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How a Consultant Said He Gamed HUD Inspections: Sweep Problems Behind a Wall

Molly Parker Patrick Johnson

December 21, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springfield, Massachusetts

Consultants have helped public housing pass safety and health inspections by covering up serious issues with temporary walls and cosmetic fixes. “The biggest reason why most properties don’t pass,” says one consultant, is “they just don’t understand how to play the game with the points.”

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Making a Difference in 2018

Tina Rosenberg

December 11, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In times of political gridlock, individuals have stepped up to make meaningful changes in their communities, with their solutions inspiring others around the world. From ground-up political action that decreased gerrymandering in Michigan to an accessible coding bootcamp to helping women’s health in many forms, it is clear that change can come from anywhere.

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With eyes on COP24 in Poland, a Dutch success story offers inspiration

Lizan Nijkrake

December 07, 2018 |

Open Canada |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands

With national governments around the world dragging their feet when it comes to honoring their commitments to curb carbon emissions, some citizens are finding success in court. In 2015, a coalition of unlikely Dutch citizens, including a DJ, entrepreneurs, and national weathermen, successfully sued the Dutch government for endangering them by not cutting gas emissions enough. The court then ruled that the Netherlands had to cut the nation’s emissions by 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

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Separated by travel ban, Iranian families reunite at border library

Yeganeh Torbati

November 28, 2018 |

Reuters |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Derby Line, Vermont

Iranian families are sidestepping the U.S. Muslim ban inside a library. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located in both Derby Line, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec. Dozens of Iranian families have briefly reunited in the library, which acts as unofficial political gray zone. “You don’t need your passport. You park on your side, I’ll park on my side, but we’re all going to walk in the same door.”

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Vacant homes don't stand a chance in Lorain

Kevin Barry

November 27, 2018 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Lorain, Ohio

The Lorain Demolition Board slowly chips away at the demolition of blighted homes across the city. With a jumpstart from the mayor, city inspectors have marked more than 350 properties around the town that require demolition, and they're partnering with local banks to fund the renewal of these neighborhoods.

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How a trip to Copenhagen inspired Tel Aviv's child-friendly reforms

Anoush Darabi

November 22, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Israel, Tel Aviv

Sometimes you have to see something is possible before you can do it yourself. For Tel Aviv’s city officers, it took a trip to Copenhagen to understand that each of them, no matter their office, could do something to make their city better for young children.

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Why Raj Jayadev is helping Philly's criminal justice system adopt participatory defense

Grace Shallow

November 21, 2018 |

Generocity |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Participatory defense, is a model that integrates the family into the legal defense of someone being prosecuted for a crime. Loved ones can bring in evidence like photos and records that speak to the character of the accused person. In Philadelphia, the model is being implemented and already helped reduce someone’s bail from $500,000 to $0. Nationally, the method has been proven to be highly effective. “Over 10 years, participatory defense hubs have popped up in 20 other cities and reduced people’s sentences by 4,218 years.”

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Detroit homeless court changes lives for its defendants

Aaron Mondry

November 20, 2018 |

Model D |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Street Outreach Court Detroit is a collaboration between the courts and service providers to waive legal and financial obligations post-conviction if a person makes a commitment to an individualized action plan. These plans can include steps such as substance misuse treatment, enrolling in a workforce readiness program, and accessing housing subsidies.

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Nonprofit helps kids impacted by homicide

Cat Reid

November 19, 2018 |

KSHB-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

A Kansas City non-profit called Healing Pathway Victim Service Agency aids children, or the "smallest co-victims" as they call them, of crimes and homicides through case management, education, victim advocacy and trauma-informed mentorship for kids. The organization acts as a one-stop shop for families, offering connection to mental health resources, advice on navigating the courts, and assistance with victim compensation.

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How Madeline Snyder, a trans woman in Tyler, got her driver's license fixed

Tasneem Raja

November 19, 2018 |

The Tyler Loop |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tyler, Texas

The legal process for changing your name and gender on drivers' licenses or birth certificates was—and, to a degree, still is—convoluted, expensive, and time-consuming. A grassroots movement started after the 2016 Presidential Election that used GoFundMe, Facebook, and public support to help Madeline Snyder and other trans people from Tyler, Texas change their legal documents all at once. The process wasn't always straightforward, but it had about a 75% success rate and brought with it a groundswell of support from the trans and ally communities.

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