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SEPTA quietly decriminalizes jumping turnstiles, lowers fines

Maura Ewing

April 03, 2019 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Transit Authority, SEPTA, has decriminalized fare evasion, with those who are caught facing a $25 fine. This is down from the prior $300 tickets that were issued in the past. The move toward decriminalization is part of a larger shift in the region for the criminal justice system to be less punitive and more rehabilitative, focusing more on addressing root causes of behavior.

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Why your neighborhood school probably doesn't have a playground

Nina Feldman

February 06, 2019 |

WHYY |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Making schoolyards and public spaces green improves the health and wellbeing of communities. But without a way for schools in Philadelphia to allocate more funding toward schoolyard construction, the city’s school district relies largely on philanthropy. In public-private partnerships, the school district contributes a portion of funding to projects lead by nonprofit organizations. Creating greener spaces has many positive second-order effects, acting as an investment the in community.

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San Francisco shares its schoolyards, opening communities to green spaces and one another's lives

Nina Feldman

February 06, 2019 |

WHYY |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Access to green spaces improves the well being of individuals and neighborhoods alike. By turning schoolyards into publicly accessible green spaces, the city of San Francisco’s Shared Schoolyard Program created spaces where not only children, but also urban communities, can interact with and experience nature. The schoolyards provide a vital recreational resource and meeting space for entire neighborhoods and communities.

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A night with Philly's ‘violence interrupters' teams as they offer services to curb bloodshed

Bobby Allyn

December 31, 2018 |

WHYY |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, where the homicide rate recently hit a ten-year high, teams known as violence interrupters are stepping in to employ crisis intervention in high-risk areas. By using several different tactics including social media monitoring and embedding in neighborhoods, the program partners with communities rather than intruding which fosters better trust and leads to more positive results.

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Despite high poverty, why fewer people live on Philly's streets than in other big cities

Aaron Moselle

December 19, 2018 |

WHYY |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Several factors contribute to the successful strategy that keeps people off the streets in Philadelphia, where the poverty rate is the highest among the 10 biggest cities in the country. Having multiple services within comprehensive outreach teams is a critical component as is their caring approach to those who need help. Housing services, both temporary and permanent are also vital. Permanent housing is offered with "wrap-around services" which enable people to stay housed. These include physical and mental help in addition to assistance with obtaining a GED, a license and more.

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'Zero waste' town recycles most of its trash

Sonia Narang

October 18, 2018 |

WHYY |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Japan, Kamikatsu

Kamikatsu, a small town in rural Japan, went from incinerating trash to recycling about 80 percent of it--all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving money. The program is run by Zero Waste Academy, a nonprofit that helps train residents and businesses on best recycling practices. Now, Kamikatsu's success has drawn planners from around the world to learn.

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PA Banking On New Program Providing Inmates With Financial Savvy To Succeed

Sara Hoover

October 08, 2018 |

WHYY |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Two state agencies in Pennsylvania collaborated to launch a program that trains inmates on financial literacy skills in an effort to curb recidivism. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Banking and Securities have reached more than 4,300 inmates through the classes, many of whom have been inside for years and may have never had bank accounts. Research found having a bank account is strongly correlated with not returning to prison and higher employment rates.

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

Taylor Allen

September 24, 2018 |

WHYY |

Text |

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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Making a chore educational: Grocery store experiment aims to inspire learning

Avi Wolfman-Arent

September 10, 2018 |

WHYY |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Recognizing that "much of childhood happens outside the classroom," a Philadelphia initiative is creating opportunities for students to learn basic math concepts and gain basic literacy skills while shopping in the grocery store. "Talk It Up" is part of a long term push to encourage conversation between parents and children and "embed learning in the physical spaces kids inhabit every day."

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How Schools Shape Health

Martha Dalton

August 24, 2018 |

WHYY |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Atlanta, Georgia

Schools in Atlanta are embedding public health clinics in their buildings for both students as well as the public at large. These clinics keep students in school by providing easy access to care rather than having them wait multiple days and begin to fall behind on work.

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