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Cracking Washington's Gridlock to Save the Planet

David Bornstein

May 19, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Climate change is a growing issue, but the Citizens' Climate Lobby (a group of volunteers who work to get Republicans and Democrats to work in unison) is aiming to curb carbon emissions. So far the group has had a large increase in number of volunteers and politicians joining and willing to work together.

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Getting Help in Emergencies in Super-Quick Time

Gemma Newby Sahar Zand

May 09, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Dominican Republic, Guayubín, Monte Cristi

Jason Friesen, an American paramedic who had served in Haiti after the earthquake, realized that many poor communities in the Caribbean were lacking the equivalent of the United States’ 911 emergency medical services, and were facing increased death tolls as a consequence. Friesen realized he could help such communities set up emergency response systems through the use of volunteers and a simple text message exchange. Now, his organization Trek Medics simplifies and democratizes the emergency dispatch system, and, as a result, saves lives in rural communities.

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The Data Donators

Mukul Devichand Nick Holland

April 18, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, London, Greater London

Around the world, more and more people are launching projects through mobile apps that use smartphones to collect massive amounts of data for solving chronic issues. By asking thousands of volunteers to donate their data for the greater good, researchers can access data in quantities that were previously unobtainable.

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Bonds That Combat the Isolation of Military Life

David Bornstein

March 20, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Frequent deployments and relocations create career hurdles for military spouses and pull families away from their support networks. Blue Star Families, a nonprofit founded in 2009, is working with volunteers in 35 chapters around the world to help military families connect and communicate their experiences to policymakers and the American public. More than half of surveyed families say that they would not recommend military service to their children, a potentially serious issue for the all-volunteer force which recruits heavily from families with histories of service.

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In Nepal, 'appalling' river runs cleaner in wake of unusual partnership

Atul Bhattarai

December 18, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

For years, campaigns to clean Nepal's polluted Bagmati River resulted in failure. Now with police and government backing, the organization Safai Abhiyaan is in its third year, attracting hundreds of volunteers who are willing to brave the polluted waters to collect trash. The program's unique approach to organizing community volunteers has been a success, but the problem will not subside until greater perceptions about litter and water pollution are tackled.

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A day to expunge criminal records is hugely popular in Philly

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, people with certain types of misdemeanors can ask the courts to seal their records from public view. When this law was passed, a team of 175 lawyers, paralegals, and law students volunteered to help eligible people start the process of sealing their records. The event was a big hit with 1,853 people signing up for help, so many that registration had to close. Of the applicants, 1,200 will likely get their records sealed.

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India's Life Savers

Fehmida Zakeer

November 10, 2016 |

Bright Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Cyclones or floods could not close Sneha Center for Suicide Prevention in South India. This volunteer-run clinic is in the country with the highest number of suicides in the world. It is open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, offering confidential support to people in distress. Since its founding in 1986, Sneha has received more than 350,000 calls, as well as in-person visits, emails, and postcards.

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Americans Are Getting Their Voluntourism Fix on a New Carnival Cruise

Jacob Kushner

November 07, 2016 |

Vice |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Fathom is the world's first-ever cruise line for people who want to vacation and volunteer as a way of helping poor families in the Dominican Republic have concrete floors, water filters etc. However, the impact of this organization is unknown given a lack of data and contrasting anecdotal evidence.

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An All-Volunteer Clinic With Muslim Roots Brings the Community Together to Save Lives

Muhammad Safwatullah

October 19, 2016 |

Zócalo Public Square |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Bernardino, California

Al-Shifa Free Health Clinic is located in an underserved area of San Bernardino. The clinic sees over 200 patients every month for specialized medical treatment and dental care, as they employ volunteer doctors from myriad specialties.

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Longmont's Hopelight Medical Clinic providing free or low-cost care

Carah Wertheimer

October 18, 2016 |

Times-Call |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Longmont, Colorado

In Longmont, Colorado the Hopelight Medical Clinic is fondly referred to as the "little clinic that could" since it provides services such as low-cost medical care, free wellness support groups, health counseling and after-school music and art classes. Based on a two-pronged approach of lessening the patient load on local hospitals while also creating a culture of collaboration amongst local doctors, the pilot program aims to treat those that are most impacted by the income gap.

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