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‘A Light for Me in the Darkness': For Migrant Detainees, a Bond Forged by Letter

Liz Robbins

February 07, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

For migrant detainees in San Diego County's Otay Mesa Detention Center, a recent letter writing campaign from participants at nearby San Diego State University has brought a small form of hope and courage. The university library released hundreds of letters between detainees and university participants, which served to humanize the immigration debate. “In the U.S. our tendency is to really dehumanize migrants,” said Kate Swanson, another geography professor at San Diego State. “We put them in these concrete boxes. This helps them become visible.”

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These probiotics for plants help farms suck up extra carbon dioxide

Adele Peters

February 07, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

A startup called Locus Agricultural Solutions has created a "probiotic" for soil that uses a mixture of beneficial fungi and bacteria. Not only does it increase productivity of crops, but it also absorbs enough carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere per acre to offset the emissions of a passenger vehicle. Tests done on an orange grove in Florida showed that areas treated with the product took up an extra 4.38 metric tons of CO2 per acre.

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The Battle Over Teaching Chicago's Schools About Police Torture and Reparations

Peter C. Baker

February 07, 2019 |

Longreads |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In response to the discovery that Chicago police officer Jon Burge led a "Midnight Crew" torturing mostly Black men to coerce criminal confessions, the city council's agreement to make cash reparations to the victims included a mandated curriculum in public schools to teach high school students the truth of what happened. Critics called the curriculum, "Reparations Won," anti-police propaganda. But a rare and lengthy observation of one class' experience showed its effects on youth. Not only did they learn the history, but they also learned the possibility of change in the face of systemic injustice.

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When refugees need emergency help with a language barrier, this app connects them to a translator

Adele Peters

February 07, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

A new mobile app called Tarjimly connects refugees with much needed translation services, especially in times of emergency. With over 8,000 volunteer translators who speak over 90 languages, the adaptable app can break down language barriers in any situation in which a refugee has access to a mobile phone.

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Baltimore enacts new rules to root out squalid rental properties. But some tenants could lose their homes

Doug Donovan

February 07, 2019 |

The Baltimore Sun |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore passed a law that cracks down on rental property owners that have been operating without required inspection, leaving renters living in squalor. While critics fear that owners and landlords may lose business, advocates note that living conditions have drastically improved for those renting homes in these buildings.

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Wiggin Street students learn through play

Katie Ellington

February 07, 2019 |

Mount Vernon News |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Global Play Day for schools is exactly what it sounds like: a full day of supervised but unstructured play. Teachers and scientists say that this kind of play encourages creativity and helps build social skills that kids need like problem-solving and flexibility. Students at Wiggins Street Elementary School play in all classes, including gym and music.

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‘Feels like home': Israeli school for migrant kids wins by bridging worlds

Dina Kraft

February 06, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Israel, Tel Aviv

A school in Tel Aviv welcomes immigrant and refugee children with open arms, providing language classes, long school days, extracurricular activities, and more. Members of the community volunteer to tutor and lead after-school courses, allowing children to learn while their parents work late. Now, more schools are popping up in Tel Aviv with similar aspirations.

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Community Solar Developers Get Creative to Finance Big Projects

Zoe Sullivan

February 06, 2019 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Organizations across the country work to make sustainable solar energy accessible for low-income communities. Through creative financing models that allow community members to maintain ownership over their neighborhood solar panels, these organizations keep financing in the hands of community members rather than corporate entities.

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Black Lives Matter Is Making Single Moms Homeowners

Zenobia Jeffries

February 05, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisville

In West Louisville, the local Black Lives Matter is working and crowdfunding to buy homes for low-income single mothers and and transient families - and offering homeowner, where the only expense is taxes and utilities, to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to own their homes. The organization hopes to address the the historical and institutionalized racism that has made homeownership a distant dream for many African Americans in the highly segregated city.

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When It's Hard to Make Ends Meet, Can Smart Apps Help?

Tina Rosenberg

February 04, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Elsie, Michigan

Smartphone technology levels the playing field for low-income people, utilizing services that manage SNAP food-assistance budgets, pay parking tickets on time, payday loans, and more. Applications like Fresh EBT work with families to create budgets to better manage their monthly income.

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