grassroots candidates.

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Paving, rumble strip installation underway at site of fatal May 5 crash

Carl Hunnell

June 12, 2019 |

Richland Source |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Shelby, Ohio

A rural intersection in Shelby, Ohio has received a safety makeover: new paving and rumble strips. The intersection was the site of a fatal car accident in May 2019 and Josh Boggs – a father who lost family members in the accident – took it upon himself to demand action. By contacting the county’s commissioner, engineer, and a state representative, he hopes this will be the first of many intersections receiving added safety measures.

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