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U.S. town creates local currency to boost coronavirus relief

Gregory Scruggs

July 09, 2020 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tenino, Washington

Facing the economic strain from the financial fallout caused by the coronavirus crisis, Tenino is printing its own money like it once did in the wake of the Great Depression. The small town in Washington has issued at least $2,500 worth of wooden bills to exclusively be used for small businesses on Main Street. Thirteen residents have applied for the funds and $150 have been spent by residents on necessities as of June. Other small towns across the country have already sent inquiries to the mayor of Tenino, seeking to imitate Tenino's effort.

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UndocuFund SF: How San Franciscans rallied for undocumented immigrants affected by COVID-19

Annika Hom

July 07, 2020 |

Mission Local |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Community leaders led the charge in raising funds for undocumented workers, who do not qualify for stimulus and unemployment checks during the Covid-19 shutdown which has left millions of people unable to work. A collaboration of people from various groups in San Francisco formed a nonprofit, UnDocuFund SF, raising more than $1.5 million for 705 households. The critical funds were raised through a combination of public generosity, state funding for undocumented workers, a local union, and a large anonymous donation.

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Kindred care: Congolese refugee community takes care of its own, and others, during COVID-19

Sydney Kornegay

June 25, 2020 |

FreshWater Cleveland |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Congolese refugees in Cleveland, Ohio have created a security net for the most vulnerable amongst them with the formation of Congolese Community of Greater Cleveland. Prior to the pandemic, CCGC helped Congolese refugees form a general sense of community but now it provides vital translation services for health updates and helps navigate the unemployment application process in addition to cash assistance. Current government initiatives are often inaccessible for those who don't have internet access, lack computer literacy, or don't have a car to access drive-through food banks. CCGC members step in to help.

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Why Japan's Jobless Rate Is Just 2.6% While the U.S.'s Has Soared

Ben Dooley Hisako Ueno

June 20, 2020 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

Japan's unemployment has barely grown during the COVID-19 crisis, thanks in large part to a business culture that prizes employees' interests over short-term profits. Much of the country's economy remained open in the pandemic's early months. But the jobless picture was aided even more by policies based on a tradeoff between ordinarily high demands on workers in return for job security. The same policies have produced a tight job market that can make companies risk averse in their hiring. But the net effect during the crisis has been much less economic pain inflicted on workers.

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Why a small town in Washington is printing its own currency during the pandemic

Michael Waters

June 12, 2020 |

The Hustle |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tenino, Washington

The town of Tenino, Washington has begun to print their own unique money during the coronavirus pandemic to both ward of the economic fallout and help those who are facing financial insecurity. Similar to efforts from the city's past as well as that of other small towns, the locally-printed wooden dollars can only be spent at local businesses and for basic needs, with the mayor explaining, "Amazon will not be accepting wooden dollars.”

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Community groups step in to provide immigrants COVID testing, relief

Allie Barton

June 09, 2020 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Phoenix, Arizona

To meet the financial needs of undocumented immigrants caught in the gap left by the federal CARES Act pandemic relief program, the advocacy group Aliento has distributed financial aid, educated workers about unemployment benefits, and conducted outreach to young people and families. Aid checks of $500 are aimed at helping cover rent, utilities, and health care costs for families in which layoffs, particularly in the construction and hospitality industries, have caused hardships.

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Madison Latino Consortium steps in to provide safety net, cash to undocumented families

Steven Elbow

June 04, 2020 |

The Cap Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Madison, Wisconsin

In Dane Country, Wisconsin "a collective of advocacy, economic, educational, and health-care groups" are working together to connect undocumented immigrant families – who are not eligible for federal aid – with social services during the coronavirus pandemic. “They’re able to provide us with something, with food,” one resident said in regards to the Latino Consortium for Action. “Any little bit helps, and that’s been very good.”

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How Germany Saved Its Workforce From Unemployment While Spending Less Per Person Than the U.S.

Alec MacGillis

June 03, 2020 |

ProPublica |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany

Germany's creative workshare approach to stemming unemployment has prevented mass layoffs, unlike rising numbers in the United States. The German government provides payroll subsidies which allow an employer to keep on its staff by cutting back hours for everyone. Unemployment funds that would usually go to those who are laid off are instead directed to employers' payrolls, preventing the inconvenience and uncertainty of layoffs and allowing workers to seamlessly return to work full time when the health crisis is under control.

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Is Germany Doing Enough to Ensure Small Businesses survive the Coronavirus crisis?

Rachel Loxton

June 02, 2020 |

The Local |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany

The German government has spent billions to keep small businesses and freelancers afloat during the pandemic. Entrepreneurs who qualified were sent funds, often within 2 business days, specifically for business-operating costs such as commercial rent. Some businesses are hoping for more support in the form of rent freezes depending on how long the lockdown continues while others lost out on funding by waiting too long. The program ran out of money but the government has announced additional aid packages.

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'Stopgap' or life saver?: Italy's scheme to help the self-employed survive the coronavirus crisis

Clare Speak

May 30, 2020 |

The Local |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Italy

The Italian government's attempt to assuage the financial fallout of the pandemic on small businesses, freelance workers, and the self-employed did not achieve the desired results despite the enormous size of the aid package: 25 billion euros. Delays, technical glitches, and language barriers for international workers have plagued the application process from the day it was launched and over half a million applications have yet to be processed. Italians also criticized the 600-euro amount which is the average rent in the country, often higher in some areas. The government has announced additional aid.

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