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How a Water Bill Can Help Cities Help Their Most Vulnerable Residents

Cinnamon Janzer

January 28, 2021 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

A pilot program may be able to alleviate the utility debts incurred by struggling customers who were affected by the pandemic-induced economic slowdown. A pre-pandemic program used missed utility payments as an opportunity to provide people with “financial empowerment services like individualized repayment plans and financial counseling.” The program not only cut down on municipal costs but also benefited residents in all five cities. Participants were less likely to experience water shutoffs and paid significantly fewer late fees.

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Midwestern Youth of Color Are Using Art and Culture to Build Their Political Power

Cinnamon Janzer

October 22, 2020 |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

The Midwest Culture Lab consists of three organizations working to increase voter turnout among young people, especially young people of color. The partners work with artists, musicians, and other creative people to create messaging and campaigns that are culturally relevant and engage young people in civic participation. One partner, the Ohio Student Association, had artists create an ad that used relatable messaging about a criminal justice reform ballot measure to appeal to young people to vote. The ad brought in over 150 volunteers and contributed to doubling Ohio’s youth voter turnout from 2014 to 2018.

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Amid COVID-19, SNAP Rolls Out Online Ordering

Cinnamon Janzer

May 21, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

More than a dozen states are participating in a SNAP program, allowing people experiencing economic hardship to purchase food online from retailers. While only certain online retailers allow for food stamp purchases and SNAP users can’t pay for delivery fees with their benefits, more states are piloting the program, which could prove useful for people quarantining from the novel coronavirus.

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How a Former Dry Cleaners Became a Cleveland Community Hub

Cinnamon Janzer

May 07, 2020 |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

PNC Fairfax Connection is a community center run by PNC Bank but separate from its corporate services. The center is free and accessible to all, was built with community-focused design, and seeks to build strong community ties. Programming is based on member input and ranges from social events to professional development resources. For example, over 400 residents attended a concert hosted by the center and another program helped six formerly incarcerated community members to secure employment with resume creation and interview preparation support. The center is currently closed due to Covid-19.

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Minneapolis Launches Mental-Health Fund for COVID Stress Relief

Cinnamon Janzer

May 01, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In Minneapolis, a collaboration between the Division of Race and Equity, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the city’s procurement department has helped establish an emergency mental health fund that aims to more equitably supply resources to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reimbursement-based fund provides clinical counselors with the financial support necessary to increase their caseloads and focus on "helping people of color, women, indigenous people, disabled people, and those who are undocumented."

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Greensboro's Art-Dotted Greenway a Respite During COVID-19, and an Economic Engine After

Cinnamon Janzer

April 28, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Greensboro, North Carolina

The Downtown Greenway in Greensboro was already underway when the coronavirus hit and it has turned out to be quite the respite and economic boon. The Greenway draws visitors in with trails, greenways, public art, local businesses, and "the first grocery store to open in 30 years in downtown.” $8.5 million was invested in the project, but it has already brought in $215 million in revenue. The Downtown Greenway was created in partnership with the city and nonprofit Action Greensboro, and while it's currently being used with social distancing, it'll still be there when the quarantine is over.

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Minneapolis Offers People Experiencing Homelessness a Simple Gift: A Safe Place for Their Stuff

Cinnamon Janzer

March 31, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

A pilot program in Minneapolis is providing a safe place for unhoused residents to store their belongings for free and without any time limits. People experiencing homelessness can often be easily identified as such when lugging around baggage, an indicator that can affect their ability to find employment or negatively impact the quality of healthcare they receive. Although the pilot project was cut short by the shelter-in-place order, the city is looking to continue and expand the program due to the positive response from those experiencing homelessness.

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How St. Louis Took a Proactive Approach to E-Scooter Regulation

Cinnamon Janzer

November 14, 2019 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

A failed bikeshare program left St. Louis prepared for the onlsaught of e-scooters that has been sweeping the nation and left the city ahead of the curve with scooter regulation. The city installed a permit system that easily transferred from the bikeshare program structure - which never launched due to lack of grant money - to scooter usage. The permit system allows any changes to regulations to go through administration, rather than a lengthy legislative process, and ensures scooters are available all over the city rather than just in the wealthier, more developed pockets.

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How Minneapolis Managed a Massive Homeless Encampment

Cinnamon Janzer

February 01, 2019 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, they've dealt with one of the largest encampments of people experiencing homelessness - not by "clearing" it as many other cities do, but by collaborating with local organizations to help residents transition out of the encampment and into housing. Because the encampment's residents were predominantly Native American, Red Lake Nation offered up a small portion of tribal lands to serve as a navigation center for temporary housing while they work on a permanent center for the city's homeless population.

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