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In The Age of Coronavirus, Libraries Are Getting Books Into People's Hands — Without Touching

Elizabeth Pandolfi

March 24, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

As public libraries in the United States are forced to close their doors in response to the coronavirus outbreak, librarians are trying new methods of (safely) getting books in the hands of community members. From organizing curbside pickups to books-by-mail services, librarians are adjusting and improvising.

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How Bartenders and Wait Staff Are Making Up for Lost Tips During COVID-19 Quarantine

Oscar Perry Abello

March 24, 2020 |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Bartenders and restaurant workers rely heavily on tips and often work off the books, which puts them in a unique disadvantage when trying to collect financial aid during this pandemic. Some have thought of creative ways to stay in touch with regular customers to ask for tips and others have sought relief from Restaurant Opportunities Centers United which has a membership of 30,000 restaurant workers and has provided half a million dollars in funding. The organization has sought to provide immediate help and is also pushing for long-term structural change such as paid sick leave.

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In Seattle, School Is Out, But Lunch Is Still In

Gregory Scruggs

March 23, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

After Seattle schools closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, school staff quickly mobilized to ensure there would still be a way to distribute free food to students and their families. As the crisis unfolds, the distribution model will likely evolve to best meet the need, organizers explain.

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Bodegas and Corner Stores Are Part of Crisis Response — They're Also Uniquely Vulnerable

Oscar Perry Abello

March 19, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, bodegas offer local supplies in many food deserts across the country. While the bodegas struggle to find funding and stay in business for their neighborhoods, they also fight their way into policy discussions and micro-loan programs to stay afloat for low-income neighbors needing healthy food options.

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Can Volunteer-Run Online Platforms to Support Neighbors In Need Meet Demand?

Julia Hotz

March 19, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As social distancing becomes increasingly important as cities and states work to control the coronavirus outbreak, people in New York are finding creative ways to communicate in order to help one another. In New York City, community members are utilizing a website where volunteers are matched with their vulnerable neighbors' requests for errands, while in Brooklyn, community organizers are using a spreadsheet to connect and find support.

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The Runners Helping Each Other Get Back on Track

Julia Hotz

February 26, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

In New York and across eleven other cities in the United States, a non-profit organization called Back On My Feet leads early morning runs (starting at 5:30am) with members overcoming homelessness and the volunteers who choose to join them. In the course of twelve years, the organization helped over 7,500 members transition into permanent jobs and homes, with 83 percent of members maintaining employment and 70 percent maintaining housing. There are also physical health benefits including lower blood pressure, less dependence on nicotine, and a reduced BMI and obesity risk.

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‘IKEA, but for Parks' Project Streamlines Community Green Space Development

Hannah Chinn

January 30, 2020 |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Vacant lots in the city are being greened with an idea dubbed “IKEA, but for parks” which provides preassembled options to create parks in vacant lots. Community members are given layout and design options to choose from based on how the neighborhood decides to utilize their empty lots. Residents are then provided with supplies and training to build and maintain a public green space. The model allows for efficiency and speed while promoting civic participation.

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An Atlanta Church and a Theater Nonprofit Find Sanctuary Together

Adina Solomon

January 29, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, College Park, Georgia

Collaborations can breathe new life into community churches. In College Park, Georgia, the College Park First United Methodist Church entered into a partnership with PushPush, a theater nonprofit formerly located in the metro Atlanta area. The partnership came about with the help of Good Spaces, a socially-minded real estate development organization.

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This Bank Hired a Community Organizer and Here's What Happened Next

Oscar Perry Abello

January 28, 2020 |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Reducing inequality in the financial sector requires creating connections to underserved communities of color. In Boston, Berkshire Bank has begun an initiative to reach those who are “underbanked.” The bank’s new Reevex Labs facilities use coworking and event spaces to facilitate connections between communities and financial institutions. At Reevex locations, community members can connect to organizations like The Runway Project, which facilitates low-interest loans to entrepreneurs of color.

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As Seattle Seeks to Tax Amazon (Again), What Can It Learn From California?

Gregory Scruggs

January 24, 2020 |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

In 2018, a per-employee tax levied on Amazon and other Seattle businesses making over $20 million a year was struck down by council members with unfavorable polling. In 2020, that same referendum is being brought back to life with renewed support. This article compares Seattle's past failures to San Francisco's current success in implementing a tax inspired by Seattle's. The processes differ in many areas, and this article considers what would happen if Seattle now followed someone else's lead.

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