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After grassroots victories, Vancouver, B.C. Chinatown turns toward revitalization

Amy Zimmer Chetanya Robinson

November 11, 2018 |

International Examiner |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

Grassroots organizations, like the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, seek to preserve Chinatown’s heritage and fight the displacement of old-time residents by gentrification. The organizations bought an historic hotel to prevent displacement of 100 low-income residents, revitalized commercial spaces such as restaurants to preserve the neighborhood’s heritage and history, and funded programs to support social connections with events such as Majhong socials that bring together over 100 people. While the organizations agree on the goal to preserve Vancouver’s Chinatown, they sometimes disagree on how to get there

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Churches adopt five blocks in Cleveland's Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood to rehabilitate homes

Kevin Barry

November 07, 2018 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland-based Buckeye Ministry and Missions Alliance has “adopted” five city blocks clearing vacant lots and helping to rehabilitate homes. Their efforts have had a material impact on the appearance of the neighborhood as well as a psychological impact on its residents.

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Trailer parks face rising rents. This one's residents found a way out.

Simon Montlake

October 26, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hudson, Massachusetts

ROC USA, a New Hampshire nonprofit, has helped almost 15,000 mobile homes become part of cooperative ownership setups across the country. The need for this is clear. Many mobile home residents do not own the land on which their homes reside, meaning they are at the whim of owners or outside investors. By coming together as a neighborhood and pitching in for collective ownership of a mobile home park, residents take control of their fate and their finances.

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What Democratic Design Looks Like

Barbara Brown Wilson

October 12, 2018 |

CoLab Radio |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In the Denby neighborhood of Detroit, the “Detroit Future City” framework led to a community-driven project to improve safety and schools. First, community organizers created the Denby Neighborhood Alliance. They next improved the high school curriculum, transformed a playground, and highlighted safer walking routes for children. “The power of the Denby project lies in the fact that it was rooted in, and driven by, neighborhood residents—not outside ‘saviors.’”

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In an 'out-of-school-time desert,' organizers connect kids to opportunities

Taylor Allen

September 24, 2018 |

WHYY |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The After School Activities Partnership (ASAP) in Philadelphia offers free and low-cost afterschool and summer activities to students in low-income areas that otherwise do not have access to extracurriculars. ASAP has served over 5,000 kids with over 351 different programs, which include drama, chess, Scrabble, and debate.

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Citizen Engagement 101

Gillian McGoldrick

September 19, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Citizens Planning Institute has equipped 500 residents with the relationships and the know-how to make a difference at the local level in their communities. The institute is a seven-week course supported by a city’s Planning Commission, and these institutes now exist across the U.S. and even are spreading as far as Australia. By engaging with local civic leaders, ordinary citizens have a chance to learn and then make improvements that are meaningful to themselves and their neighborhoods.

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'Deck parks' restore community ties in neighborhoods divided by highways

Noble Ingram

July 30, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Paul, Minnesota

Communities, often low-income neighborhoods or communities of color, that were separated by the construction of highways across America are reconnecting by building "deck parks." The parks include room for public green space and new homes, but most importantly, they're intended to recreate a sense of home while mitigating the environmental impacts of interstates.

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How collaboration builds networks of support for Michigan children

Claire Charlton

July 25, 2018 |

Concentrate |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Brilliant Detroit is a nonprofit that aims to create “kid success neighborhoods.” It reaches this goal by building over 70 partnerships with organizations throughout the city. From working with Eastern Market to providing fresh produce to SNAP recipients, to working with maternal health groups and safety-focused nonprofits, Brilliant Detroit knows it is stronger as an organization when it works with others. Together, these creative collaboration efforts are more likely to help neighborhood kids succeed.

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“The Price on Everything Is Love”: How a Detroit Community Overcomes a Lack of City Services

Kevon Paynter

July 19, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In response to a decline in city services, local Detroiters have begun providing for neighbors out of a sense of goodwill. Detroiters Helping Each Other distributes donated items, ranging from school supplies to beds and winter clothing. The Detroit Mowers Gang is another local group that cleans up the city by caring for vacant lawns. There are other similar organizations that rely on community buy-in and a sense of care to succeed, and recipients of donations pay it forward by volunteering on other community projects.

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Reviving the City: How an Asphalt Plant Turned Into a Public Park

Laura von Puttkamer

June 21, 2018 |

Urbanet |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Mexico City

By participating in the decision-making process, Mexico City residents successfully convinced the government to build a public park instead of an office development. The Parque Imán is 2.4 hectares, includes 163 trees, and the green space can potentially benefit up to 200,000 residents of some city boroughs. While there are some concerns about the soil quality in the park due to the adjacent asphalt plant, the park shows how participation from residents and transparency from the government allowed the public space to be built.

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