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For this Family, Safe Parking L.A. Was a Lifeline During the Crisis of a Lifetime

Damien Newton

December 10, 2018 |

Streetsblog LA |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

The Safe Parking Program in Los Angeles is providing people living out of their vehicles with secure lots. For those facing housing instability, this temporary measure helps people save their energy and resources so that they can maintain employment and find permanent housing.

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‘Rental sisters' for Japan's Reclusive Young Men

Harriet Noble Amelia Martyn-Hemphill

October 16, 2018 |

BBC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

A unique issue in Japan is that of the “Hikikomori” – men who have totally withdrawn from society, often as a response to bullying, depression, or trauma. The NGO, New Start, offers a “rental sister” program, which provide the Hikikomori with an older female mentor to interact with and guide them toward more independent lives. Along the way, the hope is that they’ll build trusting relationships and practice social engagement.

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The Lasting Pain of Children Sent to Orphanages, Rather Than Families

Tina Rosenberg

October 16, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, San Jose

Casa Viva is an organization in Latin America that prioritizes family reunification over adoption. They have placed about 640 children with foster families, “60 percent of those went back to their biological family or another relative. About 35 percent were adopted.” In contrast to foster homes, orphanages have become thriving business which recruit western volunteers and charge them large fees. Casa Viva opposes this model because most kids have parents who are alive, but can’t afford to raise them.

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The business of voluntourism: do western do-gooders actually do harm?

Tina Rosenberg

September 13, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Guatemala, Zacapa

Voluntourism, or the practice of western volunteers paying to do service in developing countries, seems like a moral, do-good activity. However, the practice has been proven to have consequences, including reducing the need for local labor and stunting development of children in orphanages. There has recently been progress in discouraging volunteers from working in orphanages - the volunteer efforts in institutions never benefit the children - but true progress might involve staying at home.

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A Vision of Healing, and Hope, for Formerly Incarcerated Women

Adrienne Day

September 07, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A project in the Bronx led by two formerly incarcerated women is testing whether transitional living/supportive housing meant specifically for women can help protect against recidivism. The Hope House currently provides homes for 5 women, emphasizing the need for community, not just fulfillment of basic necessities.

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An Orphanage That Doesn't Seem Like An Orphanage

Jason Beaubien

August 09, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Honduras, Tela

SOS Children's Villages is a non-profit group that services more than 80,000 kids. Their successful model emphasizes love, family, and relationships, even though the children aren't being raised in a "traditional" family.

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Tenants Struggling With Mental Illness Found Safety in the “Hotel of Last Resort”

Travis Lupick

July 11, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

Many people who struggle with mental health and substance abuse have trouble maintaining a consistent living situation. The Portland Hotel in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood of Vancouver came to be operated by a woman named Liz Evans who decided to give the mentally ill residents a safe place to live, regardless of outbursts or poor living habits or drug use. Removing the fear of eviction improved the mental health of the residents and is the same philosophy implemented now by the Portland Hotel Society.

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Rwanda wants to become Africa's first orphanage-free country — here's how

Jack Graham

May 24, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Kigali

Rwanda is approaching an ambitious goal - to be orphanage-free - and it's doing so by working to place children in orphanages with extended family and relatives, foster care, or re-integrating into society with the help of youth mentors. The program is based off of Home and Hopes for Children's finding in Romania and strategies are being shared with other countries in Africa, including Ghana and Uganda.

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Housing

Austin Ampeloquio

May 12, 2018 |

Temple University |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Though there continue to be stigmas and stereotypes around using medically-assisted treatments (MATs) for addiction rehabilitation, several housing units in Philadelphia work to make individuals using MAT as part of their recovery feel welcome. One such recovery residence, the Joy of Living, offers stability and open arms for individuals on MAT programs, many of whom are often turned away by other facilities.

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From pump factory to Pump House Ministries

Courtney McNaull

March 13, 2018 |

Richland Source |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ashland, Ohio

After a manufacturing plant closed and ownership shifted hands, the F.E.Meyers building was transformed into Pump House Ministries, a non-profit that expanded internationally. In its heyday, it served free meals, built transitional housing, distributed shoes abroad, and supported micro-lending and water purification in Africa. Beyond the initial donation of property, most of these efforts were supported by revenue generation through its social enterprise arm: by its catering business, craft shows, and book sales. (This is the first article in a four part series.)

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