Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • Why More Homeless Shelters Are Welcoming Their Clients' Pets

    Studies show that between 5-10 percent of people living in homelessness are believed to have a pet, which could be a barrier to folks looking to spend the night in shelters that do not allow animals. Springs Rescue Mission in Colorado Springs is one of a number of shelters that are beginning to allow pets to board along with their owners in an effort to bring more people in. Animal companionship is a very important relationship and source of comfort and stability for someone experiencing homelessness. Some barriers still exist, however, like shelters that have little funding for sheltering pets.

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  • San Antonio Food Bank on Front Lines of Coronavirus Preparation

    As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, the San Antonio Food Bank is working with other organizations to get more food out into the community. Although volunteer turnout has decreased, the Texas food bank has partnered with groups like Pre-K 4 SA to hand out food to students and their families. Every day, the food bank says it is sending $500,000 worth of food into the community.

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  • Coronavirus Closures Are Wiping Out Artists' Income. These Cities Want to Help

    In the state of Massachusetts, both Boston and Cambridge are offering financial relief to artists who have lost their source of income due to the social distancing guidelines mandated by the coronavirus pandemic. Boston established their artist relief fund on March 12, 2020, offering no-strings-attached allocations of $1,000. The city of Cambridge is matching funds with donations from the Cambridge Community Foundation, New England Development, and other donors. Both immediately received hundreds of applications and are acting now to secure more funding. The city of Denver, CO is also following their lead.

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

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

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

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

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

    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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  • The Runners Helping Each Other Get Back on Track Audio icon

    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

    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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