How the Fight Against Ebola Tested a Culture's Traditions

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/01/150130-ebola-virus-outbreak-epidemic-sierra-leone-funerals

Amy Maxmen

National Geographic

30 January 2015

Text / 1500-3000 Words

In the face of the deadliest Ebola outbreak in modern history, health officials found themselves struggling to prevent the virus from spreading due to clashes with local traditions, cultural mistrust of outsiders, conflict, and misconceptions about healthcare in West Africa. To effectively treat patients and stop the spread of the disease, organizations had to work closely with locals and adapt procedures to incorporate their culture.

Lessons from under the coconut tree

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/09/12/one-boston-teacher-quest-connect-with-his-students/1sUlrC3fmsQTdpkQHXkbgM/story.html

James Vaznis

The Boston Globe

12 September 2015

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Boston professors visit countries and homes of foreign students to better understand their culture and gain insights about how to better teach them. The goal is to reach across cultural divides to help a big part of the student population — emigres from faraway lands — that is plagued with low standardized test scores and high dropout rates. Accompanying photojournalism: http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/bigpicture/2015/09/12/seeking-cultural-connections/L3mIQAQM3v9YT9A2K4JliL/story.html

How Seattle Made Dark Alleys Safer—By Throwing Parties In Them

http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/how-seattle-made-dark-alleys-safer-by-throwing-parties-20150826

Araz Hachadourian

Yes! Magazine

26 August 2015

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Alleys in Seattle were once places of illicit, illegal, and unsanitary activity. The International Sustainability Institute in Seattle began organizing music and art events to bring in people, which, in turn, cleaned-up the crime and garbage. As an urban development strategy, adjacent vacant storefronts re-opened for business and beautification could be seen in new gardens.

MPS looks to Oakland model to work differently with African-American boys

http://www.minnpost.com/learning-curve/2014/05/mps-looks-oakland-model-work-differently-african-american-boys

Beth Hawkins

MinnPost

5 May 2014

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African American boys were being treated less-than-equally by the Oakland Unified School District – a change of culture was implemented and the playing field leveled. Now, Minnesota is looking to adopt the same system that was started in Oakland by creating schools that are exclusively for African American males in hopes to help them reach higher standards of achievement.

Peer Pressure Can Be a Lifesaver

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/peer-pressure-can-be-a-lifesaver

Helen Coster

The New York Times

14 May 2014

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Positive peer pressure - most specifically encouraging community influencers to lead by constructive example - has served as the key to adoption of various technologies and practices to improve quality of life for people worldwide. Whether it's using a new water purification device in Africa or encouraging mothers to breastfeed in South America, it has been behavioral psychology - the human need to meet social norms - more than other incentives that has instigated true and positive change.

As Detroit Flounders, Its Art Scene Flourishes

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/travel/as-detroit-flounders-its-art-scene-flourishes.html?_r=0

Courtney Balestier

The New York Times

6 August 2013

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In 2013, Detroit filed for bankruptcy because of a poor economy. While the city’s industrial businesses have floundered, the art scene has thrived, bringing in new sources of income through art galleries and investments in contemporary art. This new art scene is one factor to measure Detroit’s recovery and prospects of growth for the future.

Curing Violence Like an Infectious Disease

http://www.tinyspark.org/podcasts/curing-violence-like-an-infectious-disease

Amy Costello

Tiny Spark

30 July 2015

Podcast / 5-15 Minutes

Neighborhoods in Chicago suffer from gang violence and gun-related deaths. A church leader and a physician trained in infectious diseases created Cure Violence, a program that sends teams of local residents to meet with gang leaders as a means of producing positive behavioral change by re-setting social norms. Their approach has reduced violence between 40% and 70%.

In Quick Response, Mali Thwarts an Ebola Outbreak

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/health/quick-response-and-old-fashioned-detective-work-thwart-ebola-in-mali.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

Donald G. McNeil Jr.

The New York Times

10 November 2014

Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words

When a case of the Ebola disease struck a little girl in Africa, health officials in Mali collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to contain the illness and quarantine people. The episode also has changed social customs and expanded sanitation procedures so that more people are aware of how to keep themselves healthy.

CDFIs Can Help Native Populations Moving to Cities

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/native-populations-move-to-cities-urban-native-cdfis

Johnny Magdaleno

Next City

19 September 2016

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In Rapid City, South Dakota, talking about money is taboo among Native American families. To help improve their financial situations Black Hills Community Loan Fund offers financial literacy classes. The organization is in the process to be certified as a Native CDFI, a program that will help expand their impact.

Americans Are Getting Their Voluntourism Fix on a New Carnival Cruise

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kwkgxv/a-cruise-with-a-cause-feature-v23n8

Jacob Kushner

Vice

7 November 2016

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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.