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A Portland foundation's infusion of talent and money helps set small Maine town back on its feet

Ernie Clark

June 21, 2020 |

Bangor Daily News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Monson, Maine

A Portland-based foundation has revitalized a small town in Maine with the establishment of an arts colony, reconstruction of old buildings in downtown, and a full health center - a rarity for small towns. A declining population and the shuttering of major businesses contributed to the decline of Monson. The Libra Foundation's philanthropic efforts have spurred enthusiasm within the town well known for being the last stop along the Appalachian Trail.

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‘I just need a connection': the refugees teaching languages across borders

Ruth Michaelson

June 17, 2020 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Lebanon

NaTakallam offers classes in Arabic, Spanish, Persian and French that are taught by refugees. The 64 teachers conduct classes with 770 students entirely online, allowing people from all over the world to learn from native speakers. It also circumvents work restrictions for refugees in their new homes, which means they can earn money. The group’s teachers also speak in university classes, offer translation services, and some now work on New York University’s Arabic-language program. Deep friendships that help combat the isolation experienced by many refugees have also emerged from the online classes.

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Formerly Incarcerated Women Launch Worker-Owned Food Business During COVID-19

Oscar Perry Abello

May 14, 2020 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

ChiFresh Kitchen is a worker-owned cooperative that gives formerly incarcerated people an income, and a second chance, under a corporate structure that attacks high unemployment from the ground up. Formed as a catering business on Chicago's West Side just as the pandemic shutdown began, ChiFresh shifted its intended clientele from nursing homes and schools to food-relief programs distributing free meals. The co-op, initially formed by mostly black women with hopes of scaling up to about 100 worker-owners, echoes the sorts of enterprises formed in response to Jim Crow restrictions of the past.

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Live-streaming helped China's farmers survive the pandemic. It's here to stay.

Karen Hao

May 06, 2020 |

MIT Technology Review |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: China

Online retailers in China launched rural live-streaming initiatives to aid farmers in selling their products directly to consumers. After traditional selling methods were halted due to the novel coronavirus, farmers needed new sales channels to reach customers who now had to shop online. This new model could help the agricultural industry survive the pandemic.

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Lifelines: Farming Program Helps N.H. Refugees Move Forward From Past Trauma

Peter Biello Alex McOwen

May 06, 2020 |

New Hampshire Public Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Manchester, New Hampshire

Fresh Start Farms is a program by the New Hampshire Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success that invites refugees in the state to apply their farming skills here in America to earn an income. Many of the refugees in New Hampshire are from Somalia and witnesses to the Civil War there—and they carry that trauma with them. Having this outlet, where you can do what you know how to do alongside people who have similar experiences as you, is therapeutic. The program is now moving forward with opening up a storefront despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

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Nurse training program bolsters St. John's ranks ahead of potential surge

Tom Hallberg

April 29, 2020 |

Jackson Hole News & Guide |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Wyoming

Teton County’s St. John’s Health medical center worked proactively to make sure they had the resilience needed in staffing to accommodate a potential surge in COVID-19 patients. Working quickly, they identified current nursing staff that had critical care backgrounds, developed an online training program, and within weeks had nearly doubled the number of staff needed if an outbreak hit the area.

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Minnesota Central Kitchen gives restaurant workers jobs while feeding those who are hungry

Sharyn Jackson

April 11, 2020 |

Minnesota Star Tribune |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

With COVID-19 causing the shuttering of restaurants around the country, the Minnesota Central Kitchen collaboration brings together furloughed chefs – and their restaurants’ ingredients – to help feed those experiencing food insecurity. Participating restaurants and organizations pooled together their resources, spaces, and ingredients to make over 2,000 meals each week. Participants include volunteers and paid individuals, keeping 120 food service workers employed.

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The Precisionists pairs people with autism in jobs in which they'll thrive

Jessica Press

April 06, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Wilmington, Delaware

A technology service company based in Wilmington, DE hires neurodiverse employees, people with developmental disabilities, to fulfill roles that they may typically be overlooked for despite their skillsets. TPI avoids the typical hiring practices that include interviews, small talk, or eye contact. Instead, they are tested through complicated LEGO kits, allowing potential employees to shine within their comfort zones. TPI's hiring practices have been so successful that they are in the process of scaling their business to other cities in order to tap into this typically overlooked pool of candidates.

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The Postal Service's Surprising Role in Surviving Doomsday

Garrett M. Graff

March 25, 2020 |

Wired |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

For decades, executive orders have positioned the U.S. Postal Service to take part in helping during national crises, but the recently updated "medical countermeasures program" now tasks the postal carriers with the duty of distributing medical supplies. Although a vaccine for Covid-19 is yet to be created, "proof-of-concept drills" have prepared the USPS for when it is ready for dissemination.

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Fashion industry answers the call for masks and personal protective equipment to fight Covid-19

Oscar Holland Ananda Pellerin

March 24, 2020 |

CNN |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

To help address the shortage of personal protective equipment in hospitals, companies and individuals in the fashion industry are turning from clothing production to face mask production. This approach, which is being implemented across the U.S. and Europe, not only helps the medical industry, but also helps to keep those in the fashion industry employed during the pandemic.

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